Morning Prayer: Tue, 29 Nov – Psalm 72; Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24 ~ God’s righteousness revealed

Tuesday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 (NLT)

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
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May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
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He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
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May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.
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Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 (NLT)

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot — yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

Jesus & animals PEACE by William Strutt, late 1800's — Jesus & animals PEACE
by William Strutt, late 1800’s

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.

Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
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Reading: Luke 10:21-24 (NLT)

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “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 when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. I tell you, many prophets and kings 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.”
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Prayer:

Sovereign God: Your people long for a fair and righteous judge; come Lord Jesus.

+ that the godly may flourish and prosper
+ that the poor may be treated fairly
+ that the oppressed and unprotected may be defended
+ that the weak and needy may be rescued

Son of David: You are the banner of salvation for the whole world; grant us Your peace.

+ that wisdom, understanding and fear of the Lord may prevail
+ that truth may be revealed and the wicked destroyed
+ that enmity within creation may be replaced by peace
+ that all nations may flourish under Your rule

Lord Jesus: Thank You for revealing the heart and mind of the Father to us.

+ Draw us ever closer to You that we may become more like You
+ Give us Your humility that we might freely let go of our rights and privileges
+ Renew our minds that we might approach You with the openness of a child
+ Give us eyes to see and ears to hear You during this advent season

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
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“This Kingdom” – David Evans

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

1st Sunday of Advent, 27 Nov: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122: 1-9; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44 ~ live watchful, decent lives

First Sunday of Advent

The season of Advent begins today. During the next 27 days we will look forward in hope. We will watch for the end times, when Christ will come in glory, Christ whose birthday we will celebrate very soon.

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

Opening Prayer:

God of majesty and power, amid the clamour of our violence Your Word of truth resounds; upon a world made dark by sin the Sun of Justice casts His dawning rays.

Keep Your household watchful and aware of the hour in which we live. Hasten the advent of that day when the sounds of war will be for ever stilled, the darkness of evil scattered, and all Your children gathered into one.

We ask this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Come, Now is the Time to Worship” – Hillsong

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5 (NLT)
[Isaiah gives a prophecy of a time of peace when all people will worship the one God.]

This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all—the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.

People from many nations will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”

For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.

The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 122 (NLT)

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord, as the law requires of Israel. Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David.

Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.

O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
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“Psalm 122”

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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)
[Paul advises the Romans to live decent lives.]

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 23:35-43 (NLT)
[We’re told to stay alert, because we don’t know when the Master is coming.]

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
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“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” – Fernando Ortega

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Intercessory Prayer:

God of Mercy and Grace: You alone hold our chaotic world together through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Hasten His return to us in glory; and, as we wait expectantly, listen to the cries of Your people around the world:

+ That Christians around the world who are undergoing unimaginable persecution may be delivered from evil…. Lord, hear us.
+ That world-wide human trafficking and the resulting debasement of people made in Your image may be eliminated…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the people of Aleppo and Syria, and throughout the Middle East, may have peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the poor and unprotected people of the world may receive justice, both now and in the age to come…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians everywhere may be prepared to meet Christ when He comes…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people who are anxious at this time of year may find peace in the indefatigable love of the Prince of Peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who are sick in mind or body may be healed…. Lord, hear us.
+ That our friends and family members who have died in Christ may fully experience Your promised eternal rest… may be theirs. Lord, hear us.

Loving God, You want what is best for Your people, hear our prayers and help us in our needs through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“The King is Coming” – Newsboys

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Benediction:

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God. – Philippians 1:9-11
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Christ the King Sunday, 20 Nov: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Psalm 122:1-5; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43 ~ the victory of love

Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

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

Today we worship Christ the King – wounded and resurrected – who promises us a place in Paradise.

Opening Prayer:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, You gave us Your Son, the beloved One who was rejected, the Savior who appeared defeated. Yet the mystery of His kingship illumines our lives. Show us in His death the victory that crowns the ages, and in His broken body the love that unites heaven and earth. 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, Christians, Join to Sing” – the London Philharmonic Orchestra

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A Reading from the Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 (NLT)
[The choosing of David as King of Israel in ancient times.]

Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”

So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 122:1-5 (NLT)

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” –

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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 1:12-20 (NLT)
[Jesus is given all the titles a king would have.]

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see — such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.

He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 23:35-43 (NLT)
[On the cross, Jesus promises heaven to the good thief.]

The Good Thief on the Cross Jacopo Bassano (late 1500’s) — The Good Thief on the Cross
Jacopo Bassano (late 1500’s)

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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“Jesus: Remember me” – Taize

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Intercessory Prayer:

Sovereign God: In Jesus Christ, You have won for us the victory of love. Hear us now as we seek Your help to live and love as Your Kingdom people.

+ For church leaders everywhere, that they may be true servants after the example of Christ our King…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Jewish people, gathered in Jerusalem and scattered abroad, that they may continue to grow in the love of Your name…. Lord, hear us.
+ For world leaders, that they may set aside their own self-interest and work for the good of all…. Lord, hear us.
+ For migrants and refugees of good will, that they may find compassion and peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who serve our communities, that they may not give in to discouragement…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who suffer in mind or body, that the King of Calvary may be their strength…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they, with the good thief, may find a place in Paradise already prepared for them…. Lord, hear us.

Lord God, King of the universe, You are the source of Your people’s joy! Hear our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Ride On, King Jesus” – Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir

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Benediction:

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:17
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

33rd Ordinary Sunday, 13 November: Malachi 4:1-3; Psalm 98:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19 ~ stand firm and sing

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

The people of God will have nothing to fear at the Day of Judgement.

Opening Prayer:

Lord God of all the ages, the One who is, who was, and who is to come, stir up within us a longing for your kingdom, steady our hearts in time of trial, and grant us patient endurance until the sun of justice dawns. 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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“Only King Forever” – Elevation Worship

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Malachi 4:1-3 (NLT)
[Those who uphold God’s name need have nothing to fear when the world ends.]

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

“Unto You That Fear My Name Shall the Sun of Righteousness Arise with Healing in His Wings”
Thomas Moran (1837-1926)

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:5-9 (NLT)

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.
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“Psalm 98 (Sing Unto the Lord)” – Shane & Shane

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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 (NLT)
[A condemnation of laziness.]

For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 21:5-19 (NLT)
[St Luke writes about the end of the world and the second coming of Christ, with words of reassurance for disciples of the Lord.]

Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

The Triumph Of Christianity Over Paganism Gustave Doré (c 1868) Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario. — The Triumph Of Christianity Over Paganism
Gustave Doré (c 1868)
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario.

He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.
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“The King Is Coming” – Newsboys

Make a way for | Make a way for | Make a way for the King | The King is coming

Open up the doors | Open up the doors | Lift your eyes to see | Our King is coming
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Intercessory Prayer:

Sovereign God, You rule heaven and earth with truth and grace. And one day, Jesus will come again as the righteous judge of the living and the dead. Hear our prayers as we await that glorious day.

+ For people who live in fear, that they may be filled with Your perfect love and do what’s right…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who feel hopeless, that You may open new ways for them to experience Your mercy and grace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For a peaceful transition within our government, after the presidential election, that we may come together “as one nation under God”…. Lord, hear us.
+ For perpetrators of violence and chaos in our streets, that You may restrain them and deliver us from evil…. Lord, hear us.
+ For victims of crime and violence, that they may see Your justice done on earth as in heaven…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our loved ones who have died in Christ, that they may be raised to life on the last day…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, You rule the world with justice: help us in all our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Days of Elijah” Robin Mark

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Benediction:

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

32nd Ordinary Sunday, 06 November: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38 ~ lead me home

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

We worship God who sustains us in this life and promises us resurrection in the life to come.

Opening Prayer:

God of all the living, in the resurrection of Christ Jesus you have given us the life which even death cannot destroy. Remember your unshakeable promise and strengthen us to live in this world as your new creation. 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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“How Great Thou Art ( 1957 )” – George Beverly Shea

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A Reading from the Apocrypha: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 (NRSVCE)
[The story of a woman and her sons whose faith in the resurrection gave them the strength to endure martyrdom.]

20 Christian Women Who Died as Martyrs [click on picture for more information] — 20 Christian Women Who Died as Martyrs
[click on picture for more information]

It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and thongs, to partake of unlawful swine’s flesh. One of them, acting as their spokesman, said, “What do you intend to ask and learn from us? For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.”
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And when he was at his last breath, he said, “You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws.”

After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands, and said nobly, “I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again.” As a result the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man’s spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way. When he was near death, he said, “One cannot but choose to die at the hands of mortals and to cherish the hope God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 (NLT)
[The Lord hears our prayers, and when we die brings us to the sight of glory.]

Prince Harry happily takes the time to speak to some of the children individually and bends down to hear them.

O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.
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My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
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Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
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Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.
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“Apple of Your eye (Psalm 17)” – Sons of Korah

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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 (NLT)
[Paul writes to the Christians of Thessolonika to reassure and encourage them.]

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
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Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 20:27 (NLT)
[Jesus’ answer to people who doubted the resurrection of the dead.]

Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees — religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”

Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”
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“Take My Hand, Precious Lord” – Joey + Rory

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Intercessory Prayer:

O God: bend down and listen as we pray; pay heed to our cries:

+ For peace in our world, especially in Syria and the Middle East — that innocent people may be defended from war and violence…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who are kind to refugees and the destitute — that You may reward their goodness….. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians persecuted for believing — that You may fill them with courage…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who doubt that life continues after death — that they may hear the Good News…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who mourn their loved ones — that You may comfort them and raise those who have died in Christ to their eternal rest…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the upcoming US presidential election – that Your will may done, on earth as it is in heaven…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, You watch over and protect Your people: turn your ear to us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Great Is Thy Faithfullness” – Israel Houghton

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Benediction:

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

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