After Pentecost | Saturday 05 Oct 2024
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
So Jesus said to them,
“You try to justify your actions in front of people.
But God knows what’s in your hearts.”
(Luke 16:15)
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From Psalms: Psalm 26 // Caryn Borland
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OT Reading: Job 7:1-21 (GW)
Job Speaks about the Futility of Human Existence
7:1 “Isn’t a mortal’s stay on earth difficult
like a hired hand’s daily ⌞work⌟?
Like a slave, he longs for shade.
Like a hired hand, he eagerly looks for his pay.
Likewise, I have been given months that are of no use,
and I have inherited nights filled with misery.
When I lie down, I ask,
‘When will I get up?’
But the evening is long,
and I’m exhausted from tossing about until dawn.
My body is covered with maggots and scabs.
My skin is crusted over with sores; then they ooze.
My days go swifter than a weaver’s shuttle.
They are spent without hope.
Remember, my life is only a breath,
and never again will my eyes see anything good.
The eye that watches over me will no longer see me.
Your eye will look for me, but I’ll be gone.
As a cloud fades away and disappears,
so a person goes into the grave and doesn’t come back again.
He doesn’t come back home again,
and his household doesn’t recognize him anymore.
So I won’t keep my mouth shut,
but I will speak from the distress that is in my spirit
and complain about the bitterness in my soul.
Job Says to God: Leave Me Alone
7:12 “Am I the sea or a sea monster
that you have set a guard over me?
When I say,
‘My couch may give me comfort.
My bed may help me bear my pain,’
then you frighten me with dreams
and terrify me with visions.
My throat would rather be choked.
My body would prefer death ⌞to these dreams⌟.
I hate my life; I do not want to live forever.
Leave me alone because my days are so brief.
“What is a mortal that you should make so much of him,
that you should be concerned about him?
⌞What is he⌟ that you should inspect him every morning
and examine him every moment?
Why don’t you stop looking at me
long enough to let me swallow my spit?
If I sin, what can I ⌞possibly⌟ do to you
since you insist on spying on people?
Why do you make me your target?
I’ve become a burden even to myself.
Why don’t you forgive my disobedience
and take away my sin?
Soon I’ll lie down in the dust.
Then you will search for me, but I’ll be gone!”
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“Rescue Story” | Zach Williams
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NT Reading: Luke 16:14-18 (GW)
16:14 The Pharisees, who love money, heard all this and were making sarcastic remarks about him. So Jesus said to them, “You try to justify your actions in front of people. But God knows what’s in your hearts. What is important to humans is disgusting to God.
“Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets were ⌞in force⌟ until the time of John. Since that time, people have been telling the Good News about God’s kingdom, and everyone is trying to force their way into it. It is easier for the earth and the heavens to disappear than to drop a comma from the Scriptures.
“Any man who divorces his wife to marry another woman is committing adultery. The man who marries a woman divorced in this way is committing adultery.
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Listen To Our Hearts – Casting Crowns | Healing For The Soul
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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.
Thomas Aquinas
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen.
Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
+ Do what only you can do to make your faithful people the blessing promised to every family on earth.
+ Protect them from the assaults of the evil one, coming in every form and from every direction.
+ Grant your heavenly wisdom to Israel’s leadership; give them the courage to do what’s right in your sight.
+ Comfort all those who mourn the loss of loved ones; deliver the hostages from captivity and restore their souls.
+ Destroy every stronghold and every expression of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
+ Protect the Israel Defense Forces and every soldier engaged in their mission to root out this evil.
+ Strengthen the Messianic communities; use them to restore your faithful people to their proper place in your kingdom.
+ Unify your faithful people around your promise to Abraham – to bless every family on earth through them.
+ Intervene in the Middle East in ways that only you can; protect the innocent and punish the guilty, that all may live in peace.
+ We ask in Jesus’ name.
Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 