+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentences
Heavenly Father, you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you: Look upon the heartfelt desires of your humble servants, and stretch forth the strong hand of your Majesty to be our defense against our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
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Reading: John 6:68 (NLT)
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus: you call me to follow you; to turn away from my own self-interest, and to take up my cross and follow after you, even if the path is difficult to see, or is heading in a direction I would never have chosen for myself.
Forgive me for being so quick to question and so hesitant to follow. Help me to see with the eyes of faith, rather than from my own human point of view.
Teach me to follow you without fear, knowing that you are always with me, leading the way to eternal life. Amen.
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“Wonderful Words of Life” – Dallas Christian Adult Concert Choir
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Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ 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!
Opening Sentence
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Morning Reading: 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.”
Morning Prayer
Christ the Lord has made me into a new creation. He has given me a new birth in the waters of baptism and nourishes me with his Word and his Spirit. Jesus, you are gentle and humble in spirit; renew me by your grace.
+ Grant me something of your compassion, something of your kindness, and something of your patience towards all whom I encounter today.
+ Teach me to be a good neighbor to the sad and the needy, following your example of the good Samaritan.
+ Intercede for me before the Father and fill me with your Spirit that I may serve you ever more perfectly.
+ Grant me the gift of your mercy, pardon my sins and deliver me from evil.
Renew me, Lord God, in this yearly season of grace as I ponder the mysteries of Easter. Grant, that my joy may be completed by seeing them fulfilled in my life. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“God Be Merciful to Me” – Indelible Grace
Closing Sentence
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence and prayer:
Lord, let Your wisdom be with me to help me and to work with me.
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Jesus, You are gentle and humble in spirit; grant me something of Your compassion, something of Your kindness and something of Your patience towards all people. Teach me to be a neighbor to the sad and the needy; let me imitate You, the good Samaritan. Grant me the gift of Your mercy; renew me, Lord, by Your grace. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Hosea 6:1-6 (NLT)
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord. “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces — to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
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If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Psalm 95:8)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)
Adam And Eve George Frederick Watts, 1865 Private Collection
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.”
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Canticle
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
Blessing:
May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 