Morning Prayer: Mon, 02 Jan – 1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1-4; John 1:19-28 ~ live what you learned

Monday of the Second Week of Christmas

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

Show us, Lord, the light of your mercy.
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Reading: 1 John 2:22-28 (NLT)

And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.
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Reading: Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
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Reading: John 1:19-28 (NLT)

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”

“No.”

“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, the source of Life and Light, Savior of the world – have mercy on us.

+ Christ, Sun of Justice, you revealed your glory among us; teach us to live with God as children of the Light.
+ Simeon and Anna proclaimed you as the Savior; grant that the Jewish people may accept your message so long foretold.
+ At your birth the angels proclaimed glory in heaven and peace on earth; fill our world with the spirit of your peace.
+ You became the second Adam, renewing all our human ways; bring hope to those who live under the oppression of sin.

God our Father, grant that, learning your truth with humility, we may live it in faith and love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Living for Jesus” – Cedar College of Education Choir at KwaSizabantu Mission in South Africa.

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Blessing

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. – 1 John 2:28

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

New Year’s Day; Sun 01 Jan: Num 6:22-27; Psa 67:2-3, 5-7; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 ~ His name is Jesus

New Year’s Day (The Octave Day of Christmas)

Happy New Year! On this first day of the Year of Our Lord 2017, we seek God’s blessing and remember blessed Mary, who thought about all that she saw and heard concerning her newborn son, named Jesus – “God saves.”

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

Opening Prayer:

Most high God, you come near to us this Christmas season in the child born of the Virgin Mary. In the depths of darkness, she gave birth to light; in the depths of silence, she brought forth the Word. Grant that we who ponder these things in our hearts may recognize in her child our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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“How Great is Our God” – 3 million sing in Hebrew, Polish & English! (Krakow, Poland)

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Numbers 6:22-27 (NLT)
[The ‘Blessing of Aaron’ expresses God’s care for humanity: a suitable New Year blessing for all believers….]

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:

‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’

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A Reading from the Psalms: Psa 67:2-3, 5-7 (NLT)

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.
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May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.
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“O God, Let All the Nations Praise Your Name (Psalm 67)” – Bill Monaghan

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A Reading from the Letters: Galatians 4:4-7 (NLT)
[Because of the birth of Mary’s child, we can all be called children of God….]

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:16-21 (NLT)
[On the eighth day Mary’s child was circumcised and given the name Jesus.]

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
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“His Name” – Urban Rescue

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Intercessory Prayer:

God graciously blesses all of humanity, so we can approach him with our needs with confidence:

+ That those who follow Christ around the world may remain faithful throughout this New Year…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who claim to worship God – in churches, synagogues and mosques – may grow in mutual respect and tolerance…. Lord, hear us.
+ That peace may soon come in all the warn-torn regions of our world…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may continue to work for peace with justice for all…. Lord, hear us.
+ That mothers may learn to treasure every moment of their children’s lives…. Lord, hear us.
+ That this New Year may bring fresh enthusiasm and strong growth to God’s people around the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have died in Christ over this past year may live with you forever in the splendor of your eternal light…. Lord, hear us.

Gracious God, you bless your people with peace and justice: accept our prayers and give us your help to live faithfully in the year ahead as your children, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“King of Glory” – Third Day

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Benediction:

‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’ – Numbers 6:24-27
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: Sat, 31 Dec – 1 John 2:18-21; Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13; John 1:1-18 ~ Jesus has revealed God to us.

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.
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Reading: 1 John 2:18-21 (NLT)

Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.
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Reading: Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
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Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
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Reading: John 1:1-18 (NLT)

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
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Prayer:

With humble confidence we turn to Christ the Lord, whose grace has been revealed for the salvation of all mankind. Lord, have mercy on us.

+ Christ, radiance of God’s glory, sustaining the universe with your all-powerful word, give us life today through the power of your gospel.

+ Christ, Liberator of the whole human race, give all mankind the freedom needed to do your will.

+ Christ, eternal Son of the Father, yet born for us in the stable at Bethlehem, help your Church to be ever detached from the unnecessary things of this world.

+ Christ, Son of David, fulfillment of the prophecies, may the Jewish people accept you as their awaited Deliverer.

All-powerful, ever-living God, we thank you for the human birth of your Son, which is the source and perfection of our Christian life and worship. Number us among his people, for the salvation of all mankind is found only in him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“JESUS LIGHT OF THE WORLD” – Third Day

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Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Fri, 30 Dec – Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 128:1-5; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 ~ clothe yourselves with love

The Holy Family

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
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Reading: Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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Reading: Psalm 128:1-5 (NLT)

How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.

May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
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Reading: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (NLT)

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Rest on the Flight into Egypt Luc Olivier Merson, 1879 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston — Rest on the Flight into Egypt
Luc Olivier Merson, 1879
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
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When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who became son in a human family: bless our families.

+ Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, you lived under the authority of Mary and Joseph; teach us to walk the path of humility.
+ Mary kept in her heart all that you said and did; teach us the spirit of contemplation.
+ Christ, yours was the strength that shaped the universe, yet you came to learn the tasks of a carpenter; teach us to see our work as a sharing in yours.
+ You advanced in wisdom and in favor with God and men; teach us to live to the full in you and to build up your body in faith and love.

God our Father, in the Holy Family of Nazareth you have given us the true model of a Christian home. Grant that by following Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their love for each other and in the example of their family life, we may come to your home of peace and joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Out of Egypt” – House of Israel

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Blessing

You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…. Above all, clothe yourselves with love,

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 29 Dec – 1 John 2:3-11; Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6; Luke 2:22-35 ~ a light to reveal God

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.
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Reading: 1 John 2:3-11 (NLT)

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

The Kranji State Cemetery National Cemetary of Singapore — “For the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining”
The Kranji State Cemetery
National Cemetary of Singapore

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.
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Reading: Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
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The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
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Reading: Luke 2:22-35 (NLT)

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
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Prayer:

In his loving kindness, God sent us Christ, the Prince of Peace. Let us therefore trustfully declare: Peace to men of good will!

+ Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, accept our praise this Christmastide, as we celebrate your saving love.
+ You promised a Savior to Abraham and his sons: this Christmas we welcome his coming into our midst.
+ May the Messiah bring salvation to the Jews, who waited for him in faith and in hope.
+ The birth of your Son was proclaimed by angels, preached by apostles, witnessed to by martyrs, celebrated in the Church: may the message of peace ring out again in our world today.

Father, all-powerful and unseen God, you dispelled the shadows of this world when Christ, the true Light, dawned upon us. Look favorably upon us, Lord, and we will praise and glorify his birth as man. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Chanukah, Oh Chanukah” – Theodore Bikel

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Blessing

Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!

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

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