Tag: Jesus Christ

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 06 Dec – Psalm 137 ~ we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 137 (NLT) –

Beside the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem. We put away our harps, hanging them on the branches of poplar trees. For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you, if I don’t make Jerusalem my greatest joy.

O Lord, remember what the Edomites did on the day the armies of Babylon captured Jerusalem. “Destroy it!” they yelled. “Level it to the ground!” O Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us. Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: We are strangers, living in a pagan, hostile land –

+ we weep in shame for the godlessness of the land of our birth…
+ we weep in sorrow, remembering when we were “one nation under God”…
+ we weep in despair for the corruption of our justice system…
+ we weep in sadness for the futility of our secular society…

O Lord our God: Come quickly to save us. Fill us with songs of “Kingdom come”- already in humility at Christmas; and fully in glory, with righteousness and justice, when Christ Jesus returns. It’s in the name of Christ Jesus that we pray. Amen.
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“Psalm 137” (If I Forget You Jerusalem) – James Block

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Wed, 05 Dec – Psalm 136 ~ His faithful love endures forever.

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 136 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
+is faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
+ His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
+ His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He brought Israel out of Egypt.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He led Israel safely through,
+ His faithful love endures forever.
but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He killed powerful kings—
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites,
+ His faithful love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance—
+ His faithful love endures forever.
a special possession to his servant Israel.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

He remembered us in our weakness.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Your mercy endures forever –

+ for you are good in all you have done, in all your judgements…
+ for you forgive our sins, and remember them no more…
+ for you displace our fears with your loving-kindness…
+ for you are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise…
+ for you welcome home all who repent and return to you…

O Lord our God: Your mercy endures forever, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 136” (Your Mercy Endures) – Greg LaFollette / Leslie Jordan

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Tue, 04 Dec – Psalm 135 ~ Your Name, O Lord, Endures Forever

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 135 (NLT)

Praise the Lord!

Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord, you who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his lovely name with music. For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own special treasure.

I know the greatness of the Lord — that our Lord is greater than any other god. The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths. He causes the clouds to rise over the whole earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.

He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home, both people and animals. He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his people. He struck down great nations and slaughtered mighty kings — Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will give justice to his people and have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

O Israel, praise the Lord! O priests—descendants of Aaron—praise the Lord! O Levites, praise the Lord! All you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord! The Lord be praised from Zion, for he lives here in Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: To you we offer our sacrifice of praise and worship –

+ for you are the ruler of all nature…
+ for you are the ruler of all nations…
+ for you are forever good…
+ for you are forever kind…
+ for you are forever just…
+ for you are forever…

O Lord our God: To you we offer our sacrifice of praise and worship, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 135” – Arabic Greek Byzantine – By the Monks of Simonos Petras Monastery (Athos)

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Mon, 03 Dec – Psalm 134 ~ Come bless the Lord

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 134 (NLT) – A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve at night in the house of the Lord. Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord.

May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: We offer you our sacrifice of praise and worship throughout the day, and especially in the evening –

+ for you are our deliverer from our enemies…
+ for you are our provider and sustainer…
+ for you are our joy and delight in worship…
+ for you are our ever-present helper in times of trouble…
+ for you are our refuge, the guardian of our souls…
+ for you are our redeemer, our sins are forgiven…

O Lord our God: Give us the freedom to worship you in spirit and truth, with all our heart, mind and strength – through faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 134” (Bless the Lord) – Robbie Seay Band

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

First Sunday of Advent – 02 Dec – Luke 21:25-33 ~ The coming of the Son of Man

First Sunday of Advent

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

Opening Prayer

God our Savior, you utter a word of promise and hope and hasten the day of justice and freedom, yet we live in a world forgetful of your word, our watchfulness dulled by the cares of life.

Keep us alert. Make us attentive to your word, ready to look on your Son when he comes with power and great glory. Make us holy and blameless, ready to stand secure when the day of his coming shakes the world with terror.

We ask 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. Amen.
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“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” – Shane & Shane

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart

 

 

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine own sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne
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Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-33 (NLT)

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Faithful God: In your mercy, receive our prayers, the cries of our hearts, and help us –

+ For believers, that we may be ready when Christ returns in glory…
+ For people of good will, that they may receive your mercy and grace through Christ…
+ For people who are lonely and sad, that we may comfort them as we have been comforted in Christ …
+ For people in need, that we may care for them as we await the return of Christ…
+ For people who suffer, that they may receive hope and healing through Christ…
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may enjoy peace and rest in eternity…

Faithful God: You are loving and kind to all who put their trust in you. Extend your grace to us now, in this our time of need, we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending” – Lichfield Cathedral Choir

Lo! He comes with clouds descending, Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending, Swell the triumph of His train:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign.

 

Every eye shall now behold Him, Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him, Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, Shall the true Messiah see.

The dear tokens of His passion, Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation To His ransomed worshipers;
With what rapture, with what rapture, Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen; let all adore thee, High on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory; Claim the kingdoms for thine own:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.
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Blessing –

May almighty God bless us by the light of Christ’s coming, and enrich our lives with every grace. May He make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of our lives. And may He grant us eternal life when our Redeemer comes again in glory.

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