Easter Season | Thursday 25 Apr 2024
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O God, whose Son Jesus Christ
is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice,
we may know him who calls us each by name,
and follow where he leads; who,
with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Philip went to the city of Samaria
and told people about the Messiah.”
(Acts 8:5)
__________
From Psalms: Psalm 22:25-31: Dornoch Free Church
__________
OT Reading: Amos 8:1-7 (GW)
The End Has Come for Israel
8:1 This is what the Almighty Lord showed me: a basket of ripe summer fruit.
He asked, “What do you see, Amos?”
“A basket of ripe summer fruit,” I answered.
Then the Lord said to me, “My people Israel are now ripe. I will no longer overlook what they have done. On that day the songs of the temple will become loud cries,” declares the Almighty Lord. “There will be dead bodies scattered everywhere. Hush!”
Listen to this, those who trample on the needy
and ruin those who are oppressed in the world.
You say to yourselves,
“When will the New Moon Festival be over
so that we can sell more grain?
When will the day of rest—a holy day, be over
so that we can sell more wheat?
We can shrink the size of the bushel baskets,
increase the cost,
and cheat with dishonest scales.
We can buy the poor with money
and the needy for a pair of sandals.
We can sell the husks mixed in with the wheat.”
The Lord has sworn an oath by Jacob’s pride:
“I will never forget anything that they have done.”
__________
Rachem (Mercy) / LEVI LIFE MUSIC
https://youtu.be/BYVXW7-c868?si=REh0M6kdLKNjk0Dq?rel=0
__________
NT Reading: Acts 8:1b-8 (GW)
8:1b On that day widespread persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Most believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Devout men buried Stephen as they mourned loudly for him.
Saul tried to destroy the church. He dragged men and women out of one home after another and threw them into prison.
Some Samaritans Become Believers
8:4 The believers who were scattered went from place to place, where they spread the word. Philip went to the city of Samaria and told people about the Messiah. The crowds paid close attention to what Philip said. They listened to him and saw the miracles that he performed. Evil spirits screamed as they came out of the many people they had possessed. Many paralyzed and lame people were cured. As a result, that city was extremely happy.
__________
Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin / Grace Bible Church – Adell
__________
+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift justice and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Deliver the hostages from captivity and restore their souls. Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically – and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
8:1b And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
The Peanut Gallery 