Praying the Psalms: Wed, 19 Dec – Psalm 148 ~ Praise the name of the Lord!

Praying the Psalms

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

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 148 (NLT) –

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked. Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, young men and young women, old men and children.

Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones—the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: All creation praises your great name –

+ the boundless heavens in all their variety praise your great name…
+ people on earth join the heavenly host to praise your great name…
+ nature reflects your majestic beauty in praise of your great name…

O Lord our God: All your people praise your great name –

+ for you are the Author and Finisher of our faith…
+ for you are our Fortress, the Rock of our salvation…
+ for you are our Center, all things hold together in you…

O Lord our God: The angels proclaimed the arrival of King Jesus in humility; and the angels will trumpet the return of King Jesus in glory. May our hearts be wide open to him today, that we might live with him forever – all to the glory of your great name. Amen.
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“Psalm 148” (Highly Exalted) – Sixteen Cities

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Tue, 18 Dec – Psalm 147 ~ How good to sing praises to our God!

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 147 (NLT) –

Praise the Lord!

How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars and calls them all by name.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

Sing out your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God with a harp.

He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.
He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry.
He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might.
No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls.
He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.
He sends his orders to the world—how swiftly his word flies!
He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.
He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then, at his command, it all melts.
He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.
He has revealed his words to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations.

Praise the Lord!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You rule and reign over your people and the world of nature; we sing praises to your Name –

+ for you have made the heavens, the earth, and every living creature…
+ for you have bound yourself in love to all that you have made…
+ for you hold everything together through your Son, Jesus Christ…

O Lord our God: You rule with unfailing Love and Truth, with Righteousness and Peace; we sing praises to your Name –

+ for you release the captives and restore their freedom…
+ for you heal the brokenhearted and relieve their suffering…
+ for you bind up the wounded and revive their hope…

O Lord our God: We sing praises to your Name as we prepare to celebrate your saving grace at Christmas, and your righteous judgement in the last days. Fill us with songs of joy and thanksgiving in this season of remembrance, we ask through Jesus Christ, who lives and rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, the same yesterday, today, and for ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 147:1-11” – Scottish Psalter 1650

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Mon, 17 Dec – Psalm 146 ~ Don’t depend on powerful people!

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 146 (NLT) –

Praise the Lord!

Let all that I am praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down.
The Lord loves the godly.
The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations.

Praise the Lord!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Our hope is in you for only you are worthy of our trust.

+ we rejoice in your creation – the heavens, the earth, and all living things…
+ we rejoice in your faithfulness – the fulfillment of your promises…
+ we rejoice in your justice – the protection of strangers, widows, and orphans…
+ we rejoice in your provision – the supply of daily necessities of life…
+ we rejoice in your mercy – the blind see, the dead raised, the captives freed…
+ we rejoice in your Kingdom – the ultimate victory of love guaranteed forever…

O Lord our God: Our hope is in you for only you are worthy of our trust. Prepare our hearts to rejoice in your current Salvation at Christmas and your coming Judgement at the end of time. We ask through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 146” (What Joy) – Sarah Emerson

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Third Sunday of Advent – 16 Dec – Luke 3:7-18 ~ the Good News of repentance

Third Sunday of Advent

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

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, you sent your Son into a world where the wheat must be winnowed from the chaff and evil clings even to what is good. Let the fire of your Spirit purge us of selfishness and hypocrisy, so that, purified, we may find our peace in you and you may delight in us. Grant 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. Amen.
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“Gaudete” – Querela – historická lidová hudba – Prague, Czech Republic

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born
of the Virgin Mary; Rejoice!

The time of grace has come for which we have prayed
Let us devoutly sing songs of joy.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born
of the Virgin Mary; Rejoice!

God is made man, while nature wonders
The world is renewed by Christ the King.

Therefore, let our assembly sing praises now at this time of purification
Let it bless the Lord: greetings to our King.
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Gospel Reading: Luke 3:7-18 (NLT)

When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

“What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Mighty God, our strength and our salvation, hear our prayers –

+ For all who follow Christ Jesus – that we may be joyful…
+ For all who are poor and needy – that we may freely share what we have…
+ For all who are brokenhearted – that we may comfort and support them..
+ For all who are sick – that we may visit and pray for them…
+ For all who are alone – that we may love and assist them…
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may experience the joy of eternal life…

God our Savior, we rejoice in your loving-kindness and mighty deeds, help us we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Isaiah 12” (Sing to the Lord) – the Ambassadors

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Blessing – Philippians 4:4-5 (NLT)

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 15 Dec – Psalm 145 ~ Great Is the Lord!

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 145 (NLT) – A psalm of praise of David.

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.

The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: To you belongs the glory due your Name –

+ for you are our Savior, Provider, and Helper…
+ for you are Gracious, Loving, and Kind to us…
+ for you are Righteous, Good, and Merciful to us…
+ for our lives are hidden in the mystery of your Being…

O Lord our God: To you belongs the praise due your Name –

+ for you have delivered us from the many forces of evil…
+ for you have forgiven us through the tender mercy of your Son…
+ for you have secured for us a full, satisfying life both now and forever…
+ for you are our King and our God through faith in your Son…

O Lord our God: We praise your holy Name – for your love is everlasting, and you fill our hearts with joy. Prepare us to celebrate the humble birth of your Son at Christmas, and fill us with hope-filled expectation of his glorious return in the Last Days. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Psalm 145” (Amen) – Jon Buller