Tag: Universalis

6th Sunday after Pentecost: 16 July – Matthew 13:1-23 ~ Farming 101

6th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of the heavens, God of the earth, all creation awaits your gift of new life. Prepare our hearts to receive the word of your Son, that this good news may grow within us and yield a harvest that is a hundredfold. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Psalm 84” – the Protestant Reformed Churches in America


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Reading: Matthew 13:1-23 (NLT)

Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.

For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes — so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
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Intercessory Prayer

Gracious God: You crown me with love and tender mercy; you fill my life with goodness. Hear me as I pray –

+ That all your people may hear, understand, and live your Word….
+ That hard-hearted people may be broken and prepared to receive your Word….
+ That new believers may become deeply rooted in your Word….
+ That believers everywhere may seek your kingdom first, above all else….
+ That believers everywhere may see their faithfulness rewarded by changed lives….
+ That believers who have gone before us in death may share the glory awaiting all your people….

God our creator, you provide for the earth and for all who live, hear to my prayer, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 85” – John Alexander Wilson 2016, The Free Church of Scotland.


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Concluding Prayer – 1 Cor. 15:58 (NLT)

Therefore, my beloved friends, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

5th Sunday after Pentecost: 09 July – Matthew 11:25-30 ~ rest for the weary

5th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, by whose gracious will the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike, teach us humility of heart after the example of your Son, that in shouldering his yoke we may find refreshment and rest. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Song Of Moses” – Aaron Keyes


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Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT)

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Prayer:

Our God is kind and compassionate; he welcomes us into his presence and listens to the cries of our hearts –

+ That believers everywhere may learn to trust in your gentle support….

+ That leaders in every tribe and nation may work for peace….

+ That the people of Syria and Iraq may be delivered from violence and danger….

+ That civil debate and discourse might replace the politics of personal destruction….

+ That all who labor and are overburdened may find rest, physically and spiritually….

+ That those who suffer in body, soul or spirit may be healed by Christ Jesus….

+ For all who have died in war, or in service to their country, that they may be raised to eternal life with Christ Jesus….

God of compassion and faithfulness, you raise up all who are bowed down: hear our prayer we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 62” – Aaron Keyes


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Concluding Prayer –

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. – 2 Th. 2:16-17 (NLT)
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

4th Sunday after Pentecost: 02 July – Matthew 10:37-42 ~ lose your life to find your Life

4th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, your never-failing care and guidance sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us. May your Word penetrate and enlighten our lives, 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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“Be Unto Your Name” – Robin Mark


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Reading: Matthew 10:37-42 (NLT)

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Our heart’s desire is to love and serve you as a faithful witness to the Light and Life that you brought into our dark, dysfunctional world.

+ We pray for our families in all their expressions; deliver us from self-contained selfishness – that we may be freely serve the interests of those around us.

+ Free us from oppressive family relationships; protect us in body, mind, and spirit – that we might become the new creations that you intend us to be.

+ Establish among us stable, loving families and marriages, where children are welcomed, loved and taught your ways.

+ Set us firmly in the family of faith, that we may be numbered among your children; show us how to faithfully follow you, while fulfilling our responsibilities to our natural family.

+ Make our homes a school of Gospel values; of justice, of sobriety, of service, of generosity, of prayer, of mercy and forgiveness.

Gracious God: We would love you first – with all our, heart, mind, soul, and strength; and then, we would love our neighbors as ourselves. Empower us by your Spirit to put both of your commandments into practice in our homes – that our families, both faith and human, may manifest your Light and Life in our dark, dysfunctional world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“When Its All Been Said and Done” – Robin Mark


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Concluding Prayer –

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. – Jude 24-25 (NLT)
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

3rd Sunday after Pentecost: 25 June – Matthew 10:26-33 ~ choose faith over fear

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Implant in my heart the love of your Name, increase in me true faith and life, nourish me with all goodness, and bring forth in me the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ my Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“God You are My God” – Desperation Band


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Reading: Matthew 10:26-33 (NLT)

“Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
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Prayer:

Sovereign Lord: In these troubled times, fill my heart with strong love and firm faith, that I may choose to trust you in every circumstance – even when I’m afraid.

+ Deliver me from the fear of losing my security, my comfort, or my well-being.
+ Deliver me from the fear of losing my money, my friends, or even my family.
+ Deliver me from the fear of ridicule, of criticism, or the opinion of others.
+ Deliver me from the fear of uncertainty, of losing control, or the unknown.

Sovereign Lord: In these troubled times, fill my heart with strong love and firm faith, that I may confess my true convictions and bear witness to my faith.

+ Give me the faith to live confidently and freely as your beloved child.
+ Give me the faith to face problems, to address conflicts, and to live responsibly.
+ Give me the faith to live bravely, strengthened by your power at work within me.
+ Give me the faith to be a credible example of the transforming power of your love.

Sovereign Lord: In these troubled times, I place my trust in you – your reign and your justice – whether I understand what you are doing or not, through Jesus Christ my Lord, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Trust In You” – Lauren Daigle


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 56:3, 12-13 (NLT)

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
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I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Saturday, 24 June – Acts 7:54-8:3 ~ Lord, forgive them

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, as I turn to your Word for me, may the Spirit of God rest upon me. Help me to be steadfast in my hearing, in my speaking, in my believing, and in my living. Amen.

Reading: Acts 7:54-8:3 (NLT)

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

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Reflection and Prayer:

Merciful God: Fill me with your Spirit and keep before me a vision of your heavenly glory, especially when faced with persecution or oppression, that I may trust you until my life’s end and forgive those who have sinned against me even as you have forgiven me. Through Jesus Christ my Savior, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Losing” – Tenth Avenue North


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 118:19-21 (NLT)

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!