Tag: jesus

The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 13 Sep 2020: Sirach* 27:30-28:7, Psalm 103:1-14, Matt 18:21-35 ~ Mercy received / Mercy given!

The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 13 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

O God most high, you are slow to anger and rich in compassion. Keep alive in us the memory of your mercy, that our angers may be calmed and our resentments dispelled. May we discover the forgiveness promised to those who forgive and become a people rich in mercy. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

May I never forget the good things The Lord does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
(Psalm 103: 2-4)

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“God of Grace and God of Glory” – First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska

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Collect for Purity

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.

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A Reading from the Apocrypha: Sirach 27:30- 28:7 (Anglicised (NRSVA)

Anger and Vengeance

27:30 Anger and wrath, these also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds on to them.

28:1 The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance,
for he keeps a strict account of their sins.

2 Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done,
and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.

3 Does anyone harbor anger against another,
and expect healing from the Lord?

4 If someone has no mercy towards another like himself,
can he then seek pardon for his own sins?

5 If a mere mortal harbors wrath,
who will make an atoning sacrifice for his sins?

6 Remember the end of your life, and set enmity aside;
remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments.

7 Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor;
remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.

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“Psalm 103” (Bless The Lord) – Slavic Center Tacoma

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 18:21-35 (NLT)

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

“Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.

“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.

“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.

“When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

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Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive –  Koine

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Prayer to Forgive Others – Kathryn Shirey

O Heavenly Father, as you have forgiven me, help me to forgive those who have sinned against me. For we are all sinners and we all fall short of your glory.

Help me to let go of the anger, resentment, bitterness, and hurt to forgive those who have hurt me. I need your help, O Lord, for the hurts are great and it’s hard to forgive.

Help me to fill my heart with love, because you first loved us. Lead me to live a life of love and forgiveness, learning to see others through your eyes, Lord. I leave my hurting heart at your feet, Lord, and ask for your help to heal my heart and lead me to forgiveness.

O Lord, help me to forgive those who have sinned against me, or against those I hold most dear; I ask through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

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His Mercy Is More – The Acappella Company

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Closing – Romans 14:7-8 (NLT)

We don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.
If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord.
So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 

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

The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 06 Sep 2020: Ezekiel 33:1-11, Matthew 18:15-20 ~ turn from your wicked ways and live

The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 06 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Sovereign Lord says: “I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people.
I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.”
(Ezekiel 33:11)

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“To God Be The Glory” – The Celebration Choir

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Ezekiel 33:1-11 (NLT)

 Ezekiel as Israel’s Watchman

Once again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, give your people this message: ‘When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman. When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’

“Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.

The Watchman’s Message

“Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?

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“Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus” – The Celebration Choir

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 18:15-20 (NLT)

Correcting Another Believer

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

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Psalm 119:33-40 –  The Corner Room

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Prayer –

Repentance:

Almighty God, my heavenly Father: I have sinned against you, through my own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in what I have left undone. For the sake of your Son my Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me all my offenses; and grant that I may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Evangelism:

Almighty God my Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught me through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that my heart may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through my 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.

Enemies:

O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded me to love my enemies: Lead them and me from prejudice to truth; deliver them and me from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.

Joy in the End:

 Lord Jesus, be mindful of your promise. Think of me, your servant, and when I shall depart, speak to my spirit these loving words: “Today you shall be with me in joy.” O Lord Jesus Christ, remember me, your servant who trusts in you, when my tongue cannot speak, when the sight of my eyes fails, and when my ears are stopped. Let my spirit always rejoice in you and be joyful about my salvation, which you, through your death, have purchased for me. Amen.

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We’re Marching To Zion – The Celebration Choir

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Closing – Romans 12:12, 14-17-18, 21 (NLT)

+ Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
+ Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
+ Never pay back evil with more evil.
+ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
+ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30 Aug 2020: Jeremiah 15:19-21, Psalm 26, Matthew 16:21-27 ~ “What is your soul worth?

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

O Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow after us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,
take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:16-24)

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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – (Virtual Choir #4)

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:19-21 (NLT)

The Lord responds:

“If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
They will fight against you like an attacking army,
but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.
They will not conquer you,
for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

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Psalm 26 – Caryn Borland

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 16:21-27 (NLT)

Take Up Your Cross

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

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Prayer –

Almighty God: Our help in ages past, our hope in years to come. You are our shield and defender against wicked people, and the schemes of Satan. Protect us and rescue us. We pray especially –

+ For Christians who suffer — that they may not give up….
Lord, hear us.
_ For all who are criticized for doing the right thing — that they may hold firm….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the grace to support each other in the hardships of life – that our burdens may be shared….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are suffering because of the pandemic – that they may be comforted….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body – that they may be healed….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are suffering the effects of civil unrest – that their families and communities may be restored….
Lord, hear us.

Almighty God: Our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; you have disarmed every “power and principality” through Jesus’ death on the cross. Help us to take up our own crosses every day, and follow him, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It’s in his name we pray. Amen.

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Defend Us – Jessica Di Giovanni

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Closing – Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning Prayer: 29 Aug 2020 – Psalm 136, Colossians 2:8-15 ~ God made you alive with Christ

Saturday Morning Prayer, 29 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

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.

“God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.“
(Colossians 2:13)

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Scripture: 

Psalm 136 

Who has laid the waters and spread out the land?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.
By His understanding, by His mighty hand.
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.

Who has made the sun to rule and reign the day?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.
Who the moon and stars and skies above obey?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.

His love endures forever, His love endures forever.
His love endures forever, give Him thanks!

Who has done great wonders, and the heavens raised?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.
Yet, will not forget us in our low estate?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.

His love endures forever, His love endures forever.
His love endures forever, give Him thanks!

Who has conquered kingdoms, crushed the enemy?
Give Him thanks! Give Him thanks!
Who will fight our battles, give us victory?
Give Him thanks! Give Him thanks!

His love endures forever, His love endures forever.
His love endures forever, give Him thanks!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
Give thanks to the God of all gods!
Give thanks to the One whose mercy endures,
Give thanks to the King of heaven!
Give thanks!
Give Him thanks!

Psalm 136 (Give Him Thanks): – Slavic Chorale (in Russian)

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Scripture Reading

Colossians 2:8-15 (NLT)

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

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Reflection:

alive with Christ

“God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.”
(Colossians 1:27)

“It is true that He gave us life from the dead? He gave us pardon of sin; He gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but you see we are not content with them; we have received Christ himself. The Son of God has been poured out into us, and we have received him, and appropriated him.” (Spurgeon)

We can’t make ourselves alive, but God can make us alive together with Jesus.
We can never be made alive apart from Jesus.

sins forgiven

We are forgiven by grace.
The handwriting of requirements has in mind a list of our crimes or moral debt before God, a debt that no imperfect person can completely pay. But it can be taken out of the way, by payment from a perfect man, Jesus Christ.

“It might even be said that he took the document, ordinances and all, and nailed it to his cross as an act of triumphant defiance in the face of those blackmailing powers that were holding it over men and women in order to command their allegiance.” (Bruce)

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Prayer:

Lord Jesus: I’m in that place again On my knees Laying my life out before You
Thank you that on the cross you cried “It is finished”
You have done it Forgiveness is complete
I can live forever in Your grace Forever in Your love

  • So I ask now for Your forgiveness For the wrongs that I have done
  • And the things that I have neglected
  • I ask for Your forgiveness For the people I have hurt along the way
  • And those who I have failed to love as You love
  • I ask for Your forgiveness I receive Your forgiveness
  • And resolve in my heart That with Your strength I determine not to make these errors again

I receive Your forgiveness And by the power of Your Holy Spirit
I walk away from everything I know to be wrong
And embrace everything I know about You
For the kingdom, the power and the glory
Are always and forever Yours Amen
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“Up & Alive” – Luke & Anna Hellebronth

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Closing: 

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”  (Colossians 2:8-10)

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

Friday Morning Prayer: 28 Aug 2020 – Psalm 132:14-16, Colossians 1:21-2:7 ~ build your life on Christ

Friday Morning Prayer, 28 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty God, whose most dear Son suffered pain before he went up to joy, and was crucified before he entered into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the Cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

“And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.“
(Colossians 1:27)

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Scripture: 

Psalm 132:14-16 (NLT)

For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
“This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.

Bedford Psalm 132: 14-16 – (Gaelic Psalms from the Hebrides of Scotland)

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Scripture Reading

Colossians 1:22-23, 26-27, 2:6-7 (NLT)

God has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.
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This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
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And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

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Reflection:

Christ lives in you

“And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”
(Colossians 1:27)

Take this as the secret of Christ’s life in you: His Spirit dwells in your innermost spirit. Meditate on it, believe in it, and remember it until this glorious truth produces within you a holy fear and wonderment that the Holy Spirit indeed abides in you.
(Watchman Nee)

Share his glory

“Christian joy is letting Christ live His life out through you so that what He is, you become.” ( David Jeremiah)

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Prayer:

Thank you Heavenly Father: for rescuing me from the dark power of Satan and bringing me into the kingdom of your dear Son, who lives in me.

+ Christ in me – is exactly like God, who cannot be seen….

+ Christ in me – means the fullness of God lives in me….

+ Christ in me – made everything in heaven and on earth….

+ Christ in me – made everything and holds it all together….

+ Christ in me – was the first to be raised from the dead….

+ Christ in me – sacrificed his blood on the cross, so that everyone would be brought back to God….

Thank you Heavenly Father: for making peace with me, and allowing me to stand in your presence as one who is holy and faultless and innocent. Through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

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You are my shelter
You are my peace
No matter the storms
That rage at me
Even when I falter
I know I’m in your hands

I long for You (I long for You)
I long for You (I long for You)

“Habitation” – Heartcry of David Collective

When I look at the heavens
The work of Your hands
The moon and stars
All at Your command
Even when I falter
I know I’m in your hands

Make me Your habitation
Make me a dwelling place for You
That I might carry Your presence
Wherever You lead me to

I long for You (I long for You)
I long for You (I long for You)
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Closing: 

“just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”  (Colossians 2:7)

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