+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Lord God, grant your people constant joy in the renewed vigor of our souls. We rejoice because you have restored us to the glory of your adopted children: let us look forward gladly in the certain hope of resurrection. 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. Amen.
I will send the Holy Spirit to you. He will guide you into all truth..
A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:5-11 (NLT)
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 16:22-34 (NLT)
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
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Responsorial Psalm 138 (NLT)
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
will sing your praises before the gods.
+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me strength.
+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,
for all of them will hear your words.
Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,
for the glory of the Lord is very great.
Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
but he keeps his distance from the proud.
+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.
+ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
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Psalm 138 – Psalm Project Africa
Closing: John 16:7,13
I will send the Holy Spirit to you. He will guide you into all truth.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 138 (NLT) – A psalm of David.
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great. Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
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Morning Prayer
O Lord our God: We sing praises to your name, and declare your greatness before all powers and authorities –
+ because of your loving-kindness on display around us…
+ because of your faithfulness to your promises to us…
+ because of your encouragement and strength in our times of trouble…
O Lord our God: We sing praises to your name, and declare your greatness before all powers and authorities –
+ because, one day, all shall repent and acknowledge your Kingship…
+ because, one day, the poor and humble will be heirs of your Kingdom…
+ because, one day, you will raise us to live forever in your Kingdom…
O Lord our God: We sing praises to your name, and declare your greatness before all powers and authorities; for you have sent us your Son, Jesus Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever – King of kings, and Lord of lords. Amen.
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“Psalm 138” (On the Day I Called, O Lord) – Catholic Wench [Music composed for a friend’s funeral.]
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We can ask God for help whenever we need to, today or any day. God is always concerned for us.
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, with the prayer your Son taught us always on our lips, we ask, we seek, we knock at your door. In our every need, grant us the first and best of all your gifts, the Spirit who makes us your children. 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.
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“This Kingdom” -Hillsong | Darlene Zschech
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 18:20-32 (NLT)
[God shows his justice as he heeds Abraham’s plea on behalf of the righteous minority.]
So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sake? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”
“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”
Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
__________
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8 (NLT)
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
_____
Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.
The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
__________
“Psalm 138” – The Psalm Project
__________
A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 2:12-14 (NLT)
[The Colossians were concerned about Jewish laws. Paul insists that Jesus has over-ridden all the old requirements.]
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 11:1-13 (NLT)
[If we pray persistently for God’s help, it will be given.]
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:
“Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
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“Come To Me” – Jenn Johnson // Bethel Music
I am the Lord your God, I go before you now. I stand beside you. I’m all around you. And though you feel I’m far away, I’m closer than your breath. I am with you. More than you know.
I am the Lord your peace, No evil will conquer you. Steady now your heart and mind, Come into my rest. And oh, let your faith arise, And lift up your weary head. I am with you, Wherever you go.
Come to me, I’m all you need. Come to me, I’m everything. Come to me, I’m all you need. Come to me, I’m your everything
I am your anchor, in the wind and the waves. And I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid. Though your heart and flesh may fail you, I’m your faithful strength. And I am with you, Wherever you go.
Don’t look to the right or to the left, keep your eyes on me. You will not be shaken, you will not be moved.
I am the hand to hold, I am the truth, I am the way. Just come to me, come to me, Cause I’m all that you need.
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Intercessory Prayer:
Merciful God: you always listen to and answer our prayers. Hear us now as we approach your throne of grace –
+ That the young people from around the world may come to you in Krakow this week…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians everywhere may realize that you are our only hope and rely on your help…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may abound in generosity and share what we have with the the hungry and dispossessed…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may recognize the image of God in everyone, especially in indigenous peoples around the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who are on our hearts and minds today may feel the presence of your Spirit…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all the members of our families may experience your blessing and peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have gone before us in faith may share in Christ’s power and be raised up to eternal life…. Lord, hear us.
God of glory and majesty, you answer the prayers of those who call out to you: be with your people in their every need, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Our Father” – Jenn Johnson // Have It All
Our Father in Heaven | Hallowed be Your name | Your Kingdom come quickly | Your will be done the same
On Earth as it is in Heaven | Let Heaven come to | Earth as it is in Heaven | Let Heaven come
Let Heaven come, let Heaven come
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the power | Yours is the glory forever, amen | Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the power | Yours is the glory forever amen
Benediction:
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
Everyone who believes God’s word is called to pass on the Good News. Like many who have gone before us, including the prophet Isaiah and the apostles Peter and Paul, we may not feel up to the task, but God helps us every day.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory, and in your presence angels stand in awe. Enlarge our vision, that we may recognize your power at work in your Son and join the apostles and prophets as heralds of your saving word. 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.
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Hymn: “All The Heavens” – Hillsong
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT)
[Isaiah sees the holiness of God and is called to be God’s messenger.]
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,
The Six Winged Seraph Mikhail Vrubel, 1905 Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, Moscow, Russia
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
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A Reading from Psalms: Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8 (NLT)
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great.
_____
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
__________
“Psalm 138” – The Psalm Project
__________
A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 11 (NLT)
[Paul summarizes his message: he preaches the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.]
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
_____
So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)
[Jesus calls fishermen to help him in his mission. Though they feel unworthy, like Isaiah, they follow him.]
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
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Hymn: “Be Not Afraid” – Cat Jahnke
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Intercessions:
God’s love is eternal, so with confidence we approach his throne of grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
+ For all who recognize their unworthiness in your presence – that we may receive your forgiveness and cleansing…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who feel surrounded by troubles, pressed on all sides by their enemies – that we may receive your deliverance…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are called to proclaim your saving Word today — that we may not give up when faced with opposition…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who teach others about faith in Christ, especially parents and teachers — that we may share the Good News with gentleness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are sick, and for our friends living in hospitals or nursing homes – that you may be close to them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have gone before us in faith, especially through war, violence or natural disaster – that they may sing your praises with the angelic host…. Lord, hear us.
Loving God, your faithfulness has no bounds, let your hand guide your people. We ask in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Agnus Dei (Worthy is the Lamb)” – Michael W. Smith
Benediction:
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. (Jude 24-25)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 