After Epiphany | Friday – 27 Jan 2023
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Give us grace, O Lord,
to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ
and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation,
that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Elders who do their work well
should be respected and paid well,
especially those who work hard
at both preaching and teaching.
(1 Timothy 5:17)
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From Psalms: Psalm 15 – The Corner Room
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OT Reading: Deuteronomy 24:17-25:4 (NLT)
24:17 “True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow’s garment as security for her debt. Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God redeemed you from your slavery. That is why I have given you this command.
“When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do. When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don’t glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.
25:1 “Suppose two people take a dispute to court, and the judges declare that one is right and the other is wrong. If the person in the wrong is sentenced to be flogged, the judge must command him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate to the crime. But never give more than forty lashes; more than forty lashes would publicly humiliate your neighbor.
“You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.
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Generous Giver – Vintage Worship
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NT Reading: 1 Timothy 5:17-24 (NLT)
5:17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.
I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.
Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.
Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.
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In My Generation ( I Want to Serve the Purpose )
Divine Hymns
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+ Almighty God, you have raised up servants to be pastors in your church: Give to all of them the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
+ Gracious God, you have also given some of your servants special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth revealed in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
+ O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
Transform us first, Lord,
that we might transform this world
through your love and your power.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 