Tag: Worship

Tuesday Morning, 15 Oct 2019 – Matthew 22:1-22 ~ Come to the banquet!

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 22:1-22 (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.”

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.”

His reply amazed them, and they went away.
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Morning Reflection:

Come to the banquet!

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
– Matthew 21:14 –

Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a great wedding feast for a king’s son. All the preparations have been made and invitations have been sent out to his subjects but the message is treated with contempt, and in some cases the messengers are even killed. But the banquet is ready, the time is come; so the king fills his banquet hall with anyone the servants can find, good and bad alike. And what happened to those who rejected the invitation? They were destroyed. Jesus ends his illustration: “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

What are we to make of this story living in and around unbelievers, in fact living in entire societies that have heard the call but have rejected Jesus?

Teaching point: Not all whom God has invited to the kingdom will participate in it. Only those who respond to God’s call and prepare themselves by trusting in Jesus will enjoy the feast.

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you think of a person who has heard the Good News, but is unrepentant – who has rejected Jesus? Please explain.
  • Reread the illustration of the Great Feast. How many chances did the king give his invited guest to respond?
  • What were some of the reasons they gave for rejecting the king’s invitation? Please explain.
  • How do these excuses relate to people who reject Jesus today? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For the Unrepentant –

Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe, [especially…]. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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“Come To The Table” – Sidewalk Prophets

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

Monday Morning, 14 Oct 2019 – Matthew 21:28-46 ~ Christ the Cornerstone.

Monday Morning

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

Opening –  A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Morning Reading – Matthew 21:28-46 (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.

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. Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.
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Morning Reflection:

Christ the Cornerstone

‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’
– Psalm 118:22-23 –

I don’t think I’ve ever thought of Jesus as a dangerous person. But in today’s allusion to the “cornerstone” (foundation of a building), or “capstone” (top of a building), rejection of Jesus has serious consequences – they stumble over him and are broken, or are crushed when he falls on them.

As in the illustrative stories Jesus told –

  • listeners still have time to repent and believe – they may have said “No” to Jesus earlier, but it’s not too late to change their minds.
  • societal status is of no benefit in his Kingdom – outcasts who repent and believe are welcome, while the in crowd who reject Jesus are banned.

In both cases the issue is our willingness to submit to Jesus’ authority – over all things,especially over our daily lives as Kingdom people.

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of Jesus’ authority over your life, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • How is Jesus’ authority a comfort / a challenge to you? Please explain.
  • When you think of people who have rejected Jesus’ authority, who comes to mind? Please explain.
  • If rejection of Jesus leaves one broken or crushed, how then should we pray – for ourselves / for others? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Christ to be the Cornerstone of our lives –

Lord Jesus, we want you to be  the Cornerstone of our lives, now and always.
+ We have professed our faith in you, and we want to make you first in our lives.
+ Strengthen us by the power of your Word and Spirit to live lives that honor and bless you.
+ We welcome your presence into every aspect of our lives- our thoughts, our decisions, our actions.
+ Thank you for seeking and saving us; we love you because you first loved us. It’s all too wonderful.
Lord Jesus, we pray that we would become living stones that glorify your name. Amen.

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“Cornerstone “ – Hillsong Worship

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

18th Sunday after Pentecost, 13 Oct 2019, Luke 17:11-19 ~ give glory to God!

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

O God, our life, our health, our salvation – look with mercy on your people. Stir up in us a saving faith, that believing, we may be healed, and being healed, we may worthily give you thanks. 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.

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” – Nathan and Christy Nockels

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Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

Ten Healed of Leprosy

Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
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“Goodness Of God” – Bethel Music

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Intercession:

Faithful God: Your goodness exceeds all our expectations. Hear our prayers on behalf of those who need your mercy and help. We pray especially –

+ For an end to the war in Syria, that you would move hearts to bring an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East… Lord, hear us.

+ For Christians caught in the crossfire, that you would protect them and restore their families and communities… Lord, hear us.

+ For missionaries working in every country, that you would enable them to bear the hardships which come with that task… Lord, hear us.

+ For all those seeking the truth, that every believer would be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us… Lord, hear us.

+ For rich and poor alike who suffer sickness and disease around the world, that they would be able to receive appropriate medical help and healing… Lord, hear us.

+ For all those who suffer isolation, as the lepers once did, that nothing may deprive them of the support of Christians… Lord, hear us.

Faithful God: Your goodness exceeds all our expectations. Thank you for the assurance of eternal life that we have through faith in Jesus Christ; if we die with him, we will also live with him. Work your wonders and attend to the needs of your people; and bring your Salvation to the ends of the earth through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Press On – Selah

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Closing: Ephesians 3:20-21 ((NLT)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 12 Oct 2019 – Matthew 21:12-27 ~ Are you a House of Prayer?

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading: Matthew 21:12-27 (NLT)

Jesus Clears the Temple

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”

But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.

The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.
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Morning Reflection:

Are you a House of Prayer?

‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
…The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.
– Matthew 21:13-14 –

Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem was specific to the circumstances that he found there at the time. The religious leaders had allowed the Temple of the Most High God to become a “den of thieves.” They had desecrated holy space that had been consecrated for worship and prayer, by turning it into a market place. But once cleansed, the Temple once again became a place of hope and healing under the authority of Jesus.

Sometimes believers forget who we are, or rather whose we are – we belong to God and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit through which we must honor God. (1 Cor 6:18-20) And we too, cleansed and forgiven, can become instruments of God’s hope and healing under the authority of Jesus.

Questions for consideration:

  • Step back for a moment and try to view yourself as Jesus might view you – body, mind and spirit. Would you be considered a temple of the Holy Spirit? Why/why not? Please explain.
  • If there is some cleansing/forgiving to do in your life that would make you more serviceable to God? What would it be? Please explain.
  • What would it take for you to become an instrument of God’s hope and healing under the authority of Jesus? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For the Spirit of Prayer –

O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“House of Prayer” – Eddie James

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

Friday Morning, 11 Oct 2019 – Matthew 20:29-21:11 ~ “Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 20:29-21:11 (NLT)

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

“Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.

But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.

Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”

The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
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Morning Reflection:

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!””
– Matthew 21:9 –

The praises of the crowd on Palm Sunday are woven into the Eucharistic Liturgy as The Sanctus, whether sung or spoken –

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord”

And just as Jesus had compassion on the two blind men shouting at him, so too, I suspect, he had compassion on the crowds in Jerusalem, and, in turn, on us who are seeking “eyes to see” and “ears to hear,” and an open heart to receive King Jesus. But what happens when Jesus doesn’t fulfill our expectations of Kingship –

  • riding on a donkey’s colt instead of a war horse,
  • suffering torture and death at the hands of the governing authorities,
  • rising from the dead (wonder of wonders)
  • ascending into heaven (gone from sight)

It’s easy to fault the crowd for their obtuseness and obstinacy, but are we so different even though we know how the story ends? To welcome Jesus into our hearts, whether for the first time, or weekly through the Eucharistic Liturgy, requires that we take Him as He is, not as we would like Him to be.

Questions for consideration

  • How have your expectations regarding Jesus changed over time? Please explain.
  • How have you been disappointed; how have you been happily surprised by Jesus? Please explain.
  • What would it mean for you to allow Jesus to completely rule and reign in your heart? Please explain.
  • What would change? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: – For the Coming of God’s Kingdom

Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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“King Of My Heart” -John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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