After Pentecost| Monday – 01 Aug 2022
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty and merciful God,
it is only by your grace that your faithful people
offer you true and laudable service:
Grant that we may run without stumbling
to obtain your heavenly promises;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Work willingly at whatever you do,
as though you were working for the Lord
rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you
an inheritance as your reward,
and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
(Colossians 3:23-24)
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Psalms Reading: Psalm 127 – Unless the Lord builds the House | The Corner Room
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OT Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 (NLT)
The Futility of Pleasure
2:1 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
The Wise and the Foolish
2:12 So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness (for who can do this better than I, the king?. I thought, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten.
So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
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Chasing After The Wind | genesis navarro
+ Tell me brother, where is the meaning
What does man gain, from all his labor
+ All the rivers run down to the ocean
Yet the sea is never full
+ What is twisted, can never be straightened
What is lacking can never be counted
+ For with wisdom, comes much sorrow
The more that’s known, the more we grieve in pain
+ I was a teacher, the King of all of Israel
I was a wise man, the wisest in the land
+ I was a rich man, I built the greatest houses
But without the hand of God, my life could have no meaning
It’s just chasing after (chasing after the wind)
+ The eye will never, have enough of seeing
The ear will never, hear enough to fill
+ There is nothing, new beneath the heavens
What has been will someday come again
+ All my wisdom, all of my labor
Are as folly, in the sight of God
+ For the wise man, and the fool are not remembered
They will die and be forgotten all the same
+ You are a teacher, the lord of all the kingdom
You are a wise man, the wisest in the land
+ You are a rich man, You refuse your heart no pleasure
But without the hand of God, Your life will have no meaning
You’re just chasing after (chasing after the wind)
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NT Reading: Colossians 3:18-4:1 (NLT)
Instructions for Christian Households
3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
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<To the Work | Dallas Christian Adult Concert Choir
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+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
+ 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.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
May the love of the Father,
the tenderness of the Son,
and the presence of the Spirit,
gladden your heart
and bring peace to your soul,
this day and all days, Amen.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
The Peanut Gallery 