The Feast of Saint Stephen: 26 December – Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 ~ everyone who endures to the end will be saved

St Stephen, the First Martyr

Opening Sentence:

Behold, I see the heavens thrown open, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)

Hymn: Good King Wenceslas

Morning Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60 NLT

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
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The Martyrdom of St Stephen Peter Paul Rubens, 1616-17 Musée des beaux-arts de Valenciennes

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Morning Reading: Matthew 10:17-22 NLT

“But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”

Morning Prayer

Thank You, Lord God, for Saint Stephen, whose life on earth was lived in the service of Christ, and who in death witnessed to Christ with his blood.

+ For all who have found the freedom to lay down their lives for Your sake – We give You thanks, O Lord.
+ For all whose desire for you has brought them through death with a joyful heart – We give You thanks, O Lord.
+ For all who have followed, through suffering, the way of the cross – We give You thanks, O Lord.
+ For all who have undergone martyrdom for the gospel – We give you thanks, O Lord.

Give us grace, Lord, to practice what we worship. Teach us to love our enemies as we keep the feast of Saint Stephen, who prayed even for the men who stoned him to death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

New Song: “Noel” – Lauren Daigle

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Canticle

Praise the Lord ! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King. Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Psalms 149:1-4 NLT)

Blessing

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Judea 24-25)

Christmas Day: 25 December – Isaiah 9:2-7; John 1:1-5,9-14 ~ the Light is on in the Manger

Christmas Day

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

Opening sentence

Today Christ is born, today the Savior has appeared; today the angels sing on earth, the archangels rejoice; today upright men shout out for joy: Glory be to God on high, alleluia.
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“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – King’s College Choir

Morning Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 NLT

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen.

“The Light of the World” – Lauren Daigle

Morning Reading: John 1:1-5,9-14 NLT

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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Prayer:

God our Father, this morning we eagerly greet the birth of Jesus, our brother and Saviour. He is the Daystar from on high, the light-bearer who brings the dawn to us, who wait patiently for His coming. – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.

+ Father, bless on this holy day the Church all over the world. May she light afresh in men’s hearts the lamps of hope and peace.
+ Your Son has come to us in the fullness of time: let all who wait for Him recognize His coming.
+ His birth bound heaven to earth in harmony and peace. Establish that same peace among nations and men of today.
+ With Mary and Joseph we rejoice in the birth of Jesus. May we welcome Christ into our lives as they did.

Almighty God, Your incarnate Word fills us with the new light He brought to men. Let the light of faith in our hearts shine through all that we do and say. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Joy to the World” – The Bach Choir

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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (John 1:12-13 NLT)

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 23 December – Exodus 24:3-8; Luke 22:19-20 ~ taste and see the beauty

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Exodus 24:3-8 NLT

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord ’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”

Morning Reading: Luke 22:19-20 NLT

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people — an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
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Prayer:

Faithful God: Thank You for the New Covenant, signed and sealed with the Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, thank You for this season when all are, once again, welcomed to Your Table.

+ As we celebrate Christmas – may we rejoice in the wonder of the Son of God born to save us.
+ As we contemplate the Cross – may we reflect on the cost to the Son of Man who died to save us.

Loving and Gracious God: As people around the world gather at Your Table – may we drink the Cup of Joy and eat the Bread of Life… and enter into the beauty of Christmas. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, and will come again in glory, one God forever. Amen.
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“Christmas Communion Song”

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Canticle

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 02 December – Genesis 6-7; Romans 5:8-9 ~ walk with me

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Genesis 6-7 NLT

A World Gone Wrong

Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”

…The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing — all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” But Noah found favor with the Lord.

The Story of Noah

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!

“Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior….

Noah's Ark (1846), a painting by the American folk painter Edward Hicks Philadelphia Museum of Art — Noah’s Ark (1846),
a painting by the American folk painter Edward Hicks
Philadelphia Museum of Art

“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat — you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal — a male and a female — into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.”

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

The Flood Covers the Earth

When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous…. Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”

So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth. He went on board the boat to escape the flood — he and his wife and his sons and their wives. With them were all the various kinds of animals…. They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth….

For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth. As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth…. All the living things on earth died — birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people. Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died. God wiped out every living thing on the earth — people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. And the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.

while-we-final-two

Morning Reading: Romans 5:8-9 NLT

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
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Prayer: “Walk with me” song lyrics

Light for every step walk with me | Giver of each breath walk with me

In Your presence Lord, there is peace, there is rest | In Your presence Lord, there is life that never ends | In Your presence Lord, there is joy, there is joy | In Your presence Lord, there is life that never ends
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“Walk With Me” – Jesus Culture (feat. Kim Walker-Smith)

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Canticle

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 30 November – Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:16-17; Jeremiah 33:19-22 ~ the promise-keeping God

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Morning Reading: Genesis 1:27-28 NLT

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Morning Reading: Genesis 2:16-17 NLT

But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden — except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

Promise Maker Keeper

Morning Reading: Jeremiah 33:19-22 NLT

Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other, only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. The same is true for my covenant with the Levitical priests who minister before me. And as the stars of the sky cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who minister before me.”
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Prayer:

Gracious God: Your Word is sure and true; You always keep Your promises. Prepare me – heart, mind, and spirit – to renew and refresh my relationship with You during this Advent season.

+ You are the Sovereign Lord – may I trust You in all things, big and small, personal and public, at home and throughout the world. Here’s what is troubling me today….
+ You are the Word made flesh – may I enter into the festivities and joy of Christmas, keeping the priceless gift of Jesus ever before me. Here’s where I need to maintain perspective today….
+ You are the Life-giving Spirit – may I become more like Jesus, a man of His Word. Here’s where I need to follow through and keep my word today….

Merciful God: guide me though the wilderness and protect me through the storm as I await Your coming in glory. Protect me from the wiles of the evil one and bring me home rejoicing into Your eternal presence. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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“Even So Come” – Passion (feat Kristian Stanfill)

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Canticle

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

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