The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30 Aug 2020: Jeremiah 15:19-21, Psalm 26, Matthew 16:21-27 ~ “What is your soul worth?

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

O Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow after us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,
take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:16-24)

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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – (Virtual Choir #4)

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:19-21 (NLT)

The Lord responds:

“If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
They will fight against you like an attacking army,
but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.
They will not conquer you,
for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

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Psalm 26 – Caryn Borland

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 16:21-27 (NLT)

Take Up Your Cross

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

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Prayer –

Almighty God: Our help in ages past, our hope in years to come. You are our shield and defender against wicked people, and the schemes of Satan. Protect us and rescue us. We pray especially –

+ For Christians who suffer — that they may not give up….
Lord, hear us.
_ For all who are criticized for doing the right thing — that they may hold firm….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the grace to support each other in the hardships of life – that our burdens may be shared….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are suffering because of the pandemic – that they may be comforted….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body – that they may be healed….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are suffering the effects of civil unrest – that their families and communities may be restored….
Lord, hear us.

Almighty God: Our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; you have disarmed every “power and principality” through Jesus’ death on the cross. Help us to take up our own crosses every day, and follow him, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It’s in his name we pray. Amen.

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Defend Us – Jessica Di Giovanni

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Closing – Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

13th Sunday after Pentecost: 03 Sep – Matthew 16:21-27 ~ give up, take up, and follow

13th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

O God, whose word burns like a fire within us, grant us a bold and faithful spirit, that in your strength we may be unafraid to speak your word and follow where you lead. 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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“Let It Rise” – Praise & Harmony Singers

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Reading: Matthew 16:21-27 (NLT)

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Intercessory Prayer

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we pray to our God, who has always been our help.

+ For Christians who suffer persecution for their faith — that they may hold firm…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who endure criticism for doing the right thing — that they may have the courage to persevere…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the grace to support our fellow pilgrims in their hardships — that we may become more aware of each other’s needs…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people suffering because of severe flooding along the Gulf Coast — that your people may come to their aid…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body — that their way of the cross may bring them to glory…. Lord, hear us.
+ For church leaders taking on new responsibilites this year — that you may sustain them when they feel lonely or downhearted…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died in Christ – that they may also share his victory and resurrection to eternal life…. Lord, hear us.

O Lord our God, your love is better than life: come to our help, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Take Up Your Cross” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 104:33-35 (NLT)

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth; let the wicked disappear forever. Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Sunday: 13 September – Isaiah 50:5-9; Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 ~ turn, take, and follow

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentence and Prayer:

In our journey through life, we walk the path Jesus walked: we cannot escape suffering, any more than He could.
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Make us one, O God, in acknowledging Jesus as Christ and Lord. As we proclaim Him by our words, let us follow Him in our works; give us strength to take up the cross and courage to lose our lives for His sake. 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: “Majesty / All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 50:5-9 (NLT)
[Isaiah describes someone suffering nobly. Christians think of Jesus when they hear these words.]

The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty?
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9 (NLT)

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!”

How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
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He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
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“Psalm 116 – Sons of Korah”

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A Reading from the Letters: James 2:14-18 (NLT)
[James challenges all Christians to put their faith into action.]

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” — but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 8:27-35 (NLT)
[Jesus tells his followers about the kind of end he will have, and tells them they too may have to suffer.]

Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
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“Wonderful Merciful Savior” – Selah

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Intercessions:

The Sovereign Lord is our helper and protector: with confidence we approach His throne of mercy and grace.

+ For Christian families around the world – that our family life may be renewed in Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians being persecuted for their faith, in Syria and Iraq and throughout the Middle East — that they may know Christ’s presence as they carry the cross…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those seeking safety in Europe — that they receive the necessities of life that they need…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Christians of Europe — that their actions may match their faith…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those in need in our own country — that they may find shelter, food, clothing, and the medical help they need…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all of us, as we begin a new week – that we may learn to live each day as followers of Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died – especially those who died on 9/11, and subsequently, through Islamist violence – that they may live forever in Your presence…. Lord, hear us.

God of all compassion, You protect Your people in every difficulty: hear our prayers and grant us Your grace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Take Up Your Cross” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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Benediction:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

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

Morning Prayer: 19 Feb – Dt 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25 ~ choose life / follow me

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

If anyone wishes to be a follower of mine, he must deny himself; he must take up his cross and come with me, says the Lord.
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Lord, be the beginning and end of everything I do and say today. Prompt my actions with Your grace, and complete them with Your all-powerful help. 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 Testamet: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NLT)

The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise Vincent van Gogh, May 31, 1890 Musée d'Orsay, Paris — The Church in Auvers-sur-Oise
Vincent van Gogh, May 31, 1890
Musée d’Orsay, Paris

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
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Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 9:22-25 (NLT)

“The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
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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

22nd Ordinary Sunday: Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27 ~ on living sacrifices

22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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

Opening prayer:

As we gather to praise God and to ask for His help and grace, we are mindful of the difficult road before us – the way of the cross.

O God, whose word burns like a fire within us, grant us a bold and faithful spirit, that in Your strength we may be unafraid to speak Your word and follow where You lead. 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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Holy One / Your name is power and might
We have gathered here to worship You
By Your blood / And precious sacrifice
We have gathered here to worship You

Praise His Name / In all the earth
Jesus, we praise Your name
Praise His Name / In all the earth
Jesus, we praise Your name

Holy One, You’re clothed in blinding light
The darkness flees as You draw near
Through Your death we know Your endless life
Let Your glory now appear

Holy One, When Heaven calls us home
All will gather ‘round Your throne
There we’ll sing to You most Holy One
To You our God, To You alone

Hallelujah, Holy One we worship You
Hallelujah, Holy One we worship You
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A Reading from the Old testament: Jeremiah 20:7-9 (NLT)

O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me. When I speak, the words burst out. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (NLT)

I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
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Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
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You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.
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I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth.
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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 16:21-27 (NLT)

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
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I can’t earn your favour / There’s nothing I must do / To win your approval
I can’t make you love me / More than you already do / Your love has no conditions

So I lay down my striving / And I lay down – everything
Just to be with you / My soul rests in you
And I can hear you singing over me / I am loved

You sing / A song of rejoicing, A song of delight, A song that pursues me / In the day and in the night
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Intercessions:

O God, our ever-present help in times of trouble, hear our prayer:

+ For Christians around the world who suffer persecution for their faith – that they may hold firm in the face of every trial….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all those who endure criticism for doing what they believe is right – that they may have the courage to persevere….
Lord, hear us.

+ For teachers and students returning to school these autumn days – that they may have the grace to make a new start….
Lord, hear us.

+ For the grace to support our brothers and sisters in Christ in the hardships of life – that we may become more aware of each other’s sufferings….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body – that their way of the cross may bring them to glory….
Lord, hear us.

+ For our own needs, for those we love, and for those who have asked for prayer….
Lord, hear us.

+ For those who have recently died, especially as martyrs for their faith in Christ – that sharing the cross of Christ they may also share his victory over death….
Lord, hear us.

O Lord our God, Your love is better than life: come to our help, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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