Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 03 Jun 2020 – 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Psalm 103 ~ a church leader’s life must be above reproach

Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 03 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon us, so that we may hold fast to your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. 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 am writing so that you will know how people must conduct themselves in the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 3:1-16 (NLT)

Leaders in the Church

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

The Truths of Our Faith

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
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Morning Prayer: (excerpts Psalm 103)

Heavenly Father: We wholeheartedly bless your Holy Name –
just as parents are kind to their children, you are kind to all who worship you.

+ You surround us with with loving-kindness.

+ You fill our lives with good things.

+ You give justice to all who are treated unfairly.

+ You are merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it.

+ You never bear a grudge or remain angry.

+ Your loving-kindness is from everlasting to everlasting.

+ Your salvation is to children’s children of those who are faithful and obey you.

Heavenly Father: We wholeheartedly bless your Holy Name –
we give you thanks and praise through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Good, Good Father – by HOUSEFIRES II

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Closing: 1 Timothy 3:15 (NLT)

The household of God… is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

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

Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 02 Jun 2020 – 1 Timothy 1:18-2:15, Psalm 110 ~ “Pray for all people.”

Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 02 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Pray for all people…
with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 1:1-17 (NLT)

Timothy’s Responsibility

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

Instructions about Worship

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.
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Morning Prayer:

Merciful God: you want everyone to be reconciled to you through your Son Jesus Christ.

We pray for our Nation, this good land you have given us for our heritage – May we always remember your favor, and be glad to do your will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes who came here from all over the world.
Give the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice to all entrusted with governing authority, especially our President Donald Trump.
Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people.

We pray for all people who are called by your name – May we live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

Merciful God: you have purchased freedom for everyone, extend your kingdom to the ends of the earth;
Through your Son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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(Psalm 110) – John Alexander Wilson

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Closing: 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

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

Monday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 01 Jun 2020 – 1 Timothy 1:1-17, Psalm 103 ~ “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

Monday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 01 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love
that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 1:1-17 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.

I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Warnings against False Teachings

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

+ You forgive all my sins and heal all my diseases.
+ You redeem me from death and crown me with love and tender mercies.
+ You fill my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
+ You give righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
+ You are compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
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103 (Bless the Lord) – The Prestonwood Choir

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Closing: 1 Timothy 1:17 (NLT)

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

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

Pentecost Sunday, 31 May 2020: Acts 2:1-11, Psalm 104, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, John 20:19-23 ~ Lord, send forth your Spirit!

Pentecost Sunday, 31 May 2020 –

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

Opening:

Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

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“Veni Sancte Spiritus” – Przybądź Duchu Święty !

Come holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth
with your glorious light

You are our only comforter, Peace of the soul.
In the heat you shade us; in our labor you
refresh us, and in trouble you are our strength.

Kindle in our hearts the flame of your love
that in the darkness of the world it my glow and
reach to all forever.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 2:1-11 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit Comes

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
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Psalm 104 – Psalm Project Africa

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A Reading from the Epistles: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NLT)

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-23 (NLT)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
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Come, Spirit of God · Daniel Kopp · Sarah Liberman

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Prayers of Intercession:

On this day of Pentecost, the Church is filled with joy. Strengthened with measureless hope, we pray to Christ, who is calling his Church together in the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, raised on the cross, you poured out the water of rebirth for the life of the world. Quicken the life of all men with the gift of the Spirit.
+ Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Raised up to God’s right hand, you bestowed on the apostles the Father’s Gift; your Church now waits for the same Gift, the same hope.
+ Lord, renew the face of the earth.

You breathed your Spirit upon the apostles, and gave them the power of forgiveness: set all men free today from the prison of sin.
+ Lord, renew the face of the earth.

You promised to send us the Spirit of truth, that we might become your heralds throughout the world. Through his presence in the Church may we bear faithful witness to you.
+ Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord God, you sanctify your Church in every race and nation by the mystery we celebrate on this day. Pour out the gifts of the Holy Spirit on all mankind, and fulfill now in the hearts of your faithful what you accomplished when the Gospel was first preached on earth. 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.
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Hymn Of The Holy Spirit – Pat Barrett

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Closing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday of The 7th Week of Easter, 30 May 2020 – John 21:20-25, Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, Psalm 11, John 16:7, 13 ~ “As for you, follow me.”

Saturday of The 7th Week of Easter, 30 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord Jesus, make us holy by your Spirit. Send your Holy Spirit into our minds and hearts; Grant us a love that is genuine; Renew the hearts of the faithful by your life-giving grace; and Grant us the power of your Spirit to repair our damaged lives. Lord Jesus, make us holy by your Spirit. Amen.

“I will send the Spirit of truth… to guide you into all truth.”

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Psalm 11 – Tim Ophus

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:20-25 (NLT)

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
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Responsorial Psalm 11:4, 5, 7

+ I trust in the Lord for protection.

The Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven.

I trust in the Lord for protection.

He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.

I trust in the Lord for protection.

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.

I trust in the Lord for protection.

For the righteous Lord loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.

I trust in the Lord for protection./em>
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 (NLT)

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”
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For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
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“PSsalm 11” (Refuge) – My Soul Among Lions

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Closing: John 16: 7,13 (NLT)

“I will send the Spirit of truth… to guide you into all truth.”

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

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