Tag: jesus

Tuesday of The 6th Week of Easter, 19 May 2020 – John 16:5-11, Acts 16:22-34, Psalm 138 ~ Under conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement.

Tuesday of The 6th Week of Easter, 19 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, grant your people constant joy in the renewed vigor of our souls. We rejoice because you have restored us to the glory of your adopted children: let us look forward gladly in the certain hope of resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I will send the Holy Spirit to you. He will guide you into all truth..

A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:5-11 (NLT)

The Work of the Holy Spirit

“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 16:22-34 (NLT)

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
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Responsorial Psalm 138 (NLT)

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
will sing your praises before the gods.

+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me strength.

+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,
for all of them will hear your words.
Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,
for the glory of the Lord is very great.
Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
but he keeps his distance from the proud.

+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.

+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
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Psalm 138 – Psalm Project Africa

Closing: John 16:7,13

I will send the Holy Spirit to you. He will guide you into all truth.

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

Monday of The 6th Week of Easter, 18 May 2020 – John 15:26-16:4, Psalm 149, Acts 16:11-15 ~ “The Spirit of Truth will testify all about me.”

Monday of The 6th Week of Easter, 18 May 2020

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

Opening:

God of mercy, let the mystery we celebrate at Eastertide bear fruit for us in every season. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I will send you the Spirit of truth.
He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:26-16:4 (NLT)

I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 16:11-15 (NLT)

Lydia of Philippi Believes in Jesus

We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
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Responsorial Psalm149 (NLT)

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.

+ For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.

O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.

+ For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.

Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp.

+ For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.

Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.
Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.

+ For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.

Let the praises of God be in their mouths,
This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones.

+ For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
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Psalm 149 HalleluYah – James Block

Closing: John 15:26-27

“The Spirit of truth… will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me.”

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

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, 17 May 2020 – John 14:15-21, Psalm 66, 1 Peter 3:15-18 ~ The Holy Spirit will never leave you.

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, 17 May 2020 

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

Opening:

Faithful God, who loves us in Christ Jesus, send your Spirit of truth to dwell within us, that we may always reject what is false, live by the commands of Christ, and be true to the love you have shown us. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

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Love divine all loves excelling – Keswick Praise

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:15-21 (NLT)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
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Come Holy Spirit, Come (Bo, Ruach Elohim) – Beth Sar Shalom Worship Band

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Prayers of Intercession:

Our Father in heaven: How awesome are your works! Hear the prayers of all who cry out to you for help. We pray especially –

+ for church leaders around the world, that they may be guided by your Spirit of truth through these difficult times….
+ for governmental leaders around the world, that they may reflect your wisdom and loving-kindness in their decision-making….
+ for believers around the world, that we may face our fears with faith and confidence, knowing that you are the true ruler of the nations….
+ for the sick and elderly  in hospitals and nursing homes, that they may receive hope, help, and healing through your ever-present Spirit….
+ for those who attend the sick and support the afflicted, that they may be protected and strengthened in their ministries of mercy….
+ for those who lost jobs and are suffering great financial hardship, that their places of business may be opened safely and soon….
+ for those who are troubled and despairing, that you may lead them through “fire and flood” to a place of restoration and peace….

Our Father in heaven: You are the God of love and compassion; our lives are in your hands. Show us your miracle-working power, that we may declare your glory and tell the whole world what you have done for us. Through Jesus Christ, your Son our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.

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Psalm 66 (You Are Great) – Robbie Seay Band

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A Reading from the Epistles: 1 Peter 3:15-18 (NLT)

You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
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And we shall rise! – Beth Sar Shalom

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Closing: John 14:23 (NLT)

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday of The 5th Week of Easter, 16 May 2020 – Psalm 100, Acts 16:1-10, John 15:18-21 ~ What did you expect?

Saturday of The 5th Week of Easter, 16 May 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty, ever-living God, you gave us the life of heaven by the new birth of baptism; you implanted in us the seed of eternity by your gift of grace. Lead us, in your providence, to the fullness of glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Psalm 100 (Enter In)) – People and Songs

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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 16:1-10(NLT)

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

A Call from Macedonia

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
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Responsorial Psalm 100(NLT)

+ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

+ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

+ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.
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Psalm 100 – Chris Tomlin

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Closing: Colossians 3:1 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

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

Friday of The 5th Week of Easter, 15 May 2020 – John 15:12-17, Acts 15:22-31, Psalm 57 ~ This is my command: Love each other.

Friday of The 5th Week of Easter, 15 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, grant that the Easter mystery may shape our lives, so that what we celebrate with joy may be our constant defense and salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“This is my commandment:
Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:12-17 (NLT)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
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Responsorial Psalm 57:8-9, 10, 12 (NLT)

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
I will wake the dawn with my song.

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 15:22-31(NLT)

The Letter for Gentile Believers

Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
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(Be Exalted O God) – Kimberly Douma

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Closing: John 15:17 (NLT)

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

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