Tag: Poor

Morning Prayer: Thu, 02 Mar – Psalm 12; Matthew 24:45 ~ at your service

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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

Opening Sentences

Our Lord is a seasonal God; He comes, He departs. His faithfulness never changes, but His seasons do! There are seasons when the tree is green, there are seasons when it is dry, and seasons, when for the life of us, the thing looks dead. It is only through seasons that true growth may come.
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Reading: Psalm 12 (NLT)

Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.

They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”

The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.
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Reading: Matthew 24:45 (NLT)

concierge_595

A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: in this Lenten season, walk with me through the wilderness of deceit, violence and injustice extant in our world.

+ Show me where you are already at work in the midst of it all; and give me the humility and courage to join you in that work.

+ Show me where I fit into your scheme of things; and use my gifts and abilities to lift the burden of the poor and helpless.

Heavenly Father: I place myself in your service – fill me with faith and common sense that I may serve you responsibly. Through Jesus Christ, your Son and my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Make Me A Servant” – Maranatha Singers


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Blessing

“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.” – Revelation 1:5b-6

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

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8 ~ let all who are helpless take heart

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins:   (pause).   Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 (NLT)

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me — the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Intercessions:

helplessGod of Justice and Mercy – You hear the cries of the poor and oppressed; hear me as I humbly lay my concerns before Your throne of grace:

  • That Your people may preach and live a life of humility, repentance, and joyful fidelity… (pause) Lord hear my prayer.
  • That all people everywhere may hear and believe the Good News of the Gospel… (pause) Lord hear my prayer.
  • That all those who serve You under difficult, seeemingly impossible, circumstances – particularly those who feel deserted – may be strengthened by Your Spirit and faithful in their witness… (pause) Lord hear my prayer.
  • That Your Spirit may inspire those in the media, and in turn Your people, to be a stronger voice for the weak, the marginalized, and the unborn… (pause) Lord hear my prayer.
  • For the sick and the lonely, and all whom the Lord has called from this world, as well as those who mourn their loss… (pause) Lord hear my prayer.
  •  For the poor and dispossessed, particularly in the Middle East, who cry out in their oppression – rain down justice… (pause) Lord hear my prayer.

O God, I humbly place these needs before you and ask for all things according to Your Kingdom purpose on earth as it is in heaven.  To Christ be glory, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Anthem: “Rise, Ye Children of Salvation”

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

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 14:1.7-14 NLT ~ guest list

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1.7-14 NLT

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely….

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

Cuba Party with the Poor - click on photo for more -
Cuba Party with the Poor
– click on photo for more –

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – When I make my daily choices – particularly of friends and associates – may I do so without thinking “What’s in it for me?”… but rather, “What’s in it for you?” Amen.

Hymn: “As We Gather at Your Table” – Carl P. Daw

As we gather at your table, as we listen to your Word, help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred. Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own; teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love’s victory known.

Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life; send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife. Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave; may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.

Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least. There no more will envy blind us nor will pride our peace destroy, as we join with saints and angels to repeat the sounding joy.

Morning Reading: Luke 14:7-14 NLT – guest seating

Reading: Luke 14:7-14 NLT

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

"The Supper with Simon"Philippe de Champaigne (c1656)
“The Supper with Simon”
Philippe de Champaigne (c1656)

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Prayer:  Lord Jesus – once again you challenge me to see life through your eyes. Help me to welcome people into my life and love them, not because they can do something for me, but because they are made in your image – to honor them, is to honor you. May you receive all honor and glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “The Table of Grace” -Phillips, Craig & Dean (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 4.16-21 NLT – Spirit of the Lord

“Jesus Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
in his home town of Nazareth,”
by Greg Olson

Reading: Luke 4.16-21 NLT

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them.

“The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Help me to see the world as You see it… the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed. And help me to be a bearer of Your Good News. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Lord You Have My Heart” – Delirious? (YouTube)