Saturday, 11 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 21:1-17; Matthew 21:23-32 ~ By faith: believe in Jesus Christ.

Saturday, 11 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the
temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure
hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you,
the tax collectors and the prostitutes
go into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness,
and you did not believe him,
but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him.
And even when you saw it,
you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”
(Matthew 21:31-32)

__________

Psalms: Psalm 19 – Sons of Korah

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

__________

OT Reading: Proverbs 21:1-17 (ESV)

21:1  The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.

8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.

9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked down to ruin.

13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.

16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

__________

Rejoice // Brad & Rebekah

__________

NT Reading: Matthew 21:23-32 (ESV)

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

21:23  And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

21:28  “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

__________

Big Daddy Weave – Jesus I Believe

__________

Prayer:

Profession of Faith – The Nicene Creed
[On Jesus Christ]

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

__________

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors.

__________

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

Advent Prayer: 2nd Saturday 12 Dec 2020 – Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:13-19; Matthew 21:28-32 ~ Repent: there’s still time.

Advent Prayer: 2nd Saturday 12 Dec 2020

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

Opening:

With tender comfort and transforming power you come into our midst, O God of mercy and might. Make ready a way in the wilderness, clear a straight path in our hearts, and form us into a repentant people, that the advent of your Son may find us watchful and eager for the glory he reveals. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

“What do you think? A man had two sons.
And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.
And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?”
Matthew 21:28-31 (ESV)

__________

“Psalm 126” (Carrying Their Sheaves)  Jason Silver

__________

Old Testament Reading: Habakkuk 3:13-19 (ESV)

13 You went out for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah

14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors,
who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,
rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
the surging of mighty waters.

16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.

Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.

__________

I Will Rejoice (From Habakkuk 3) – Nathan Clark George

__________

New Testament Reading: Matthew 21:28-32 (ESV)

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

__________

All Who Hear · Young Oceans

__________

Prayer:

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Gracious God: assist me with your Spirit, that your Word may be written in my heart to reform me, to renew me according to your own image, to build me up and edify me into the perfect dwelling place of your Christ, grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ Ever-present God: preserve me from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from me the light of your love which is immortal, and which you have shown me in your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that I, who now lives by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, my only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Blessing

May the peace of 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.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27 Sep 2020: Ezekiel 18:1-4 (25-32), Matt 21:28-32 ~ Repent, Return and Live!

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

O merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin…
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
(Ezekiel 18:30,32)

__________

” Strong God” – New Life Worship

__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (ESV)

All Souls Belong To God

The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

_____

 

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

__________

Repentance: It’s Time!Kyle Bebee – Time To Revive

__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 21:28-32 (ESV)

The Parable of the Two Sons

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

__________

Come As You Are | David Crowder

__________

Prayer:

+ For the Church (William Laud)

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ For Mercy

Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ For 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 a Spirit of Evangelism

Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

Storm The Forts of Darkness – Western Territory Staff Band

__________

Closing – Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all that we ask or imagine,
according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

__________

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