Advent Season | Wednesday 17 Dec 2025: Psalm 42; Zechariah 8:1-17; Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 ~ Jesus’ authority over evil spirits.

Advent Season | Wednesday 17 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you sent your messengers the prophets
to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise make ready your way,
by turning the hearts of the disobedient
toward the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world,
we may be found a people acceptable in your sight;
for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Jesus cast out the evil spirits
with a simple command,
and he healed all the sick.”
(Matthew 8:16)

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From the Psalms: Psalm 42 – Poor Bishop Hooper

as the deer pants out for water
so my soul cries out oh god for you
my soul thirsts for god as water
when can i go out and meet with you

day and night i have only
fear for my food and tears for my drink

my heart it breaks remembering
your house oh god and the joy of the crowds thanksgiving

where is this god of yours i hear them saying
where is this god of yours i hear them saying

oh god my soul sits in despair
awaiting the lord the help of your presence
deep calls to deep at the breakers sound
waves over me the tide the tumult the sea

where is this god of yours i hear them saying
where is this god of yours i hear them saying

oh lord god my rock why have you forgot
why must I wander in my sorrow
enemies they taunt words with pain and rot
questions all day long where has your god gone

where is this god of yours i hear them saying
my hope is in you still

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OT Reading: Zechariah 8:1-17 (NLT)

Promised Blessings for Jerusalem

8:1 Then another message came to me from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!

“And now the Lord says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west. I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building. Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.

“But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!

“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”

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Ha Bracha (The Blessing in Hebrew) at The Tower of David Jerusalem – Hila Ben David

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NT Reading: Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 (NLT)

Jesus Heals Many People

8:14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,

“He took our sicknesses
and removed our diseases.”

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

8:28 When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area.

They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.

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Majesty Worship His Majesty | Ron Kenoly | A Sanctuary For You

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP 2019

Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health: We implore your mercy for those who are sick, that by your blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them with your healing gifts, they may be restored to health of body, mind and spirit, according to your gracious will, and may give thanks to you in your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God: We pray for deliverance – and speak the Name of Jesus – over every person suffering from the torment of demonic spirits; deliver them from evil; and restore them to strength of mind and cheerfulness of spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem: Protect your people from the machinations of the evil one; and grant Israel’s leaders your heavenly wisdom, and the courage to do what’s right in your sight. Unite all your people around the common goal of restoration and peace, that they might return to you – the one true God – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.

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

Advent Season | Tuesday 16 Dec 2025: Psalm 42; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Jude 1:17-25 ~ Build each other up in faith.

Advent Season | Tuesday 16 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

“You must show mercy
to those whose faith is wavering.”
(Jude 1:22)

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From the Psalms: Psalm 42 – Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call | KeithandKristyn Getty

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OT Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NLT)

The River of Healing

47:1 In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.

47:3 Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.

47:6 He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank. When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

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River of Healing | Gospel Blues

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NT Reading: Jude 1:17-25 (NLT)

A Call to Remain Faithful

1:17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

1:20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

1:22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

A Prayer of Praise

1:24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

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Rescue the Perishing | Altar of Praise Chorale / SE Samonte

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP 2019

Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.

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

Advent Season | Monday 15 Dec 2025: Psalm 42; Isaiah 29:17-24; Acts 5:12-16 ~ Many people believed and were healed.

Advent Season | Monday 15 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

“The apostles were performing
many miraculous signs and wonders
among the people.”
(Acts 5:12)

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From the Psalms: Psalm 42 – (I Will Praise Him Again) | Live CityAlight

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OT Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24 (NLT)

29:17 Soon—and it will not be very long—
the forests of Lebanon will become a fertile field,
and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.
+ In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book,
and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness.
+ The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord.
The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
+ The scoffer will be gone,
the arrogant will disappear,
and those who plot evil will be killed.
+ Those who convict the innocent
by their false testimony will disappear.
A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice
and who tell lies to destroy the innocent.

20:22 That is why the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the people of Israel,

“My people will no longer be ashamed
or turn pale with fear.
+ For when they see their many children
and all the blessings I have given them,
they will recognize the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob.
They will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
+ Then the wayward will gain understanding,
and complainers will accept instruction.

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Holy One Of Israel | GC Worship (Ft. Jaclyn Belford)

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NT Reading: Acts 5:12-16 (NLT)

The Apostles Heal Many

5:12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

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I Speak Jesus | Here Be Lions / Integrity Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP 2019

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health to 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 those for whom our prayers are desired]; 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 beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.

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

Advent Season | 3rd Sunday 14 Dec 2025: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 ~ Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Advent Season | 3rd Sunday 14 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you sent your messengers the prophets
to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise make ready your way,
by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world,
we may be found a people acceptable in your sight;
for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

“Dear brothers and sisters,
be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.”
(James 5:7)

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Canticle of the Turning – “Safety Harbor” / tranceseraph

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OT Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 (NLT)

Hope for Restoration

35:1 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
+ Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.
+ With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
+ Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”

35:5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
+ The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
+ The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
where desert jackals once lived.

35:8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
+ Lions will not lurk along its course,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
+ Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

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The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise Luke 1:46b-55 (NLT)

My Soul Proclaims | Francesca LaRosa and Sarah Hart

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NT Reading: James 5:7-10 (NLT)

Patience and Endurance

5:7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

5:9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

5:10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus | Reawaken Hymns

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11 (NLT)

11:2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

11:4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’

11:11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

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Gaudete – Steeleye Span / Robert Allen

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP 2019

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.

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear our prayers, and grant that in our local assemblies the pure Word of God may be preached and the Sacraments duly administered. Strengthen and confirm the faithful; protect and guide the children; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the wicked; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of your truth; and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church, to the honor and glory of your Name; 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 Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.

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

Advent Season | Saturday 13 Dec 2025: Psalm 146:5-10; 1 Samuel 2:1-8; Luke 3:1-18 ~ Does your lifestyle reflect repentance and godliness?

Advent Season | Saturday 13 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

Blessed Lord,
who caused all Holy Scriptures
to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them,
that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word
we may embrace and ever hold fast
the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Prove by the way you live
that you have repented of your sins
and turned to God.”
(Luke 3:8)

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From the Psalms: Psalm 146 – What Joy (Psalm 146) – Sarah Emerson / crossingctr

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OT Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1-8 (NLT)

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

2:1 Then Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
The Lord has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
I rejoice because you rescued me.
+ No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

2:3 “Stop acting so proud and haughty!
Don’t speak with such arrogance!
For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done;
he will judge your actions.
+ The bow of the mighty is now broken,
and those who stumbled are now strong.
+ Those who were well fed are now starving,
and those who were starving are now full.
The childless woman now has seven children,
and the woman with many children wastes away.
+ The Lord gives both death and life;
he brings some down to the grave but raises others up.
+ The Lord makes some poor and others rich;
he brings some down and lifts others up.
+ He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
placing them in seats of honor.
For all the earth is the Lord’s,
and he has set the world in order.

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Hannah’s Prayer | Liberty Worship Collective

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NT Reading: Luke 3:1-18 (NLT)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3:1 It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!
The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
And then all people will see
the salvation sent from God.’”

3:7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

3:10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

+ John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

3:12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

+ He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

3:14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

+ John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

3:15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

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Prepare The Way of the Lord | Entrance Hymn for the 2nd Sunday in Advent – BJ Giman