Tag: Universalis

21st Sunday after Pentecost: 29 Oct – Matthew 22:34-40 ~ the bottom line

21st Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Your love, O God, is boundless. We who were strangers have been made Your children. We who were defenseless have been brought into Your household. Keep us mindful of Your deeds of mercy, that we may love You with our whole heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. 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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“Agnus Dei” – The Acappella Company Praise and Harmony


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Reading: Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT)

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
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Intercessory Prayer

God our refuge and our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble, hear our prayers –

+ For all who follow Jesus Christ, that our love for one another may be evident to all….
+ For followers of Jesus Christ who are battered by war and violence, grant them Your peace….
+ For the weak and oppressed, that they may enjoy the protection of the strong and powerful….
+ For those in financial trouble, that may find the help needed to work through their indebtedness….
+ For visitors and strangers, that followers of Jesus Christ may show them love and care….
+ For widows and orphans, that they may experience compassion and justice….
+ For the faithful who have departed this life, that You may embrace them in peace….

Mighty God, You are our strength, our fortress, our savior: hear our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Overcome – Psalm 18” – James Block


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Blessing – Psalm 119:132-133 (NLT)

Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

20th Sunday after Pentecost: 22 Oct – Matthew 22:15-21 ~ hypocritical entrapment

20th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Beneficent God, it is Your will that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Look upon Your abundant harvest and send workers to preach the gospel to every creature, so that Your people, gathered by the Word of Life and supported by the power of the Holy Spirit, may advance in the way of salvation and love. 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 96” – Vertical Worship


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Reading: Matthew 22:15-21 (NLT)

Taxes for Caesar

Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
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Intercessory Prayer

God of glory and power, hear our prayers –

+ That our church leaders may preach the Gospel with faith and courage….
+ That the men and women who work for righteousness and peace may not give up….
+ That Christian missionaries may be empowered and protected, and bear much good fruit….
+ That those working to restore communities devastated by disaster may see progress….
+ That Your people may care for our neighbors, in good days and bad….
+ That church communities may be strengthened, bringing hope and healing to all….
+ That all who have gone before us in faith may experience the wonder of eternal life….

God of glory and power, You will judge the peoples in fairness: hear our prayers and graciously grant them according to Your will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Bound For Glory” – Vertical Worship

This world is not my home. I’m here for a moment. It’s all I’ve ever known. But this world is not my home.

The fight is not my own. These burdens aren’t my future. The empty tomb has shown. I am bound for glory.

I am free because I’m bound. I am bound for heavens gate. Where my feet will stand on holy ground. I am bound for glory. Bound for glory.

The saving work is done. Death is not my ending. My God has overcome. For I am bound for glory.

All my pain, hurt and shame. Gone when Jesus calls my name. Endless joy, endless praise. All when Jesus calls my name. All my pain, hurt and shame. Gone when Jesus calls my name. Endless joy, endless praise. All when Jesus calls my name.
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Blessing – Psalm 67:1-4 (NLT)

May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

19th Sunday after Pentecost: 15 Oct – Matthew 22:1-14 ~ go out and invite everyone you see

19th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of goodness and kindness, you invite all peoples to the banquet and offer them a feast beyond compare. Give us your saving grace to keep unstained the robe of your righteousness until that day when you welcome us to heaven’s joyful table. 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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“Come Into His Presence” – Don Moen


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Reading: Matthew 22:1-14 (NLT)

Parable of the Great Feast

Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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Intercessory Prayer

Friends in Christ, let us pray to our heavenly Father, who gently shepherds all His flock. Lord, hear us –

+ For every follower of Christ — that our belief in life after death may sustain us….
+ For those who have yet to hear the Good News of Christ — that your people may go out and bring them in….
+ For an end to war and terror — that your people everywhere may live quiet, peaceful, lives….
+ For those suffering from the devastation of natural disasters — that your people might bring help and hope….
+ For couples preparing for marriage — that the gentle shepherd may guide them now and forever….
+ For those we love, particularly all who are sick, lonely and helpless – that we may show them your love and grace….
+ For our friends in Christ who have preceded us in death – that a place at the eternal banquet may be theirs….

God our shepherd, you invite us to your table in heaven: give us the grace we need on our journey, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Come To The Table” – Sidewalk Prophets


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Blessing – Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

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

18th Sunday after Pentecost: 08 Oct – Matthew 21:33-43 ~ God expects a proper harvest

18th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Yours, O God, is the vineyard and its harvest, yours the kingdom of justice and peace. You call your people to tend its growth. Bless the work entrusted to our hands, that we may offer you an abundance of just works, a rich harvest of peace. 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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“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters


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Reading: Matthew 21:33-43 (NLT)

Parable of the Evil Farmers

“Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

“Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

“But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.

“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”

The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’

I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.
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Intercessory Prayer

Sovereign God: you are our Lord and Master; hear the prayers of your servants –

+ For your people scattered around the world – that we may be thankful for what we have been given….

+ For the leaders of your people around the world – that they may faithfully teach us your ways….

+ For people who worry — that your peace may guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus….

+ For the poor, the weak, and the lonely – that they may not be forgotten by your people…..

+ For those who suffer because of war and violence – that your people may lead the way to peace….

+ For our friends who are sick in body, mind, and spirit – that your presence may bring hope and healing….

+ For those who have died, especially those whose lives ended in violence at Las Vegas, and all who mourn after them, that eternal peace and comfort may be theirs….

Sovereign God: look on us with kindness and mercy, and deliver us from evil; let your grace fill us according to our needs, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Cornerstone” – Hillsong Live


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Blessing – Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

17th Sunday after Pentecost: 01 Oct – Matthew 21: 28-32 ~ beyond lip service

17th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Merciful God, you alone judge rightly and search the depths of the heart. Make us swift to do your will and slow to judge our neighbor, that we may walk with those who follow the way of repentance and faith and so enter your heavenly kingdom. Grant 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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“Boldly I Approach” – Rend Collective


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Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 (NLT)

Parable of the Two Sons

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.
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Intercessory Prayer

The Lord’s mercy never ends, let us approach his throne of grace with confidence –

+ For our church leaders — that they may practice what they preach…. Lord, hear us.
+ For ourselves — that our faith in Christ may be more than lip service…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those suffering because of natural and human disasters — that your people may provide the help they need…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those living on the margins of society — that your people may provide help when they need it…. Lord, hear us.
+ For respect for life at all its stages — that women and children may be protected from every danger…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who endure sickness, in mind or body — that they may receive your healing mercy…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have suffered death – that they may be raised to life through Jesus’ resurrection…. Lord, hear us.

O God of endless goodness, your love and mercy have no end: hear our prayers we offer in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“To You O Lord I lift up my soul” – (Psalm 25) Graham Kendrick


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 109:30-31 (NLT)

I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone. For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!