Tag: Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer, Christmas Day 25 Dec 2020: Isaiah 62:10-12, Psalm 97, Luke 2:8-20 ~ “A Savior is born!”

Morning Prayer, Christmas Day 25 Dec 2020

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

Opening

We praise you, gracious God,
for the glad tidings of peace, the good news of salvation:
your Word became flesh, and we have seen his glory.
Let the radiance of that glory enlighten the lives of those who celebrate his birth.

Reveal to all the world the light no darkness can extinguish, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke2:11)

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(Luke 1:68-79) Dawning Light Of Our Salvation – (Wendell Kimbrough & Hope College Worship)

1. Long in darkness Israel wandered; Long in mortal shadows, we
Walked in bondage and self-pity, Trod in paths of sin and grief.
In the prophets’ words He told us, Long the God of Israel spoke;
He alone in strength would save us From the hands of all our foes.

Every valley be exalted! Every mountain be made plane!
Crooked ways repent and straighten; All creation bend in praise!

2. He shall raise a mighty Savior; Born of David’s lineage, He
Comes in cov’nant love to claim us From our sins to set us free.
Light to those who dwell in darkness Life to those from death who flee
Joy unto the earth, and gladness, To your pathways dawning peace!

Every valley be exalted! Every mountain be made plane!
Crooked ways repent and straighten; All creation bend in praise!

3. Jesus, Lord, and mighty Savior, David’s Son and yet his King,
Dawning light of our salvation, Of your saving pow’r we sing!
Stand, Oh lame, and dance ye broken, Know the Savior’s healing grace;
Come, Oh deaf and hear him singing; Turn, Oh blind, behold his face!

Every valley be exalted! Every mountain be made plane!
Crooked ways repent and straighten; All creation bend in praise!

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A Reading from the Prophets: Isaiah 62:10-12 (ESV)

 10 Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12 And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.

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In the Bleak Midwinter – Keith & Kristyn Getty

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Glory to God – Hillsong – Christmas

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Prayer: Psalm 97:1,6,9-12 – The Lord Reigns

97 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

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Joy To The World – for King & Country

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Closing – Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

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

The Fourth Sunday in Advent 20 Dec 2020: 2 Samuel 7:1-11; Luke 1:26-38; Romans 16:25-27 ~ Your will be done in me.

The Fourth Sunday in Advent 20 Dec 2020

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

Open

Here in our midst, O God of mystery, you disclose the secret hidden for countless ages.
For you we wait, for you we listen. Upon hearing your voice may we, like Mary,
embrace your will and become a dwelling fit for your Word.
Grant this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.

Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord;
let it be to me according to your word.”
(Luke1:38)

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Once In Royal David’s City – engageworship.org

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A Reading from the Prophets: 2 Samuel 7:1-11 (ESV)

The Lord’s Covenant with David

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.

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Magnificat – The ZOE Group

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)

Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

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The Mystery of God – Dan Schutte

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Prayer:

Almighty and merciful God: send us your Spirit with power to do the impossible in this land-

+ Convict this land its sin of unbelief, that the coming of Christ Jesus may be restored as the center of our holiday celebrations….
+ Convict this land of its unrighteousness, that only by grace through faith in Christ Jesus can we be made right with you….
+ Convict this land of the coming judgement, that all will be revealed, and only the just in Christ Jesus will be saved….

Almighty and merciful God: send us your Spirit with power to do the impossible in this land- and please begin with me;
I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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God Of The Impossible – Lincoln Brewster

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Closing – Romans 16:25-27 (ESV)

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—  to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

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

The Third Sunday in Advent 13 Dec 2020: Isa 61:1-2,10-11; Lk 1:46-50; Jn 1:6-8,19-28; 1 Th 5:16-24; ~ Rejoice always!

The Third Sunday in Advent 13 Dec 2020

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

Opening:

O God, most high and most near, you send glad tidings to the lowly, you hide not your face from the poor; those who dwell in darkness you call into the light. Take away our blindness, remove the hardness of our hearts, and form us into a humble people, that, at the advent of your Son, we may recognize him in our midst and find joy in his saving presence. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor….
(Isaiah 61:1-2)

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Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence – Aly Aleigha

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A Reading from the Prophets: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 (ESV)

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor….
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I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.

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My Soul Rejoices In My God – (Lk 1:46-50. 53-54) Gen Bryant

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 1:6-8,19-28 (ESV)

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

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The Testimony of John the Baptist

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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Jesus is our light – Steve Thorngate

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Prayer:

Almighty and merciful God: we humbly ask you to receive our prayers.

+ Inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all who confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

+ Lead the nations of the world in the way of righteousness; and so guide and direct our leaders that your people may enjoy the blessings of freedom and peace.

+ Grant that our leaders may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.

+ Give your heavenly grace to all your people, that with reverent and obedient hearts we may hear and receive your holy Word, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.

+ Comfort and sustain all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity especially those suffering the effects of the covid plague.

+ Have mercy on all who truly and earnestly repent of their sins, and seek to live in love and charity with their neighbors, and intend to lead the new life, following your commandments and walking in your holy ways.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father: you have promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Gaudete – The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. [“Gaudete” is a Latin carol which first appeared in ‘Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish and Swedish sacred songs published in 1581.]

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Closing – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (ESV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

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

The Second Sunday in Advent 06 Dec 2020: Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-18, Mark 1:1-8 ~ Prepare your heart!

The Second Sunday in Advent 06 Dec 2020

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

Opening:

With tender comfort and transforming power you come into our midst, O God of mercy and might. Make ready a way in the wilderness, clear a straight path in our hearts, and form us into a repentant people, that the advent of your Son may find us watchful and eager for the glory he reveals. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
(Mark 1:2-3)

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Prepare The Way – Simply Taizé

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Prayer 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 Prophets: Isaiah 40:1-11 (ESV)

Comfort for God’s People

40 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The Word of God Stands Forever

6 A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

The Greatness of God

9 Go on up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

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“Comfort, My People” – Ian Callanan

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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:1-8 (ESV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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Prepare the Way – Eric Nuzum

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Prayer:

+ Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy on us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag down; unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out; upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Grant us understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen.

+ 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.

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Be on the Lookout – Paul Zach

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Closing – 2 Peter 3:8-18 (ESV)

Remember that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…

    • Be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
    • Count the patience of our Lord as salvation.
    • Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
    • Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
    • To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

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

The First Sunday in Advent – 29 Nov 2020: Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37 ~ “Stay awake!”

The First Sunday in Advent 29 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Rend the heavens and come down, O God of all the ages! Rouse us from sleep, deliver us from our heedless ways, and form us into a watchful people, that, at the advent of your Son, he may find us doing what is right, mindful of all you command. Grant this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

“Concerning that day or that hour, no one knows,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.”
(Mark 13:32-33)

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Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus – Shannon Wexelberg

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Prayer 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 Prophets: Isaiah 64:1-9 (ESV)

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence—
as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.
You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
those who remember you in your ways.
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned;
in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?
We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Be not so terribly angry, O Lord,
and remember not iniquity forever.
Behold, please look, we are all your people.

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“Psalm 80” (Restore Us, O God) – Proskuneo Ministries

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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 13:24-37 (ESV)

The Coming of the Son of Man

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day or Hour

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

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Stay Awake – 5Choir

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Prayer:

+ For the Church:

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ For Our Nation:

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: Restore us we pray, that we may remember your favor and gladly do your will.

    • Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
    • Defend our freedoms, and fashion into one united nation the diverse cultures and ethnicities of all who live here.
    • Confer wisdom and sound judgement on those we entrust with the authority of government, especially on President Trump.
    • Grant us justice and peace at home and abroad, that we may display your praise among the nations of the earth.

Sustain our trust in you, as we wait for the return of your Son in glory, we ask in His name. Amen.

+ For Mercy:

Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ For All People:

O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For the Unrepentant:

Merciful God, you desire that sinners should turn to you and live, through faith in your Son Jesus Christ; have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word.

Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

+ For Watchfulness:

Heavenly Father, you alone know the time and hour when your Son shall return to receive his bride: Grant that the cry, “The bridegroom comes!” may sound evermore in our ears, that so we are never unprepared to meet him, or forgetful of the souls for whom he died, for whom we watch and pray. And save us, O Lord. Amen.

+ For the Coming Kingdom:

+ 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.

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Stay Awake – Lize Wiid · Sarah Jubilee

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Closing – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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