Tag: Good News

The Baptism of the Lord: Isa 42:1-4, 6-7; Psa 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11 ~ annointed with the Holy Spirit and power

The Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord marked the end of Jesus’ quiet years in Nazereth and the start of His public ministry.

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

Opening prayer:

God of salvation, in the river Jordan You bathed Your Son Jesus in glory and revealed Him as Your obedient servant. In spirit and in power rend the heavens and come down to us. Strengthen us to acknowledge Your Christ, that we who are reborn in His likeness may walk with Him the path of obedience. Grant this through Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 (NLT)

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

Baby held in fathers hand _____

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 (NLT)

Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
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The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 10:34-38 (NLT)

Jesus is Baptized

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel — that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:7-11 (NLT)

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
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Intercessions:

Almighty, ever-living God, when Christ was baptized in the river Jordan the Holy Spirit came upon Him and Your voice proclaimed from heaven,  ‘This is My beloved Son.’ Rend the heavens and come to us now in answer to our prayers:

+ For all the baptised – that we may grow in appreciation of the joys and challenges of Christian living….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the children christened, or dedicated, in the past year – that they may grow to maturity under the guidance of their parents and godparents….
Lord, hear us.
+ For adults preparing to be baptised this year – that their devotion may breathe new life into their comunities….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the Christians who will be confirmed in 2015 – that the Spirit who descended at the baptism of Jesus may fill them….
Lord, hear us.
+ For believers who have grown distant from their faith – that in this New Year they may make a new start….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the community of which we are part – that we may grow in faith and in support of one another….
Lord, hear us.
+ For our friends and relatives who have gone before us in faith, and for children who have died around the time of birth – that all we have lost may pass from death to life…. Lord, hear us.

God our helper in times past, grant that we, who by water and the Holy Spirit are Your adopted children, may continue steadfast in Your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

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

The Epiphany of the Lord: Isa 60:1-6; Psa 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-6; Mat 2:1-12 ~ come and worship

The Epiphany of the Lord

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

Opening prayer:

On this the first Sunday of 2015, we come to worship our new-born King… and to seeek God’s guidance and protection as we face the uncertainties of the New Year.
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God most high, Your only Son embraced the weakness of our flesh to give us the power to become Your children; Your eternal Word chose to dwell among us, that we might live in the light of Your presence.

Grant us a spirit of wisdom to know how rich is the glory You have made our own, and how great the hope to which we are called in Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.

As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee, whom heaven and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare at thy manger, rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly king.

Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way; and when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 (NLT)

dawn breaks over Jerusalem

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

“Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense and will come worshiping the Lord.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 (NLT)

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
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May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
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The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts. All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him. He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 3:2-6 (NLT)

God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)

wise men

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
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Oh how I need Your grace / More than my words can say / Jesus I come Jesus I come
In all my weaknesses / You are my confidence / Jesus I come Jesus I come

I will rise stand redeemed / Heaven open over me / To Your name eternally / Endless glory I will bring

Oh what amazing love / We need Your cleansing flood / Jesus I come Jesus I come
In every broken place / You are my righteousness / Jesus I come Jesus I come

Thank You Jesus / Just as I am I come / Hallelujah / Oh what amazing love
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Intercessions:

Amazing God, who in Jesus was made flesh to offer us light and life – hear our prayers:

+ For those who claim the name of Christian – that they may accept the mystery of Jesus, human and divine….
Lord, hear us.
+ For people for whom God seems distant and uncaring – that they see the full beauty of God, revealed in Jesus….
Lord, hear us.
+ For nations where war and strife cause much suffering (especially in the Middle East) – that this New Year may bring peace….
Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians facing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ – that they may have our faithful support….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all of us, in this two thousand and fifteenth year of our Saviour – that we may have the grace and courage to make a new start….
Lord, hear us.
+ For those of us who find life difficult at the moment – that God may pour out his mercy and grace on us….
Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died – that perpetual light may shine on them….
Lord, hear us.

Almighty, ever-living God, light of every faithful soul, fill the world with Your glory and reveal to all nations the splendor of Your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Kumi ori / Ki va orech
U’ch’vod Adonai alayich zarach

Hineh ha’choshech yechaseh eretz / Ve’arafel leumim
Ve’alayich yizrach Adonai / U’ch’vodo alayich yira-eh

Arise, shine / For your light is come
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you

Behold darkness has covered the land / And thick fog over the people
But the LORD will shine upon you / And His glory will appear over you
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Benediction:

May God, the source of every blessing, grant you the fullness of grace and keep you safe throughout the coming year.

May God safeguard the purity of your faith, give you an unwavering hope and a love that patiently endures to the end.

And, may God order your works and days in peace, listen to your every prayer, and lead you safely to eternal life.

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

Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 ~ a child is born

Christmas Eve

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

Opening prayer:

Good and gracious God, on this holy night You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Saviour of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night draw us into the mystery of Your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing Your glory on high.

Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the One for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.

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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 96 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
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A Reading from the Letters: Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:1-14 (NLT)

Holy Night (Birth of Christ) Altdorfer, Albrecht, ca. 1511 Gemäldegalerie (Berlin, Germany)

Holy Night (Birth of Christ)
Altdorfer, Albrecht, ca. 1511
Gemäldegalerie (Berlin, Germany)

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
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Intercessions:

Sisters and brothers, standing together in the brightness of this Christmas celebration, let us ask God to fill the whole world with His light.

+ For those who mark the birth of Christ all over the world this night – that the celebration may bring a refreshing new light to their lives…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence (especially the people of the Middle East) – that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels may become a reality . Lord, hear us.

+ For the hungry, the sick and the homeless – that they may have comfort, healing and friendship…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all the people in our churches who are lonely – that the light Christ may brighten their lives…. Lord, hear us.

+ For our communities and families – that Christ may find the same warm welcome among us as he received from Mary and Joseph and the shepherds that first Christmas night…. Lord, hear us.

+ For our friends who have fallen asleep in Christ, and for all who have died since last Christmas, whom we remember now… – that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs. Lord, hear us.

Maker of heaven and earth, Your Son is born for us, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God: hear our prayers offered with confidence, through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.
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Benediction:

We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh, and we await His return again in glory. May God the almighty and merciful bless You by the light of Christ’s coming, and enrich Your lives with every grace.

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

4th Sunday in Advent: 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Psa 89:2-5, 27-29; Rom 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 ~ King Jesus, enthroned forever

4th Sunday in Advent

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

Opening prayer:

image

Advent is drawing to a close; only four more days left to prepare for the birth of Christ. On this Sunday, we’re invited to follow Mary’s example and imitate her faith.
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Here in our midst, O God of mystery, You disclose the secret hidden for countless ages. For You we wait, for You we listen.

Upon hearing Your voice may we, like Mary, embrace Your will and become a dwelling fit for Your Word.

Grant this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild; Jesus Christ, her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall; with the poor and meek and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

Jesus is our childhood’s pattern; day by day like us he grew; he was little, weak and helpless; tears and smiles like us he knew; and he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.
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A Reading from the Old testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 (NLT)

When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”

Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the Lord said to Nathan,

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?
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“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you — a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.
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“I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.
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“Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 89:2-5, 27-29 (NLT)

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”

All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.
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I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth. I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end. I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 16:25-27 (NLT)

Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
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Intercessions:

Lord God: Your love for us endures forever. In humble confidence, we present our needs to You. Lord, hear us.

+ For all who profess their faith in Christ – that with open hearts we may welcome our Saviour…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Jewish people, descendants of the great King David – that God’s promises to them may be fulfilled…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the members of all religions – that they may grow in tolerance and respect for each other…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people in our faith communities who lack courage – that they may be inspired by Mary’s trust in You…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our relatives and friends coming home for Christmas – that they may travel safely and find peace and rest…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who suffered grief or illness this past year – that their friends may love and support them in times of loneliness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have gone before us in faith, and for all those who have died through acts of violence since last Christmas – that they may receive a welcome in heaven…. Lord, hear us.

O God, Your love for Your people endures forever: hear our prayers and send us Your help, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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O Light Everlasting, O Love never failing. Illumine our darkness and draw us to Thee. May we from Thy spirit receive inspiration As children together Thy wisdom may see. Make known to all nations Thy peace and salvation, And help us O Father, Thy temple to be.
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Benediction:

We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh, and we await His return again in glory. May God the almighty and merciful bless You by the light of Christ’s coming, and enrich Your lives with every grace.

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

Morning Prayer: 7 August – Psalm 97:1; Isaiah 52:7; Galatians 6:14 – on bearing Good News

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentences

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Psalm 97:1

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad.

Isaiah 52:7

St Columba's footprints, Keil, Kintyre. St Columba is credited with bringing Christianity to Scotland way back when and these are supposed to be his footprints.
St Columba’s footprints, Keil, Kintyre.
St Columba is credited with bringing Christianity to Scotland and legend has it that these are his footprints.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Galatians 6:14

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

Reflection

IONA

The conflict must be long. Through many a year
Columba‘s feet those distant hills must tread,
strengthen’d by penance still to persevere;
oft ‘neath their sores the rocky path grew red:
in winter oft the snow became his bed:
but love still bound him to the Crucified.
(R. M. Benson)
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The names of ninety churches and monasteries are associated with Columba‘s name; thirty-seven of these are in Ireland, but fifty-three are in Scotland and the Western Isles. Even if allowance for error is made, the number of his foundations, especially in the Western Isles and on the western coast, is tremendous, from Wigtown in the south to Butt of Lewis in the north and as far west as Saint Kilda.

From these Christian colonies the light of the Gospel spread far and wide throughout the area.
(Reeves and E. W. Stinson)
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Canticle:

Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.

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

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Peanut Gallery: The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) Our Scripture readings and reflections will be taken from the Aidan Daily Readings (Celtic Daily Prayer) during the month of August. On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.