28th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2 Kings 5:14-17; Psalm 98:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19 ~ glory to God

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!

The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!

A Reading from the Old Teastament: 2 Kings 5:14-17 (NLT)

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.

Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD….”

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

This is a trustworthy saying:

If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Intercessions:

Wonder-working God: With a grateful heart, I ask that You, once again, respond to the needs of Your people –

For peace with justice for all in Syria and the Middle East — and an end to war and violence (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For refugees and asylum-seekers — that their dignity may be respected and their rights upheld (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For the men and women chosen to spread the Good News — that they may bear the hardships which come with that task (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For all who suffer disease in our world, that full medical help may be available to rich and poor alike (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For those who suffer isolation today, as the lepers once did — that nothing may deprive them of the support of Christians (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For our emigrants and all who are away from home — that our support may remind them of God’s care for them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.

God of many wonders, you bring salvation to all the earth: Remember your people and grant my prayer, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” – Translator: Clarence A. Walworth; Author (attributed to): Ignace Franz

Holy God, we praise Thy name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee. All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in heav’n above adore Thee. Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the glad celestial hymn / Angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising, Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord: “Holy, holy, holy Lord!”

Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray, By a thousand snares surrounded: Keep us without sin today, Never let us be confounded. Lo, I put my trust in Thee; Never, Lord, abandon me.

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

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Habakuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10 ~ faithful witness

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 (NLT)

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

A Reading from the Prophet Habakuk: Habakuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4 (NLT)

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.

Then the Lord said to me,

“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God….”

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 (NLT)

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me — a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke: Luke 17:5-10 (NLT)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

Intercessions:

Creator God, Maker of heaven and earth, hear the cries of my heart:

For those called to witness to Christ in today’s world, that the Spirit may fill them…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For the success of the Mission of the Church, that Christians may embrace the Gospel and spread its message of mercy, forgiveness and hope…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For all who received the Holy Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation, that the same Spirit may sustain them in difficult moments…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For people who want so much to believe, but find it hard, that a strong faith may grow in them…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For respect for human life, from its beginnings to its last moments: that the life of every person may be valued and protected…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For people who feel so crushed by life that they wish to end it, that they may feel the love of God and know they are never alone…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For the dead, those who died during the week and those whose anniversaries occur; and for all who have died in Christ and are part of God’s flock forever…. Lord, hear my prayer.

O God you are our rock, you made us and know all our needs, listen to our prayers and respond according to your Kingdom purposes, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Christ Is Enough for Me” – Hillsong United

Christ is my reward / And all of my devotion / Now there’s nothing in this world / That could ever satisfy / Through every trial / My soul will sing / No turning back / I’ve been set free

Christ is enough for me / Christ is enough for me / Everything I need is in You / Everything I need

Christ my all in all / The joy of my salvation / And this hope will never fail / Heaven is my home / Through every storm / My soul will sing / Jesus is here / To God be the glory

I have decided to follow Jesus / No turning back / No turning back / The cross before me / The world behind me / No turning back / No turning back

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

Morning Reading: Acts 10.24-48 NLT – no favoritism

Reading: Acts 10:24-48 NLT

They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.

Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”

Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”

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.

“And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Yours is a big family made up of people from every tribe and nation. Give me an open heart towards all who love and serve you. Holy Spirit– Manifest your presence and power in the life of every believer… and show us how to express our praise and longings of our hearts. Lord Jesus – Keep our eyes focused on you, to the end that every knee shall bow and tongue confess you as Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “Show me your glory” – Jesus Culture
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df7XEvFNX-E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Morning Reading: Acts 8.26-40 NLT – Spirit led

Reading: Acts 8:26-40 NLT

As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah.

Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?”

So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”

[Some manuscripts add: Philip said, “You can, if you believe with all your heart.” And he answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – You send your emissaries to every tribe and nation… some go willingly, some go in spite of themselves. But wherever you send me, enable me to see it as another opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus. Holy Spirit – Open my eyes to see the opportunities that you have prepared for me. And give me the courage to seize the moment… and allow you to speak through me. Lord Jesus – May many confess you as Savior and Lord… and be baptized into your family. Amen.

Gospel Hymn: “We have heard the joyful sound” – Priscilla J. Owens
Adaptation by Colin Webster, Cornerstone Church, UK
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Morning Reading: Acts 8.4-25 NLT – power evangelism

Reading: Acts 8:4-25 NLT

But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.

Prayer: Heavenly Father- Search my heart and cleanse me from my evil thoughts. Free me from captivity to sins of commission and omission. Fill me with your Spirit so that I might boldly tell others about the Good News of Jesus. And may your Kingdom purposes be advanced in me and through me. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Change my heart O God” – Eddie Espinosa, Vineyard
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