Tag: [Revised Common Lectionary Year C]

Lent | Saturday 02 April 2022: Psalm 126; Exodus 12:21-27; John 11:45-57 ~ Jesus died for all the scattered children of God.

Lent | Saturday 02 April 2022

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

Opening:

O Lord our God,
grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart:
that desiring you, we may seek you;
and that seeking you, we may find you;
and that finding you, we may love you;
and that loving you, we may hate those sins
from which you have delivered us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Caiaphas… as high priest at that time,
was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation.
And not only for that nation,
but to bring together and unite all the children of God
scattered around the world.
(John 11:51-52)

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Psalms: Psalm 125/126 – What Marvels the Lord Worked For Us – Josephine Cheong
Ave Maria Choir sings for the Catholic parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor (Singapore)

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OT Reading: Exodus 12:21-27 (NLT)

12:21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.

“Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

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Passover | Simple Hymns | Official Music Video

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NT Reading: John 11:45-57 (NLT)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

11:45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”

Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”

He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.

So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.

It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.

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The Way of the Cross Leads Home – John Chisum

I must reach Heaven′s home by the way of the cross
There is no other way but this
I will never have sight of the gates of light
If the way of the cross I miss

Oh, the way of the cross leads home
Yes the way of the cross leads home
‘Til I reach the goal, it′s a joy to know
The way of the cross leads home
Yes the way of the cross leads home

I must journey on in the blood-washed way
The rough, thorny path He trod
I’m determined to run ’til the race is won
And my soul is at home with God

Oh, the way of the cross leads home
Yes the way of the cross leads home
′Til I reach the goal, it′s a joy to know
The way of the cross leads home
Yes the way of the cross leads home

So I bid farewell to the way of the world
To walk in it no more
For my Lord says come and I seek my home
Where He waits at the open door

Oh, the way of the cross leads home
Yes the way of the cross leads home
‘Til I reach the goal, it′s a joy to know
The way of the cross leads home
Yes the way of the cross leads home

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the Cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us  do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Closing:

Cover us with your blood,
Lord Jesus,
on our journey home.

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

Lent | Friday 01 April 2022: Psalm 126; Isaiah 43:8-15; Philippians 2:25-3:1 ~ Whatever happens, rejoice in the Lord!

Lent | Friday 01 April 2022

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

Opening:

O Lord our God,
grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart:
that desiring you, we may seek you;
and that seeking you, we may find you;
and that finding you, we may love you;
and that loving you, we may hate those sins
from which you have delivered us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters,
rejoice in the Lord.
I never get tired of telling you these things,
and I do it to safeguard your faith.
(Philippians 3:1)

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Psalms: Psalm 126 – Sojourn Music
Scott Bacher

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OT Reading: Isaiah 43:8-15 (NLT)

43:8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
“From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”

The Lord’s Promise of Victory

43:14 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,
forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.
I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator and King.

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You Are God Alone – Phillips, Craig & Dean

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NT Reading: Philippians 2:25-3:1 (NLT)

Paul Commends Epaphroditus

2:25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.

The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

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Rejoice in the Lord –Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute Singers
SE Samonte

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

A Prayer of Self-Dedication – William Temple

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Joy at the End of Life – Miles Coverdale

+ Lord Jesus, be mindful of your promise. Think of us, your servants, and when we shall depart, speak to our spirits these loving words: “Today you shall be with me in joy.” O Lord Jesus Christ, remember us, your servants who trust in you, when our tongues cannot speak, when the sight of our eyes fails, and when our ears are stopped. Let our spirits always rejoice in you and be joyful about our salvation, which you, through your death, have purchased for us. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

If God sends you down a stony path,
may he give you strong shoes.

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

Lent | Thursday 31 March 2022: Psalm 126; Isaiah 43:1-7; Philippians 2:19-24 ~ You were created for God’s glory.

Lent | Thursday 31 March 2022

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

Opening:

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills
and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what
you command and desire what you promise; that, among the
swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely
there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.”
It was I who created them.’”(Isaiah 43:7)

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Psalms: Psalm 126 – Shir Ha Ma’alot – Song of Ascents
Messianic worship from Israel

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OT Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7 (NLT)

The Savior of Israel

43:1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”

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Teshuvah Aliyah | Exodus Road Band

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NT Reading: Philippians 2:19-24 (NLT)

Paul Commends Timothy

2:19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.

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God Of My Story – Honor & Glory – (2021)
Gary McDuffee

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For All Missionaries

+ O God, you desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth: Prosper all those who live, preach, and teach the Gospel at home and in distant lands [especially those suffering great hardship and persecution]; protect them in all perils, support them in their loneliness, sustain them in the hour of trial; give them your abundant grace to bear faithful  witness; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Guidance

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us  do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

If God sends you down a stony path,
may he give you strong shoes.

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

Lent | Wednesday 30 March 2022: Psalm 53; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Luke 9:10-17 ~ Jesus gives us the Bread of Life.

Lent | Wednesday 30 March 2022

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

Opening:

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down
from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world:
Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in
him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish,
looked up toward heaven, and blessed them.
Then, breaking the loaves into pieces,
he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples
so they could distribute it to the people.
(Luke 9:16)

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Psalms: Psalm 53 – Poor Bishop Hooper – Psalm 53

the lord looks down from heaven
to see any who understand
but all have turned away

the evil man eats men as bread
but they will soon be filled with dread
though there is none to fear

oh come desired salvation
come out come forth from zion
that jacob could rejoice

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OT Reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NLT)

Elisha Helps a Poor Widow

4:1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”

So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!

“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.

“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.

When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”

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“Provider” – Urban Rescue

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NT Reading: Luke 9:10-17 (NLT)

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

9:10 When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”

But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.

Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!

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Break Thou the Bread of Life ~ Keswick
Easy Worship Resources

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For Satisfaction in Christ – Julian of Norwich

+ O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all. Amen.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Be the Life I live
Be the Love I give

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

Lent | Tuesday 29 March 2022: Psalm 53; Leviticus 25:1-19; Revelation 19:9-10 ~ Give a clear witness for Jesus.

Lent | Tuesday 29 March 2022

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

Opening:

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down
from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world:
Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in
him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Worship only God.
For the essence of prophecy
is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”
(Revelation 19:10c)

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Psalms: Psalm 53 – There Is No God – Jason Silver

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OT Reading: Leviticus 25:1-19 (NLT)

The Sabbath Year

25:1 While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Lord said to him, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you have entered the land I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath rest before the Lord every seventh year. For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops, but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year. And don’t store away the crops that grow on their own or gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. The land must have a year of complete rest. But you may eat whatever the land produces on its own during its Sabbath. This applies to you, your male and female servants, your hired workers, and the temporary residents who live with you. Your livestock and the wild animals in your land will also be allowed to eat what the land produces.

The Year of Jubilee

25:8 “In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, seven sets of seven years, adding up to forty-nine years in all. Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, blow the ram’s horn loud and long throughout the land. Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. This fiftieth year will be a jubilee for you. During that year you must not plant your fields or store away any of the crops that grow on their own, and don’t gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. It will be a jubilee year for you, and you must keep it holy. But you may eat whatever the land produces on its own. In the Year of Jubilee each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors.

“When you make an agreement with your neighbor to buy or sell property, you must not take advantage of each other. When you buy land from your neighbor, the price you pay must be based on the number of years since the last jubilee. The seller must set the price by taking into account the number of years remaining until the next Year of Jubilee. The more years until the next jubilee, the higher the price; the fewer years, the lower the price. After all, the person selling the land is actually selling you a certain number of harvests. Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God.

“If you want to live securely in the land, follow my decrees and obey my regulations. Then the land will yield large crops, and you will eat your fill and live securely in it.

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Jubilee (feat. Naomi Raine & Bryan & Katie Torwalt) – Maverick City | TRIBL (Lyrics)
Light of the World

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NT Reading: Revelation 19:9-10 (NLT)

19:9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.”

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You Are God Alone [Not A God] – WOMEN OF FAITH

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

We Praise You, O God

+ We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord; *
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

+ The glorious company of apostles praise you. *
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. *
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

+ You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free *
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come to be our judge.

+ Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints *
to glory everlasting.

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Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

Be the Life I live
Be the Love I give

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