After New Year’s Day | Tuesday 02 Jan 2024
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty God, you have poured upon us
the new light of your incarnate Word:
Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts,
may shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Do any of you have wisdom and insight?
Show this by living the right way
with the humility that comes from wisdom.
(James 3:13)
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From Psalms: Psalm 148 – (Anglican Chant) [Chet Valley Churches]
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OT Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7 (GW)
The Reasons for Proverbs
1:1 The proverbs of Solomon, David’s son who was king of Israel, ⌞given⌟
+ to grasp wisdom and discipline,
+ to understand deep thoughts,
+ to acquire the discipline of wise behavior—
righteousness and justice and fairness—
+ to give insight to gullible people,
+ to give knowledge and foresight to the young—
a wise person will listen and continue to learn,
and an understanding person will gain direction—
+ to understand a proverb and a clever saying,
the words of wise people and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline.
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The Fear of the Lord – First Baptist Dallas
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NT Reading: James 3:13-18 (GW)
Live Wisely
3:13 Do any of you have wisdom and insight? Show this by living the right way with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and filled with self-centered ambition, don’t brag. Don’t say that you are wise when it isn’t true. That kind of wisdom doesn’t come from above. It belongs to this world. It is self-centered and demonic. Wherever there is jealousy and rivalry, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere. A harvest that has God’s approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers.
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God of Grace and God of Glory – (Fifth Presbyterian Church Choir) [Jonathan C. Cuevas]
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+ O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ O God, our heavenly Father: Pour out your Spirit on your faithful people in the Middle East, that your Son’s life-giving Gospel may be preached to every tribe and nation. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
May God, who has called us out of darkness
into his marvelous light,
bless us and fill us with peace.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 