Tag: Morning Prayer

3rd Sunday of Easter, 05 May 2019: 2 Corinthians 1:16-22, John 21:1-14 ~ promises made and guaranteed

The Third Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

God of life, in your risen Son you reveal your abiding presence among us and summon us to lives of worship and service. Fill us with reverence as we come before you today. And grant us courage and enthusiasm in bearing witness before the world to your Son, Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“”The Lion and The Lamb”” – Big Daddy Weave

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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 (NLT)

Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice — first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:1-14 (NLT)

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
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Intercession:

Almighty God: You claim us as your own and rescue us from all distress. Pour out your Spirit on your people, as we confidently approach your throne of grace. We pray especially –

+ That all believers may hold onto your promises….
+ That believers who are wavering may stand firm….
+ That believers who are suffering may have courage….
+ That missionaries may serve with conviction and enthusiasm….
+ That those working the sea may receive protection….
+ That those working the land may receive just reward….
+ That those who prepare and serve food may themselves be sustained….

Almighty God: Hear our prayers and the cries of our hearts, and have mercy us.  Guide us through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may love and serve you all the days of our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Stand In Your Love” – Josh Baldwin

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Closing Declaration: Psalm 33:3-5

Sing a new song of praise to him; sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good, and the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

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

2nd Sunday of Easter, 28 April 2019: Revelation 1:9-19, John 20:19-31 ~ believing in him you will have life

The Second Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that we who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may demonstrate in our lives what we profess by our faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Revelation Song” – Kari Jobe

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A Reading from the Letters: Revelation 1:9-19 (NLT)

Vision of the Son of Man

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

“Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen….”
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-31 (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.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Purpose of the Book

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
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Intercession:

God our strength and our life: You give hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless, through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. Hear us as we pray –

+ That your people may grow in unity of faith, hope, and love….
+ That leaders of your people may rely on you for wisdom and sound judgement….
+ That all believers may have life to the full, through the power of Jesus….
+ That doubters may be persuaded by the strong faith of believers….
+ That any divisions among us may be overcome….
+ That those in need may experience friendship and practical care….
+ That believers suffering persecution may be protected and delivered from evil….

God our strength, the resurrection of Jesus renews our hope: hear our prayers and help us, we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Not Afraid” – Jesus Culture

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Benediction: Revelation 1:5-6

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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

Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019: Colossians 3:1-4, Luke 24:1-12 ~ He is risen from the dead!

Easter Sunday

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

Opening Prayer:

God of everlasting life, by your mighty hand you raised up your beloved Son Jesus Christ from the grave, and appointed him judge of the living and the dead. Grant that we who joyfully celebrate his resurrection may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit, and experience the pardon and peace that you so freely offer. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Easter Song” – Glad – Acappella

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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
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“Endless Alleluia” – Bethel Music | VICTORY

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 24:1-12 (NLT)

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.
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Intercessions:

O God our Savior and Redeemer: Your love for us never ends. As we celebrate your power to make all that is dead come to life, hear our prayers….

+ For all who have been newly baptized around the world, that they may always walk in the light of Christ… Lord, guide them.
+ For all believers around the world in every circumstance, that we may live in hope and love…. Lord, empower us.
+ For all believers who are suffering the effects of war and terror, that they may live in security and peace…. Lord, protect them.
+ For all who are in need of support and love, that believers everywhere may care for them…. Lord, comfort them.
+ For all who are deprived of the basic necessities of life – food, clothing, and shelter, that believers everywhere may help them…. Lord, provide for them.
+ For all who are estranged from families, friends and loved ones, that they may be reconciled…. Lord, grant them your peace.

O God our Savior and Redeemer: You lead your people from defeat to triumph, from death to life; hear our prayers and grant us your peace, through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
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“Resurrecting” – Praise And Harmony Singers

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Benediction:

May Almighty God, who is making all things new through Jesus Christ our Lord – resurrect everything that is dead in our lives through the power of his Spirit that is at work within us; until at last we enter into the peace and joy of everlasting life.

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

Palm Sunday, 14 April 2019: Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 19:28-40 ~ the humble King

Palm Sunday

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

Opening Prayer:

Almighty and eternal God: You sent our Savior into the world out of live for us. In humble obedience he took upon himself a body like ours and gave himself up to death on the cross. In your mercy, grant us the grace to learn from the example of his passion and to share in the glory of his resurrection. 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.
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“At the Name of Jesus” – First-Plymouth Church (Lincoln, Nebraska)

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A Reading from the Letters: Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 19:28-40 (NLT)

After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”

And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
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“Israel: Jerusalem: Palm Sunday Parade” – AP


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Intercessions:

Sovereign God: You sent your Son into the world to save us. Come to us now, in this our time of need. We pray especially –

+ For all believers pondering the events of Holy Week…. Lord, renew us.
+ For the Jewish people, in preparation for Passover…. Lord, redeem them.
+ For those suffering the effects of natural disasters…. Lord, help them.
+ For those suffering the effects of war and violence…. Lord, deliver them.
+ For those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit…. Lord, heal them.
+ For all who are lost, in bondage to sin and death…. Lord, rescue them.

Compassionate God: In the death and resurrection of Jesus you have shown your love for us. Hear our prayers and grant them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Humble King” – Charl Folscher

Benediction:

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” (Romans 8:16-18)

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

Pause to Ponder Holy Week and Easter

Pause to Ponder Holy Week and Easter

Our 2019 New Testament Reading Plan has taken us through the Gospel of John and the Book of Romans. We will continue our reading plan with the Gospel of Mark after Easter on Monday, April 22nd.

Since Holy Week and Easter are only a few days away, it seems right to pause our reading plan in order to ponder the events that forever changed the world and, in turn, forever changed our lives by making us right with God.

Definition of ponder

transitive verb

1 : to weigh in the mind : appraise pondered their chances of success
2 : to think about : reflect on pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

We will be following the daily USCCB Lectionary Readings on the days leading up to Easter. Please pause to ponder what God has done for you.

May God transform us into new creations by changing the way we think.
Then we will learn to know God’s will for us,
which is good and pleasing and perfect.

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