After Pentecost| Tuesday – 02 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.

Live wisely among those who are not believers,
and make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive
so that you will have the right response for everyone.
(Colossians 4:5-6)

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Psalms Reading: Psalm 127 – Im Hashem Lo Yivneh Bayis – Shira Choir | מקהלת שירה מבצעת את ׳אם השם לא יבנה בית
[Shira Choir Sings New Song “Im Hashem Lo Yivneh Bayis”
Composed by Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz At Bar Mitzvah of the son of Shira Choir Founder and Leader Shraga Gold in Williamsburg]

Unless the Lord builds the house,
The builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep,
will neither slumber nor sleep.

Guardian of Israel

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OT Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:8 (NLT)

The Injustices of Life

3:16 I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt! I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”

I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals. For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust. For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.

4:1 Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless. So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun.

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

“Fools fold their idle hands,
leading them to ruin.”

And yet,

“Better to have one handful with quietness
than two handfuls with hard work
and chasing the wind.”

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Ecclesiastes 4 – Dale Larson Music

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NT Reading: Colossians 4:2-6 (NLT)

An Encouragement for Prayer

4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

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Fall Into Kindness – NCC Worship

 

VERSE 1
You’re the God who is working all for good
(But) What I feel doesn’t line up like it should

PRECHORUS
How do I sing?
How do I turn my heart toward praise?

CHORUS
I fall into kindness
I cannot explain
In all of the waiting
In every prayer I’ve prayed
I fall into kindness
I’m choosing to trust
Here where You meet me
You’re with me, You’re with me
Here’s where You meet me
You’re with me still

VERSE 2
You’re the God who brings dead things back to life
So then why does my miracle still die

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ 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.

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.

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.