Tag: Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

Tuesday of 2nd Week of Easter, 25 Apr – Mark 16:15-20 ~ power outage?

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God, grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may receive power from on high, and show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Reading: Mark 16:15-20 (NLT)

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Peanut Gallery: There was a power outage at our house today – nothing serious, only for a couple of hours.

The lights were out, no stove or refrigerator, no music or news, and the garage door wouldn’t open. Our cell phones worked as long as the batteries held out, but we couldn’t recharge them.

I’m over-stating the case. We live in a South Carolina hurricane zone and do know how to cope with power outages.

Still, it got me thinking about today’s reading and the church. Is today’s church trying to function in the middle of a serious spiritual power outage? Have God’s people become powerless? Is a power outage the new normal for the church?

God of power and might: send us your Spirit. Fill your church and your people with your power.

+ Bind us to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the branches draw life from the vine.
+ Send us into the world to preach, teach and heal with the power of your Spirit.
+ Prepare the lost, the sick, the demonized, and the broken-hearted to believe and be baptized.
+ Work through us, Lord, confirming what we do and say by miraculous signs.

God of power and might: we must decrease so that you may increase – for apart from you, we can do nothing. We pray, come Holy Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ and for your glory. Amen.
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“Fall Afresh” – Amanda Cook (Bethel Music)


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Concluding Prayer

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. – Psalm 89:1-2
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: 14 Apr – Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7-15 ~ united in heart and mind

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

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

Opening prayer:

Almighty God, give Your people the grace to proclaim the power of Jesus, our Risen Lord. We have received the first fruits of His grace: prepare us for the full revelation of His gifts. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from Acts: Acts 4:32-37 (NLT)

noneedyperson

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
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The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 3:7-15 (NLT)

holy_spirit

So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
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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