Tag: Worship

Tuesday Morning: 08 Jan 2019 – John 1:19-34 ~ “Who are you?”

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 1:19-34 (NLT)

The Testimony of John the Baptist

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.

Jesus, the Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
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Morning Reflection:

We need to be clear on who we are in God’s kingdom
so that we can effectively point others to Jesus for salvation.
Steven J. Cole

Some thoughts for consideration:

People were flocking to John the Baptizer from near and far and responding positively to his message of repentance and baptism. That’s why the religious authorities challenged him – “Who are you?”

John responded to their questioning by saying who he was not – the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet. And then clarified who he was – a messenger who was preparing people to believe and receive the Messiah – Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

And so the same question is addressed to me and you today – “Who are you?”

+ I am not God; I can’t forgive sins; and I can’t save anyone.
+ I am a believer in Jesus; I am a baptized repentant sinner; I am a reborn child of God; and I am at my very best when I point others to Jesus – the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world – in other words, when I help people connect with Jesus.

Question: Who are you? Where do you fit into this story? Are you a skeptic, a penitent, a believer, or a messenger? Or, something else? How is God speaking to you today?

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You have sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world in order to save the world. Help me to find my place in your plan of Salvation. Take me as I am, and make me what you want me to be. Use me, however you will, to connect others with Jesus – the Lamb of God who takes away my sins, and the sin of the entire world. In his name, and for your glory, I ask it. Amen.
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“Behold the Lamb” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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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: 07 Jan 2019 – John 1:1-18 ~ In the beginning was the Word…..

Monday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 1:1-8 (NLT)

Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word

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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Morning Reflection:

John’s Prologue is a perfect introduction to our 2019 reading through the New Testament. Why? Because it expands our understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to believe him and accept him. Here are some thoughts to ponder –

Creation – Jesus, the Word of God, has origins that go back to the beginning of time itself. He was not only with God in the beginning, but was God. And, apart from him, “not one thing came into being” (vs 3).

Revelation – Jesus, the Word of God, is the source of revelation and grace for all people everywhere: he is “the true light which enlightens everyone” (vs 9). Reflecting God’s glory, he is “full of grace and truth” (vs 14, 18).

Rejection – Jesus, the Word of God, was tragically rejected by his own world and the people he created. “The world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him” (vs 11).

Incarnation – Jesus, the Word of God, became a human being and lived among and within humanity: “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (vs 14). The barrier between the divine and human realms were breached to a degree never before realized.

Blessing – Jesus, the Word of God, is the conduit of God’s mercy and truth that now flow in measures never possible before: “from his fullness, we receive grace upon grace” (vs 16).

Question: Do I believe Jesus and accept him as the Gospel of John presents him – the eternal Word of God? How is God speaking to you today?

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. (vs 12-13)

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the wonder and mystery of Christmas – the child Jesus born in a manger is the Divine Word that spoke all of creation into being. Reveal to me your grace and truth, your unfailing love and faithfulness, throughout the coming year. And show me how to live as a reborn child of God, through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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“Christ Be All Around Me” – All Sons & Daughters


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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

Epiphany Sunday – 06 Jan 2019 – Matthew 2:1-12 ~ wise men worship Him

Epiphany Sunday

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God of the nations, we have seen the star of your glory rising in splendor. The radiance of your incarnate Word pierces the darkness that covers the earth and signals the dawn of peace and goodwill. Make radiant the lives of your people with that same brightness, and beckon all the nations to walk as one in your light. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“We Three Kings of Orient Are” – Angel City Chorale

We Three Kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, Moor and mountain, Following yonder Star.

O Star of Wonder, Star of Night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading, Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.

Born a King on Bethlehem plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King for ever, Ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
Hallelujah the earth replies.
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Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)

Visitors from the East

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Almighty God: We join today with wise men and women throughout the ages who have worshiped King Jesus, born in Bethlehem in a manger. Shine your light in our darkness that we may be filled with hope in every circumstance.

We pray especially –

+ For the people of all tribes and nations, that they may hear and believe the Good News of your saving grace….
+ For believers in the Middle East, suffering persecution, that the light of Christ will lead them to safety….
+ For Orthodox believers, who celebrate Christmas on January 7th, that together we may all draw closer to you  and be one in Christ….
+ For the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters, that through the faithful study of your word, they too may recognize Yeshua Mashiach….
+ For people of all faiths and of none, that in this New Year they too may grow in peace and goodwill….
+ For our friends and relatives who have died in Christ, that may rejoice in the perfect light of your presence….

Almighty God, Ruler of all nations: help us according to our needs, and guide us on our pilgrimage to eternity. We pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” – Six-String Soldiers

Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem | Shining far through shadows dimmed
Giving the light for those who long have gone
Guiding the wise men on their way | Unto the place where Jesus lay
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on

Oh beautiful star (beautiful, beautiful star) of Bethlehem (star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us a lamp to light the way | Unto the land of perfect day
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on

Oh beautiful star the hope, the grace | For the redeemed the good and the blessed
Yonder in glory when the crown is won
Jesus is now the star divine | Brighter and brighter he will shine
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on

Oh beautiful star (beautiful, beautiful star) of Bethlehem (star of Bethlehem)
Shine upon us until the glory dawns
Give us a lamp to light the way | Unto the land of perfect day
Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on
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Blessing –

+ May God who called you from darkness into his marvelous light shower you with his blessings and strengthen you in faith, hope, and love.
+ May God whose only-begotten Son enlightened the world on this day make you also a light to your family, friends, and neighbors.
+ May God who guided the Magi with a star lead you to the perfect light of Christ when your earthly pilgrimage is done.

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

2019 New Testament Reading Plan: Begins in 2 days!

2019 New Testament Reading Plan

On January 7th, we will begin reading through the New Testament – slowly – reading short sections each day for the entire year.

Our purpose is to allow time for us to “ponder” (Luke 2:19) what we are reading, and to consider what God may be saying to each one of us personally.

Definition of ponder

transitive verb

1 : to weigh in the mind : appraise pondered their chances of success
2 : to think about : reflect on pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

Our reading will begin with the Gospel of John and continue with the Book of Romans. Not to worry – we will read every book in the New Testament, although not necessarily in the order they appear in the Bible. Hopefully our reading order will help us better understand how God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ all fits together and applies to us today.

As you read along with us, may this prayer hold true –

Philippians 1:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

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.

The Peanut Gallery

12th Day of Christmas: Sat, 05 Jan – Luke 2:36-40 ~ she talked about the child to everyone

12th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
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Morning Reading: Luke 2:36-40 (NLT) –

The Prophecy of Anna

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
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Morning Prayer

Almighty God: Give us the discernment to apprehend the wonder of Christmas – the miracle of “God with us” embodied in the child, Jesus of Nazareth. Like Anna, we too wait expectantly for our rescue from the forces of darkness and evil. And like Anna, give us the boldness to tell everyone of his immanent return – “God with us” embodied in the King of glory, Jesus the Messiah. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
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“Mary Did You Know” – Kathy Mattea

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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.