Tag: New Living Translation

5th Day Before Christmas: Monday 20 Dec 2021: Psalm 113; Genesis 25:19-28; Colossians 1:15-20 ~ “He is supreme over all creation.”

5th Day Before Christmas: Monday 20 Dec 2021:
[Revised Common Lectionary Year C]

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

Opening:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among
us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the
race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy
speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to
whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now
and for ever. Amen.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created
and is supreme over all creation,
1for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.”
(Colossians 1:15-16)

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Psalms: Psalm 113 – From the Rising of the Sun – Sandra McCracken
[Love 4 Yah]

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OT Reading: Genesis 25:19-28 (NLT)

The Births of Esau and Jacob

25:19 This is the account of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham. 20 When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

21 Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. 22 But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the Lord about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked.

23 And the Lord told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.”

24 And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! 25 The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. 26 Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.

Esau Sells His Birthright

27 As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Live) |The Worship Initiative
Recorded live at the Worship Initiative in Dallas, TX.

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NT Reading: Colossians 1:15-20 (NLT)

Christ Is Supreme

1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

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 Image Of God – We Are Messengers

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Prayer: 

+ It is time for us to wake from our sleep: the day of our salvation is near.
– Lord, may your kingdom come!

+ Help us to show our repentance
by a new way of living.
– Lord, may your kingdom come!

+ Prepare us for the coming of your Word
by opening our hearts to receive him.
– Lord, may your kingdom come!

+ Help us to overcome our pride,
and raise us from the depths of our weakness.
– Lord, may your kingdom come!

+ Throw down the walls of hatred between nations,
clear the way for those who work for peace.
– Lord, may your kingdom come!

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.

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Benediction: 

The Lord bless us,
and keep us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.

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

4th Sunday in Advent: 19 Dec 2021 – Micah 5:2-5; Psalm 80:1-7; Luke 1:39-56 ~ Rejoice in God your Savior!

4th Sunday in Advent: 19 Dec 2021
Anglican Church in North America
[Lectionary Year C]

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

Opening:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among
us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the
race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy
speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to
whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now
and for ever. Amen.

Mary responded (to Elizabeth),
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
   How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
   For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
  For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.”

(Luke 1:46-49)

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O Little Town Of Bethlehem – Nat King Cole

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OT Reading: Micah 5:2-5 (NLT)

A Ruler from Bethlehem

5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf.
3 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies
until the woman in labor gives birth.
Then at last his fellow countrymen
will return from exile to their own land.
4 And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
for he will be highly honored around the world.
5 And he will be the source of peace.

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Psalm: Psalm 80 – Hear, O Shepherd of Israel  | Kirk Dearman
[Simple Believer]

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Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-56 (NLT)

Mary Visits Elizabeth

1:39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise

1:46 Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

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Magnificat Primi Toni – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
VOCES8 sings the ‘Magnificat Primi Toni’ by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina in the VOCES8 Centre in London.

TEXT and TRANSLATION:

1. Magnificat, anima mea, Dominum
My soul doth magnify the Lord

2. et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo, salutari meo.
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

3. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.

4. Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius,
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name,

5. et misericordia eius a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
and his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.

6. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

7. Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles;
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek;

8. esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes.
he hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.

9. Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordiæ suæ,
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel,

10. sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in sæcula.
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

11. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:

12. sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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Prayer:

Intercessions for The Fourth Sunday in Advent – thisischurch.com

As we share in Mary and Elizabeth’s joy at the coming of our Saviour, let us be quiet and still in the presence of God.

+ Heavenly Father, we can only wonder at the way you work with us. We want you to know that we are ready to be used by you. We understand that we must work actively to answer our own prayers and to respond to the challenges of our world and our place within that world.

Let it be to us: according to your will.

+ We call to mind before you those people we would love to know you and we ask you to prepare their hearts to recognize you. We ask you to reassure and encourage us all in our assemblies, giving us insights into the real needs of our communities.

Let it be to us: according to your will.

+ As we look at the world around us, we are often filled with disillusion, hopelessness and despair. We ask you to give us courage to continue working with you even during the dark and difficult times. We ask you to come into the daily relationships which we so often take for granted. Help us to value one another and respond to one another with love.

Let it be to us: according to your will.

+ We call to mind those people all over the world who are struggling with poverty, illness, grief or despair. We ask you to look after them, give them the sense of your caring presence to uphold and sustain them and show us the way to help support them.

Let it be to us: according to your will.

+ We remember those who have died and thank you for the good you have worked in their lives. Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones with the certain hope of resurrection through our Savior Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, and King of glory.

Let it be to me: according to your will.

Lord of hope, as we approach the festival of Christmas, we praise and thank you for the way you surprise us with joy, and show us the extraordinary and the wonderful in the ordinary things of life.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

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Benediction: 

Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised savior: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

7th Day Before Christmas: Saturday 18 Dec 2021: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 66:7-11; Luke 13:31-35 ~ Rejoice with Jerusalem!

7th Day Before Christmas: Saturday 18 Dec 2021
[Revised Common Lectionary Year C]

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

Opening:

Gracious God, your people look forward in hope
to the festival of our Savior’s birth.
Give us the strength to reach that happy day of salvation
and to celebrate it with hearts full of joy.
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.

“Rejoice with Jerusalem!
Be glad with her, all you who love her
and all you who mourn for her.”
(Isaiah 66:10)

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Psalms: Psalm 80: Lord Make Us Turn To You – by Bill Monaghan

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OT Reading: Isaiah 66:7-11 (NLT)

66:7 “Before the birth pains even begin,
Jerusalem gives birth to a son.
8 Who has ever seen anything as strange as this?
Who ever heard of such a thing?
Has a nation ever been born in a single day?
Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment?
But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin,
her children will be born.
9 Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth
and then not deliver it?” asks the Lord.
“No! I would never keep this nation from being born,”
says your God.

10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem!
Be glad with her, all you who love her
and all you who mourn for her.
11 Drink deeply of her glory
even as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breasts.”

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The First Song of Isaiah – SCC Children’s Choir along with the Sanctuary Choir.
[Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas]

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NT Reading: Luke 13:31-35 (NLT)

Jesus Grieves over Jerusalem

13:31 At that time some Pharisees said to him, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!”

32 Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. 33 Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 35 And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

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Blessed Is He Who Comes – FOREVER GOOD – Paul Wilbur

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Prayer: 

An Encouraging Prayer for Christians in the Here and Not Yet

Father,

We live stuck in between two realms . . . the world we live in and the eternity we look forward to in heaven. In the middle chaos abounds, and less makes sense or aligns with the truth of Your Word or Your intention for creation. But through it all, You reign. Jesus sits on Your right-hand side, and death has already been defeated.

In Your great mercy, You are waiting for every ear to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, leaving opportunity for all to come to You and live in the presence of Your love. We pray today that you bless our lives to honor You in everything we do. Every conversation, idle moment, and seemingly everyday task—let all we do be for Your glory.

In this life between here and the not yet, give us courage and bravery to operate in Your Truth even when we are afraid. As they strip Your name from everything and everywhere, let us proclaim it louder and longer . . . and everywhere we go. Jesus Christ has defeated death. In Him, we are victorious, and He will come again. Be our strength when it’s hard to be Christians in this world. Embrace us with Your encouragement and fortify us with Your perfect love.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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Benediction: -Romans 15:5-6

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of the mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

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

8th Day Before Christmas: Friday 17 Dec 2021: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 42:10-18; Hebrews 10:32-39 ~ Our souls will be saved.

8th Day Before Christmas: Friday 17 Dec 2021
[Revised Common Lectionary Year C]

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

Opening:

Gracious God, your people look forward in hope
to the festival of our Saviour’s birth.
Give us the strength to reach that happy day of salvation
and to celebrate it with hearts full of joy.
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.

We are not like those who turn away from God
to their own destruction.
We are the faithful ones,
whose souls will be saved.
(Hebrews 10:39)

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Psalms: Psalm 80 – Restoration – James Block

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OT Reading: Isaiah 42:10-18 (NLT)

A Song of Praise to the Lord

42:10 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!
Sing, all you who sail the seas,
all you who live in distant coastlands.
11 Join in the chorus, you desert towns;
let the villages of Kedar rejoice!
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
shout praises from the mountaintops!
12 Let the whole world glorify the Lord;
let it sing his praise.
13 The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero;
he will come out like a warrior, full of fury.
He will shout his battle cry
and crush all his enemies.

14 He will say, “I have long been silent;
yes, I have restrained myself.
But now, like a woman in labor,
I will cry and groan and pant.
15 I will level the mountains and hills
and blight all their greenery.
I will turn the rivers into dry land
and will dry up all the pools.
16 I will lead blind Israel down a new path,
guiding them along an unfamiliar way.
I will brighten the darkness before them
and smooth out the road ahead of them.
Yes, I will indeed do these things;
I will not forsake them.
17 But those who trust in idols,
who say, ‘You are our gods,’
will be turned away in shame.

18 “Listen, you who are deaf!
Look and see, you blind!

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Isaiah 42 – Anna Blanc
[All About Him Music]
https://youtu.be/pA455PmpH8s?rel=0

The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man
Stirring His zeal and His strength
He will descend with a mighty shout
Displaying the power of His name

Rising before Him in Heaven
The songs on the earth of His bride
Crying aloud for justice
And longing to stand by His side

You are the Lord, that is Your name
Your glory You will not give to another to be praised

Hallelujah to the
King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
Hallelujah
Let the peoples and nations lift up their voice singing

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NT Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39 (NLT)

10:32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 “For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

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Savior Of The World – Mack Brock
[Light of the World]

https://youtu.be/MlOgAhqKY-E?rel=0
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Prayer: 

Prayer for Steadfast Faith – Christianity.com

Lord God, heavenly Father, we are poor, miserable sinners.
We know your will, but we are too weak to fulfill it.
Our flesh and blood hold us back, and our enemy the devil
will not leave us in peace.

Pour your Holy Spirit in our hearts,
that with steadfast faith
we may cling to your Son Jesus Christ,
find comfort in his passion and death,
believe the forgiveness of sin through him
and in willing obedience to your will
lead holy lives on earth until by your grace
we depart from this world of sorrow
and obtain eternal life;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Amen

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Benediction: 

As the rising sun comes to us each dawn
Shine upon those who live in darkness
That all might know the joy of our salvation
The forgiveness of sins
And your great mercy

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

3rd Thursday in Advent: 16 Dec 2021: Psalm 80:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:10-18 ~ We are being made holy.

3rd Thursday in Advent: 16 Dec 2021
[Revised Common Lectionary Year C]

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

Opening:

Gracious God, your people look forward in hope
to the festival of our Savior’s birth.
Give us the strength to reach that happy day of salvation
and to celebrate it with hearts full of joy.
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.

“For God’s will was for us to be made holy
by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

For by that one offering he forever made perfect
those who are being made holy.”

(Hebrews 10:10,14)

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Psalms: Psalm 80:1-7 
Revival Hymn: Restore Us, O God Psalm 80]
[Proskuneo Ministries*]

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NLT)

31:31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord.

33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

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Sanctus Real*: Forgiven

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NT Reading: Hebrews 10:10-18 (NLT)

10:10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

16 “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”

17 Then he says,

“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.”

18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

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Jesus, Your Mercy | Sovereign Grace Music*

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Prayer: 

The Book of Common Prayer (2019)
Anglican Church of North America*

+ 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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+ 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.

+ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in your great mercy 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 Lord. Amen.

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If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous.
He is the propitiation for our sins,
and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the whole world.
(1 John 2:1-2)

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Benediction: 

As the rising sun comes to us each dawn
Shine upon those who live in darkness
That all might know the joy of our salvation
The forgiveness of sins
And your great mercy

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