+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentences
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 126:1-3 (NLT)
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
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Prayer:
God of grace and glory: you have done amazing things for us. We planted in tears and you gave a harvest of joy.
+ We pray for lasting joy – help us to seek your unchanging values in this ever-changing world.
+ We pray for eternal joy – prepare us to celebrate Easter and our assurance of resurrection to eternal life.
+ We pray for promised joy – make believers around the world one in you and in love for one another.
+ We pray for assisted joy – may we reach out with joy to grasp your hand and walk more readily in your ways.
God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Shir Ha Ma’alot – Song of Ascents (Psalm 126)” – New Messianic Songs
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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
Opening Sentence and Prayer:
We come to God, who gives the blind new sight and strengths us to continue on our pilgrim journey to the Father’s house.
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Have compassion on us, God our Savior. Grant us grace and courage to cast off our sins and turn to You for healing. Show us in Christ the sure path of eternal life and strengthen us to follow gladly in the way of the cross. 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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Hymn: “The Joy of the Lord is my strength” – Fiji Military Forces singing in Israel
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-9 (NLT)
[A vision of a time when all God’s people are gathered together, with everyone sharing the gift of new sight.]
Now this is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Israel. Shout for the greatest of nations! Shout out with praise and joy: ‘Save your people, O Lord, the remnant of Israel!’
Jewish immigrant from Iran hugging a relative in Israel. At the airport, ecstatic Israelis hugged family members they hadn’t seen for years.
For I will bring them from the north and from the distant corners of the earth. I will not forget the blind and lame, the expectant mothers and women in labor. A great company will return!
Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my oldest child.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 126:1-6 (NLT)
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
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“Psalm 126” – Sojourn Music
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A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 5:1-6 (NLT)
[Christ is our high priest, but he also knows our weakness.]
Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.
And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
And in another passage God said to him, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)
[The blind beggar Bartimaeus is healed by Jesus.]
Christ Healing the Blind Man Andrey Mironov, 2009 Ryazan, Russia
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
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Hymn: “Heal me O Lord” – Don Moen
Heal me Oh Lord, and I will be healed. Save me and I will be saved. Heal me Oh Lord, and I will be healed. For You are the One I praise; You are the one I praise.
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Intercessions:
The Lord has worked marvels for us, so we can approach Him with confidence.
+ For the church throughout the world – that we may be united in Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the world – that every evil may be defeated, especially trafficking, the modern form of slavery…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who suffer — mentally, physically or spiritually — that they may experience the healing power of Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have problems with their sight – that help and understanding may be given them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the people who sit on our streets, begging – that they may experience kindness and compassion…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the victims of violence and war – especially those in the Middle East – that they may be delivered from evil and their souls restored…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died – especially those martyred for their Christian faith – that they may have eternal rest in You…. Lord, hear us.
O Lord, we rejoice in your marvelous kindness and bring You all our needs: we entrust them to You with faith and confidence, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Trust In You” – Lauren Daigle
Letting go of every single dream / I lay each one down at Your feet / Every moment of my wandering / Never changes what You see / I’ve tried to win this war I confess / My hands are weary I need Your rest / Mighty Warrior, King of the fight / No matter what I face, You’re by my side
When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move / When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through / When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You / I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings / There’s not a day ahead You have not seen / So, in all things be my life and breath / I want what You want Lord and nothing less
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You are my strength and comfort / You are my steady hand / You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand / Your ways are always higher / Your plans are always good / There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood
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I will trust in You! I will trust in You! I will trust in You!
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Benediction:
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 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 