+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Give your light, Lord, to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Morning Reading: Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT)
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Prayer
Lord God, source and origin of our salvation, make our lives here on earth so proclaim your glory that we may praise you without ceasing in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Let There Be Light” – The City Harmonic
Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s Gospel challenges us to stand ready for our Master’s return in glory.
Opening Prayer:
O God, on whom our faith rests secure and whose kingdom we await, sustain us by word and sacrament and keep us alert for the coming of the Son of Man, that we may welcome him without delay. 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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“Waiting Here For You” – Christy Nockels
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Wisdom 18:6-9 (NRSVCE)
[These are some of the words used by the Jews to celebrate God’s deliverance of them at Passover.]
Arnold Eagle, “Passover Seder” from ‘Asking the Four Questions’ (1934–35), gelatin silver print
That night was made known beforehand to our ancestors, so that they might rejoice in sure knowledge of the oaths in which they trusted.
The deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of their enemies were expected by your people. For by the same means by which you punished our enemies you called us to yourself and glorified us.
For in secret the holy children of good people offered sacrifices, and with one accord agreed to the divine law, so that the saints would share alike the same things, both blessings and dangers; and already they were singing the praises of the ancestors.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22 (NLT)
Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
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What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
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But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.
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We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
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“Unfailing Love” – Hillsong
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A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12 (NLT)
[The Letter to the Hebrews is more a sermon on who Christ is than a letter. In today’s reading, Abraham and Sarah are held up as examples of faith.]
By faith: “Abraham went without knowing…”
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
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It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 12:32-48 (NLT)
[Stand ready, we are told, for we do not know when Christ will return.]
“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
“Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would 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.”
Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
“And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
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“Boldly I Approach” – Rend Collective
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Intercessory Prayer:
The Lord is our help and our shield, so let us approach his throne of grace with confidence:
+ That Christian preachers around the world may spread God’s Word with a sense of urgency…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christian people may remember that life is short, and always be ready to meet their Master…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those on summer vacation may be preserved from every danger, and return home safely…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the Olympic Games may be conducted peacefully, and draw the world closer together…. Lord, hear us.
+ That your grace may help people who find life hard, especially the poor and helpless…. Lord, hear us.
+ That you may rescue all who have died in Christ, and bring them safely to their eternal home….. Lord, hear us.
Lord our God, your faithful love sustains your people: hear the prayers of all who put their faith in you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Holy” – Wedding Day | The City Harmonic
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Benediction:
He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.
Revelation 22:20-21
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Transfiguration of the Lord
Opening Sentence
Today Jesus Christ was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as snow.
Today Jesus Christ was transfigured and the voice of the Father bore witness to him.
The Law was given by Moses, prophecy by Elijah: they were seen in majesty, shining with the Lord on the mountain.
Morning Reading: Revelation 21:10,23 (NLT)
So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
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And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you are with God the Father and all power is given to you, in heaven and on earth. Help me to work well today: transfigure my heart with your presence – that I may see as you see.
+ Lord: I don’t always feel the joy and power of your presence; when I am weak and tired help me to look forward to the glory that is to come.
+ Lord: Remember all who live in depression and distress; bring to them new vision, and the hope of the gospel.
+ Lord: I praise you and thank you for the greatness of your glory; be with me as I set out to build up your new creation.
Father, at the Transfiguration in glory of your Only-Begotten Son, you confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness to Jesus of the prophets Moses and Elijah. You foreshadowed there what I shall be when you bring my sonship to its perfection. Grant that by listening to the voice of Jesus I may become heirs with him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
“Show Me Your Glory” – Jesus Culture/Kim Walker Smith
Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God’s Word calls us to recognize the transience of life, to keep our eyes on what is lasting.
Opening Prayer:
O God, the giver of every gift that endures, only by your grace can we rightly understand the wonder of life and why it is given. By the word of your Son challenge our foolishness, confront our greed, and shape our lives to the wisdom of the gospel. 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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“God of Our Fathers”
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 (NLT)
[The Preacher tells us that it is easy to fall into the trap of vanity.]
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
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Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17 (NLT)
You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.
You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
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Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
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And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
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“Psalm 90” – James Block
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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 (NLT)
[Leave sin behind, says Paul, and look to Christ. He is a model worth imitating.]
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
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Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 12:13-21 (NLT)
[Jesus’ warning against greed is accompanied by a reminder of what it means to follow him: we must be always prepared.]
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
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“Be Thou My Vision” – Tommy Walker
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Intercessory Prayer:
God of endless generations: help us as we lay out our needs before you today.
+ That church leaders may live the simple life they preach…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the wealthy may share with those who are hungry and poor…. Lord, hear us.
+ That men and women who work too hard may find rest in you this summer…. Lord, hear us.
+ That there may be peace and forgiveness in families…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who suffer, in mind or body or spirit, may have peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all the people on vacations may travel safely…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have died recently, especially Fr. Jacques Hamel (martyred in France), may enter heaven where Christ sits at God’s right hand…. Lord, hear us.
O God, you have been our refuge and our strength, from one generation to the next: hear your people’s prayer today, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Elohim Lanu Machaseh Va’oz – The Lord is Our Refuge & Strength”
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Benediction:
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
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. – Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
Morning Reading: 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NLT)
Samaritan’s Purse Responding to Texas Tornadoes
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Christ Jesus became man to make us sons and daughters of God and he intercedes for us before God our Father. Hear us as we pray, Lord, and open to us the treasures of your love.
+ Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your mercy: make us as willing to offer mercy, as we are to receive mercy.
+ You have washed us clean in the waters of baptism: we consecrate our day to you.
+ Fill us with praise of you today: may we joyfully take your word with us wherever we may go.
+ Teach us to respond willingly to your word: may your word bear good fruit in us.
+ Give us courage when things go wrong: strengthen us with faith in you, with hope in your promises, and with love of your will.
Let the splendor of the Resurrection light up our hearts and minds, Lord, scattering the shadow of death and bringing us to the radiance of eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Mercy” // Brave New World // Amanda Cook
Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 