After Pentecost | Sunday 09 Jun 2024: Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 ~ Jesus’ true brothers and sisters.

After Pentecost | Sunday 09 Jun 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Grant, O Lord,
that the course of this world may be
so peaceably ordered by your providence,
that your Church may joyfully serve you
in quiet confidence and godly peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus:
“Whoever does what God wants
is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Mark 3:35)

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Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Tune: Lyngham) |  Chet Valley Churches

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OT Reading: Genesis 3:8-15 (GW)

3:8 In the cool of the evening, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking around in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden. The Lord God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”

He answered, “I heard you in the garden. I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

God asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat fruit from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man answered, “That woman, the one you gave me, gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”

“The snake deceived me, and I ate,” the woman answered.

So the Lord God said to the snake, “Because you have done this,

You are cursed more than all the wild or domestic animals.
You will crawl on your belly.
You will be the lowest of animals as long as you live.
I will make you and the woman hostile toward each other.
I will make your descendants
and her descendant hostile toward each other.
He will crush your head,
and you will bruise his heel.”

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From the Psalms: Psalm 130I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130) – Shane & Shane | Music Meets heaven

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NT Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 (GW)

4:13 The following is written, “I believed; therefore, I spoke.” We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak. We know that the one who brought the Lord Jesus back to life will also bring us back to life through Jesus. He will present us to God together with you.

All this is for your sake so that, as God’s kindness  overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever.

Faith Guides Our Lives

5:1 We know that if the life we live here on earth is ever taken down like a tent, we still have a building from God. It is an eternal house in heaven that isn’t made by human hands.

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Lord I Believe In You | Hyles-Anderson College | C J Wong

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Gospel Reading: Mark 3:20-35 (GW)

Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul

3:20 Then Jesus went home. Another crowd gathered so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard about it, they went to get him. They said, “He’s out of his mind!”

The experts in Moses’ Teachings who had come from Jerusalem said, “Beelzebul is in him,” and “He forces demons out of people with the help of the ruler of demons.”

Jesus called them together and used this illustration: “How can Satan force out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household will not last. So if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot last. That will be the end of him.

“No one can go into a strong man’s house and steal his property. First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through the strong man’s house and steal his property.

“I can guarantee this truth: People will be forgiven for any sin or curse. But whoever curses the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He is guilty of an everlasting sin.” Jesus said this because the experts in Moses’ Teachings had said that he had an evil spirit.

The True Family of Jesus

3:31 Then his mother and his brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent someone to ask him to come out. The crowd sitting around Jesus told him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.”

He replied to them, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Then looking at those who sat in a circle around him, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does what God wants is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Lead Me, LordJohn Becker [Official Lyric Video]OCP Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts  of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy  Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the Oct 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions,  we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

After Pentecost | Sunday 02 Jun 2024: Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23-3:6 ~ A Holy Day for help, healing and hope.

After Pentecost | Sunday 02 Jun 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

O God, the protector of all those who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
Increase and multiply upon us your mercy,
that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal
that we lose not the things eternal;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then [Jesus] added,
“The day of rest—a holy day,
was made for people, not people
for the day of rest.”
(Mark 2:2)

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The Sabbath Song – Derrol Sawyer / Mabe line

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OT Reading: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (GW)

5:12 “Observe the day of rest as a holy day. This is what the Lord your God has commanded you. You have six days to do all your work. The seventh day is the day of rest—a holy day dedicated to the Lord your God. You, your sons, your daughters, your male and female slaves, your oxen, your donkeys—all of your animals—even the foreigners living in your city must never do any work ⌞on that day⌟. In this way your male and female slaves can rest as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God used his mighty hand and powerful arm to bring you out of there. This is why the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the day of rest as a holy day.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 81Hymn “Sing for joy to God our Saviour” / Psalm Musicals – Christian Music Channel

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NT Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (GW)

4:5 Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face.

Our bodies are made of clay, yet we have the treasure of the Good News in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our troubles. We’re frustrated, but we don’t give up. We’re persecuted, but we’re not abandoned. We’re captured, but we’re not killed. We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our bodies. While we are alive, we are constantly handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our mortal nature. Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

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All about JesusTaya / GoodnsMusic

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Gospel Reading: Mark 2:23-3:6 (GW)

Jesus Has Authority over the Day of Rest—a Holy Day

2:23 Once on a day of rest—a holy day, Jesus was going through the grainfields. As the disciples walked along, they began to pick the heads of grain.

The Pharisees asked him, “Look! Why are your disciples doing something that is not permitted on the day of rest—a holy day?”

Jesus asked them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he and his men were in need and were hungry? Haven’t you ever read how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was chief priest and ate the bread of the presence? He had no right to eat those loaves. Only the priests have that right. Haven’t you ever read how he also gave some of it to his men?”

Then he added, “The day of rest—a holy day, was made for people, not people for the day of rest. For this reason the Son of Man has authority over the day of rest—a holy day.”

Jesus Heals on the Day of Rest—a Holy Day

3:1 Jesus went into a synagogue again. A man who had a paralyzed hand was there. The people were watching Jesus closely. They wanted to see whether he would heal the man on the day of rest—a holy day, so that they could accuse him of doing something wrong.

So he told the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stand in the center ⌞of the synagogue⌟.” Then he asked them, “Is it right to do good or to do evil on the day of rest—a holy day, to give a person back his health or to let him die?”

But they were silent. Jesus was angry as he looked around at them. He was deeply hurt because their minds were closed. Then he told the man, “Hold out your hand.” The man held it out, and his hand became normal again.

The Pharisees left, and with Herod’s followers they immediately plotted to kill Jesus.

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In Jesus’ Name (God of Possible) | FBA Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly plead for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate, [especially in the Holy Land]; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their  afflictions. And this we pray for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically; and
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones; and
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the Oct 7th atrocities; and
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, healing, and hope; and
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions,  we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Trinity Sunday | 26 May 2024: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17 ~ Holy! Holy! Holy!

Trinity Sunday | 26 May 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your
servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge
the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine
Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith
and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and
eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit
live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory.”
(Isaiah 6:3)

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Holy, Holy, HolyHillsong United / Pastor Madeline

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OT Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8 (GW)

Isaiah Is Sent with a Message for the Lord’s People

6:1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple. Angels  were standing above him. Each had six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They called to each other and said,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory.”

Their voices shook the foundations of the doorposts, and the temple filled with smoke.

So I said, “Oh, no!

I’m doomed.
Every word that passes through my lips is sinful.
I live among people with sinful lips.
I have seen the king, the Lord of Armies!”

Then one of the angels flew to me. In his hand was a burning coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “This has touched your lips. Your guilt has been taken away, and your sin has been forgiven.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom will I send? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

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From the Psalms: Psalm 29 – Holy (Psalm 29) | FBA Worship

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NT Reading: Romans 8:12-17 (GW)

8:12 So, brothers and sisters, we have no obligation to live the way our corrupt nature wants us to live. If you live by your corrupt nature, you are going to die. But if you use your spiritual nature to put to death the evil activities of the body, you will live. Certainly, all who are guided by God’s Spirit are God’s children. You haven’t received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God’s adopted children by which we call out, “Abba!  Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. If we are his children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share his glory, we are heirs together with him.

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No Longer Slaves | Zach Williams (Live from Harding Prison)

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Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17 (GW)

A Conversation with Nicodemus

3:1 Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish council. He came to Jesus one night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that God has sent you as a teacher. No one can perform the miracles you perform unless God is with him.”

Jesus replied to Nicodemus, “I can guarantee this truth: No one can see God’s kingdom without being born from above.”

Nicodemus asked him, “How can anyone be born when he’s an old man? He can’t go back inside his mother a second time to be born, can he?”

Jesus answered Nicodemus, “I can guarantee this truth: No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born of water and the Spirit. Flesh and blood give birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit gives birth to things that are spiritual. Don’t be surprised when I tell you that all of you must be born from above. The wind  blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where the wind comes from or where it’s going. That’s the way it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus replied, “How can that be?”

Jesus told Nicodemus, “You’re a well-known teacher of Israel. Can’t you understand this? I can guarantee this truth: We know what we’re talking about, and we confirm what we’ve seen. Yet, you don’t accept our message. If you don’t believe me when I tell you about things on earth, how will you believe me when I tell you about things in heaven? No one has gone to heaven except the Son of Man, who came from heaven.

“As Moses lifted up the snake ⌞on a pole⌟ in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. Then everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”

God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.

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John 3:16Worship in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, Korean and Persian | One For Israel Ministry

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with  compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the  walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your  purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly  throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the Oct 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions,  we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Day of Pentecost | Sunday 19 May 2024: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:24-35; Romans 8:22-27; John 14:8-17 ~ The Holy Spirit lives with you and is in you.

Day of Pentecost | Sunday 19 May 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Almighty God, on this day,
through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation:
Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel
your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

“I will ask the Father,
and he will give you [the Spirit of Truth]
who will be with you forever.”
(John 14:16)

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Holy Spirit Living Breath of God (Official Lyric Video) – Keith & Kristyn Getty

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Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 2:1-11 (GW)

The Believers Are Filled with the Holy Spirit

2:1 When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.

Devout Jewish men from every nation were living in Jerusalem. They gathered when they heard the wind. Each person was startled to recognize his own dialect when the disciples spoke.

Stunned and amazed, the people in the crowd said, “All of these men who are speaking are Galileans. Why do we hear them speaking in our native dialects? We’re Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. We’re people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the country near Cyrene in Libya. We’re Jewish people, converts to Judaism, and visitors from Rome, Crete, and Arabia. We hear these men in our own languages as they tell about the miracles that God has done.”

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From the Psalms: Psalm 104“Lord, Send Out Your Spirit”Francesca LaRosa (Official Lyric Video)

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Reading from the Letters: Romans 8:22-27 (GW)

8:22 We know that all creation has been groaning with the pains of childbirth up to the present time.

However, not only creation groans. We, who have the Spirit as the first of God’s gifts, also groan inwardly. We groan as we eagerly wait for our adoption, the freeing of our bodies ⌞from sin⌟. We were saved with this hope in mind. If we hope for something we already see, it’s not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to.

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One Spirit, One Church with lyrics by Keil / Immaculate Conception Church

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Reading from the Gospels: John 14:8-17 (GW)

14:8 Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us.”

Jesus replied, “I have been with all of you for a long time. Don’t you know me yet, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? What I’m telling you doesn’t come from me. The Father, who lives in me, does what he wants. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe me because of the things I do.

“I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father. I will do anything you ask ⌞the Father⌟ in my name so that the Father will be given glory because of the Son. If you ask me to do something, I will do it.

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.

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Spirit of God Descend Upon My HeartThe Joslin Grove Choral Society

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that  with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you alone gave us the breath of life, and you alone can keep alive in us the holy desires you impart. We beseech you, for your  compassion’s sake, to sanctify all our thoughts and endeavors, that we may neither begin an action without a pure intention nor continue it without  your blessing. And grant that, having the eyes of our mind enlightened to behold things invisible and unseen, we may in heart be inspired by your  wisdom, in work be upheld by your strength, and in the end be accepted as your faithful servants; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift justice and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Deliver the hostages from captivity and restore their souls. Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily,  politically, diplomatically – and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our  ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

After The Lord’s Ascension | Sunday 12 May 2024: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 ~ Jesus: Use the truth to be holy.

After The Lord’s Ascension | Sunday 12 May 2024

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

O God, the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit
to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place
where our Savior Christ has gone before;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

“I’m dedicating myself to this holy work
I’m doing for them so that they, too,
will use the truth to be holy.”
(John 17:19)

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Love divine all loves excellingcitrail

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Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (GW)

1:15 At a time when about 120 disciples had gathered together, Peter got up and spoke to them.

He said, “Brothers, what the Holy Spirit predicted through David in Scripture about Judas had to come true. Judas led the men to arrest Jesus. He had been one of us and had been given an active role in this ministry….

1:21 He must be one of the men who accompanied Jesus with us the entire time that the Lord Jesus was among us. This person must have been with us from the time that John was baptizing people to the day that Jesus was taken from us.”

The disciples determined that two men were qualified. These men were Joseph (who was called Barsabbas and was also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s thoughts. Show us which of these two you have chosen. Show us who is to take the place of Judas as an apostle, since Judas abandoned his position to go to the place where he belongs.”

They drew names to choose an apostle. Matthias was chosen and joined the eleven apostles.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 1Sons of Korah

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Reading from the Letters: 1 John 5:9-13 (GW)

5:9 We accept human testimony. God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony that he has given about his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them. Those who don’t believe God have made God a liar. They haven’t believed the testimony that God has given about his Son.

This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son. The person who has the Son has this life. The person who doesn’t have the Son of God doesn’t have this life.

Conclusion

5:13 I’ve written this to those who believe in the Son of God so that they will know that they have eternal life.

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God So Loved / We The Kingdom

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Reading from the Gospels: John 17:6-19 (GW)

17:6 “I made your name known to the people you gave me. They are from this world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They did what you told them. Now they know that everything you gave me comes from you, because I gave them the message that you gave me. They have accepted this message, and they know for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.

“I pray for them. I’m not praying for the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours. Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine. I have been given glory by the people you have given me. I won’t be in the world much longer, but they are in the world, and I’m coming back to you. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me, so that their unity may be like ours. While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me. I watched over them, and none of them, except one person, became lost. So Scripture came true.

“But now, ⌞Father,⌟ I’m coming back to you. I say these things while I’m still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have. I have given them your message. But the world has hated them because they don’t belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. They don’t belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.

“Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth. I have sent them into the world the same way you sent me into the world. I’m dedicating myself to this holy work I’m doing for them so that they, too, will use the truth to be holy.

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HolinessSarah Hart / OCPmusic

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your  Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such  purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ  our Savior. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift justice and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Deliver the hostages from captivity and restore their souls. Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily,  politically, diplomatically – and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out  your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.