New Year’s Day | Monday 01 Jan 2024: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalm 8; Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25:31-46 ~ Live with eternity in mind.

New Year’s Day | Monday 01 Jan 2024

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

Opening:

God of new beginnings,
you wipe away our tears
and call us to care for one another.
Give us eyes to see your gifts,
hearts to embrace all creation,
and hands to serve you every day of our lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

It is beautiful
how God has done everything at the right time.
He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds.
Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing
from the beginning to the end ⌞of time⌟.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)

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Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – The Master’s Seminary Chorus | Grace Community Church – Sun Valley, California

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From the Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 (GW)

Everything in God’s Own Time

3:1 Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven:

- a time to be born and
  time to die,
- a time to plant and
  a time to pull out what was planted,
- a time to kill and
  a time to heal,
- a time to tear down and
  a time to build up,
- a time to cry and
  a time to laugh,
- a time to mourn and
  a time to dance,
- a time to scatter stones and
  a time to gather them,
- a time to hug and
  a time to stop hugging,
- a time to start looking and
  a time to stop looking,
- a time to keep and
  a time to throw away,
- a time to tear apart and
  a time to sew together,
- a time to keep quiet and
  a time to speak out,
- a time to love and
  a time to hate,
- time for war and
  a time for peace.

God Gives Mortals a Sense of Eternity

3:9 What do working people gain from their hard labor? I have seen mortals weighed down with a burden that God has placed on them. It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end ⌞of time⌟.

I realize that there’s nothing better for them to do than to be cheerful and enjoy what is good in their lives. It is a gift from God to be able to eat and drink and experience the good that comes from every kind of hard work.

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From the Psalms: Psalm 8 – “How Majestic” | Shane & Shane

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From the Epistles: Revelation 21:1-6a (GW)

A New Heaven and a New Earth

2:21 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and earth had disappeared, and the sea was gone. Then I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, dressed like a bride ready for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “God lives with humans! God will make his home with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won’t be any more death. There won’t be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared.”

The one sitting on the throne said, “I am making everything new.” He said, “Write this: ‘These words are faithful and true.’ ” He said to me, “It has happened! I am the A and the Z, the beginning and the end.

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All Things New | Hillsong Worship (Cape Town)

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 (GW)

Jesus Will Judge the World

25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. The people of every nation will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right but the goats on his left.

“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then the people who have God’s approval will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“The king will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant ⌞they seemed⌟, you did for me.’

“Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels! I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me into your homes. I needed clothes, and you didn’t give me anything to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t take care of me.’

“They, too, will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or in need of clothes or sick or in prison and didn’t help you?’

“He will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you failed to do for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant ⌞they seemed⌟, you failed to do for me.’

“These people will go away into eternal punishment, but those with God’s approval will go into eternal life.”

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Whatsoever You Do To The Least of My People OLPS OCD 2019 Dani

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, especially in the Middle East; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically and especially, to those who will restore Israel spiritually through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May God, who has called us out of darkness
into his marvelous light,
bless us and fill us with peace.

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

After Christmas Day | 1st Sunday 31 Dec 2023: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40 ~ Jesus – a light to the nations and the glory of Israel

After Christmas Day | 1st Sunday 31 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

Almighty God, you have poured upon us
the new light of your incarnate Word:
Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

“He is a light
that will reveal ⌞salvation⌟ to the nations
and bring glory to your people Israel.”
(Luke 2:32)

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O Come All Ye Faithful – (Casting Crowns)

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From the Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (GW)

61:10 I will find joy in the Lord.
I will delight in my God.
He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation.
He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness
like a bridegroom with a priest’s turban,
like a bride with her jewels.
Like the ground that brings forth its crops
and like a garden that makes the seed in it grow,
so the Almighty Lord will make righteousness and praise
spring up in front of all nations.

Jerusalem’s Salvation Is Coming

62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not remain silent.
For Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until its righteousness shines like the dawn
and its salvation burns brightly like a torch.
The nations will see your righteousness.
All kings will see your glory.
You will be given a new name
that the Lord will announce.
Then you will be a beautiful crown in the hand of the Lord,
a royal crown in the hand of your God.

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From the Psalms:Psalm148 – Sons of Korah

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From the Epistles: Galatians 4:4-7 (GW)

4:4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son ⌞into the world⌟. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of the laws given to Moses. God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children. Because you are God’s children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call out, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer slaves but God’s children. Since you are God’s children, God has also made you heirs.

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Because He Lives (Official Music Video) | Celtic Worship

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Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40 (GW)

2:22 After the days required by Moses’ Teachings to make a mother clean had passed, Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem. They took Jesus to present him to the Lord. They did exactly what was written in the Lord’s Teachings: “Every firstborn boy is to be set apart as holy to the Lord.” They also offered a sacrifice as required by the Lord’s Teachings: “a pair of mourning doves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon’s Prophecy

2:25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He lived an honorable and devout life. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel. The Holy Spirit was with Simeon and had told him that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah, whom the Lord would send.

Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courtyard. Mary and Joseph were bringing the child Jesus into the courtyard at the same time. They brought him so that they could do for him what Moses’ Teachings required. Then Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God by saying,

“Now, Lord, you are allowing your servant to leave in peace
as you promised.
My eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people to see.
He is a light that will reveal ⌞salvation⌟ to the nations
and bring glory to your people Israel.”

Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is the reason that many people in Israel will be condemned and many others will be saved. He will be a sign that will expose the thoughts of those who reject him. And a sword will pierce your heart.”

Anna’s Prophecy

2:36 Anna, a prophet, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. Her husband had died seven years after they were married, and she had been a widow for 84 years. Anna never left the temple courtyard but worshiped day and night by fasting and praying. At that moment she came up to Mary and Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.

After doing everything the Lord’s Teachings required, Joseph and Mary returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was with him.

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Simeon’s Song: Scholé Songs

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. 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.

After Christmas Day | Saturday 30 Dec 2023: Psalm 148; Proverbs 9:1-12; 2 Peter 3:8-13 ~ the promise of a new heaven and earth

After Christmas Day | Saturday 30 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

Almighty God,
you have given your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and to be born of a pure virgin:
Grant that we, who have been born again
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the same Spirit
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

“We look forward to what God has promised
—a new heaven and a new earth—
a place where everything
that has God’s approval lives.”
(2 Peter 3:13)

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From Psalms: Psalm 148 – Hebrew Worship – תְּהִלִּים 148 – Aleph with Beth

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OT Reading: Proverbs 9:1-12 (GW)

Wisdom Hosts a Banquet

9:1 Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has set her table.
She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls from the highest places in the city,
“Whoever is gullible turn in here!”

She says to a person without sense,
“Come, eat my bread,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Stop being gullible and live.
Start traveling the road to understanding.”

Wisdom Prolongs Life

9:7 Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse.
Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt.
Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.
Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
Give ⌞advice⌟ to a wise person,
and he will become even wiser.
Teach a righteous person,
and he will learn more.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

You will live longer because of me,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will help you.

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1000 Israeli musicians sing with one voice, BRING THEM HOME! – Homeland concert | One For Israel Ministry

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NT Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-13 (GW)

3:8 Dear friends, don’t ignore this fact: One day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed.

All these things will be destroyed in this way. So think of the kind of holy and godly lives you must live as you look forward to the day of God and eagerly wait for it to come. When that day comes, heaven will be on fire and will be destroyed. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and melt. But we look forward to what God has promised—a new heaven and a new earth—a place where everything that has God’s approval lives.

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You Make All Things New – Trent (Vineyard Worship)

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father: Pour out your Spirit on your faithful people in the Middle East, that your Son’s life-giving Gospel may be preached to every tribe and nation. 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.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May God, who has called us out of darkness
into his marvelous light,
bless us and fill us with peace.

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

After Christmas Day | Friday 29 Dec 2023: Psalm 148; Isaiah 49:5-15; Matthew 12:46-50 ~ the compassion of God

After Christmas Day | Friday 29 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

Sing with joy, you heavens!
Rejoice, you earth!
Break into shouts of joy, you mountains!
The Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his humble people.
(Isaiah 49:13)

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From Psalms: Psalm 148 – “Highly Exalted” | Sixteen Cities

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OT Reading: Isaiah 49:5-15 (GW)

49:5 The Lord formed me in the womb to be his servant
in order to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to him.
(The Lord honors me,
and my God has become my strength.)

Now, the Lord says,

“You are not just my servant
who restores the tribes of Jacob
and brings back those in Israel whom I have preserved.
I have also made you a light for the nations
so that you would save people all over the world.”

The Lord is the defender of Israel, its Holy One.

This is what the Lord says to the despised one, to the one scorned by the nation, to the slave of rulers:

Kings will see ⌞you⌟ and stand.
Princes will see ⌞you⌟ and bow.
The Lord is faithful.
The Holy One of Israel has chosen you.

This is what the Lord says:

In the time of favor I will answer you.
In the day of salvation I will help you.
I will protect you.
I will appoint you as my promise to the people.
You will restore the land.
You will make them inherit the desolate inheritance.
You will say to the prisoners, “Come out,”
and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”

They will graze along every path,
and they will find pastures on every bare hill.
They will never be hungry or thirsty,
nor will the sun or the burning, hot wind strike them.
The one who has compassion on them will lead them
and guide them to springs.
I will turn all my mountains into roads,
and my highways will be restored.
They will come from far away.
They will come from the north and from the west,
and they will come from the land of Sinim.

Sing with joy, you heavens!
Rejoice, you earth!
Break into shouts of joy, you mountains!
The Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his humble people.

The Lord Has Not Forgotten Israel

49:14 But Zion said, “The Lord has abandoned me.
My Lord has forgotten me.”

Can a woman forget her nursing child?
Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb?
Although mothers may forget,
I will not forget you.

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The Lord Is Gracious and Compassionate | Vineyard Worship

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NT Reading: Matthew 12:46-50 (GW)

The True Family of Jesus

12:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside. They wanted to talk to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to talk to you.”

He replied to the man speaking to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother and sister and mother.”

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When Hope Was Born – VOUS Worship (musicmeetsheaven)

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May God, who has called us out of darkness
into his marvelous light,
bless us and fill us with peace.

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

The Holy Innocents | Thursday 28 Dec 2023: Psalm 148; Jeremiah 31:15-17; Matthew 2:13-18 ~ the manifestation of evil

The Holy Innocents | Thursday 28 Dec 2023

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

Opening:

Heavenly Father,
whose children suffered at the hands of Herod,
though they had done no wrong:
by the suffering of your Son
and by the innocence of our lives
frustrate all evil designs
and establish your reign of justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

“Get up, take the child and his mother,
and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you,
because Herod intends to search for the child and kill him.”
(Matthew 2:13)

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From Psalms: Psalm 148 – “Praise His Name” – Sovereign Grace [Rachel Overd]

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 31:15-17 (GW)

31:15 This is what the Lord says:

A sound is heard in Ramah,
the sound of crying in bitter grief.
Rachel is crying for her children.
She refuses to be comforted,
because they are dead.

This is what the Lord says:

Stop your crying, and wipe away your tears.
You will be rewarded for your work, declares the Lord.
You will return from the land of the enemy.
Your future is filled with hope, declares the Lord.
Your children will return to their own territory.

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Rachel Weeping for Her Children – David Abramsky

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NT Reading: Matthew 2:13-18 (GW)

The Escape to Egypt

2:13 After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel said to him, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and kill him.”

Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left for Egypt that night. He stayed there until Herod died. What the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: “I have called my son out of Egypt.”

When Herod saw that the wise men had tricked him, he became furious. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger in or near Bethlehem. This matched the exact time he had learned from the wise men. Then the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah came true:

“A sound was heard in Ramah,
the sound of crying in bitter grief.
Rachel was crying for her children.
She refused to be comforted
because they were dead.”

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The Flight Into Egypt – Nightnoise