Morning Prayer: Tue, 10 Jan – Psalm 103:8-14; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 15:17-24 ~ loving and forgiving

Tuesday of First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
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Reading: Psalm 103:8-14 (NLT)

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
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Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)

The Lord gave me this message:

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!

Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
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Reading: Luke 15:17-24 (NLT)

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
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Prayer:

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

+ Lord: You are compassionate and merciful; You do not punish me as I deserve
+ Lord: Your unfailing love and forgiveness is limitless for those who fear and honor You

Sovereign Lord: put Your words in my mouth; stay with me and protect me.
+ Show me when to uproot and tear down – false gods and ideologies
+ Show me when to build up and plant – righteousness and justice

Merciful Father: Make me painfully aware of my sins against You and those You love.
+ Remind me that I am the prodigal son and the older brother all rolled into one
+ Humble me before Your throne of grace and strip away any illusions of worthiness

Mighty God: You know how weak I am, and You have numbered my days. Extend Your saving love towards me and my children’s children. May we remain faithful to Your covenant and obedient to Your word. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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“Loving and Forgiving” – Scott Soper

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Blessing

On the path that is before you, may you have companions on the journey, may you find Christ in the stranger, and may you know the love and blessing of God.

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

Morning Prayer: Mon, 09 Jan – Psalm 126:5-6; Hosea 10:12; John 12:24-26 ~ sow righteousness / reap love

Monday of First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
__________

Reading: Psalm 126:5-6 (NLT)

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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Reading: Hosea 10:12 (NLT)

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
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Reading: John 12:24-26 (NLT)

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
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Prayer:

Faithful God: Restore our fortunes as streams renew the desert.

+ Replace our tears with songs of joy
+ Sow in our hearts the seeds of righteousness
+ Break up any hardness within us
+ Reap in us a harvest of love

Lord Jesus: Empower us, by your Spirit, to die to our self-service – that we may live to serve you. Amen.
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“Lose Your Life to Find It” – YWAM Lausanne

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Blessing

On the path that is before you, may you have companions on the journey, may you find Christ in the stranger, and may you know the love and blessing of God.

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

The Epiphany of the Lord – Sun 08 Jan: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 ~ Savior of all nations

The Epiphany of the Lord

On Epiphany Sunday, we celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Savior of all nations, including ours. We worship God who wants all people to be saved.

+ 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 splendour. The radiance of your incarnate Word pierces the darkness that covers the earth and signals the dawn of peace and justice.

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.
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“Arise, Shine (Kumi Ori)”

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 (NLT)
[Isaiah refers to foreign people coming to worship the God of Israel, just as the wise men did.]

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

“Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense and will come worshiping the Lord.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 (NLT)

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
_____

May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
_____

The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts. All kings will bow before him, and all nations will serve him. He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
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“Psalm 72” – Big Tent Revival

My Lord will soon be coming down | Like the rain on new mown grass | Showers fallin’ on the thirsty land

The righteous man will flourish in those days | And for as long as the moon runs ’round | Peace will abound

I sing praises, I sing praises | Praises to my Savior | Praises to my Lord

All those who dwell in wilderness | Will bow down licking dust | And kings will follow, bringing gifts to my Lord

With one cry, He’ll deliver those in need | All the meek | And those who have oppressors in the world

I sing praises, I sing praises | Praises to my Savior | Praises to my Lord

And blessed be the Power | Blessed be the Glory | And blessed be the Name

I sing praises, I sing praises | Praises to my Savior | Praises to my Lord | Jesus

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 (NLT)
[Paul talks about the meaning of the feast: in Jesus, salvation is made available to Jews and pagans alike.]

You know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.
_____

God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
[The events celebrated on the Epiphany are described in the Gospel.]

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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” We Three Kings” – Hillsong

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Intercessory Prayer:

God of the nations: you save all people when they cry out for help. Lord, hear us.

+ For the people of all nations — that they may believe the Good News of salvation. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters – that through your faithfulness, they too may enter the Kingdom…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians in every nations – that together we may meet the challenges facing humanity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people of all faiths and of none – that in this New Year they may grow in mutual respect and tolerance…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those in our midst who are sick or in sorrow – that your healing presence may bring them peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all Christians suffering persecution and violence – that they may be protected and delivered from evil…. Lord hear us.
+ For our friends and family members who have died – that eternal life with you may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.

O God, you rule the earth with justice: help us according to our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
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“Christmas Hallelujah” – Abigail Schmidt

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Benediction:

Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: Sat, 07 Jan – 1 John 3:22-4:6; Psalm 2:7-8,10-11; Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 ~ truth or deception?

Saturday of the Second Week of Christmas

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.
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Reading:1 John 3:22-4:6 (NLT)

And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.
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Reading: Psalm 2:7-8,10-11 (NLT)

The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession….'”
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Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.
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Reading: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 (NLT)

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
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Prayer:

Glory to you, Christ the Lord! Through you God’s salvation reaches to the boundaries of the earth.

+ Christ, our Redeemer, you have drawn all men to yourself; break down the walls of prejudice that separate man from man.
+ Word, made flesh, you came to live among us: help us to recognize your presence in the Church and in the lives of the people around us.
+ Jesus, God’s righteousness revealed: conform our faith and our works to your teaching.
+ Immanuel, God with us, renew our lives completely; make us a people you can call your own.

Lord God, may the radiance of your glory light up our hearts and bring us through the shadows of this world until we reach our homeland of everlasting light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Light of the World” – Eden’s Bridge

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Blessing

You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory… because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

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

Morning Prayer: Fri, 06 Jan – 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20; Mark 1:7-11 ~ it’s all about Jesus, the Son of God

Friday of the Second Week of Christmas

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

Opening Sentence

O come, let us adore him!

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
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Reading: 1 John 5:5-13 (NLT)

And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. So we have these three witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree. Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
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Reading: Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20 (NLT)

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!
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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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Reading: Mark 1:7-11 (NLT)

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
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Prayer:

Christ our Redeemer: you humbled yourself to receive baptism at the hands of John, have mercy on us.

+ Lord, you taught us how to live; open our eyes to the light which is ever ready to enlighten us.
+ Lord, you humbled yourself to receive baptism from your servant: help us to give ourselves for others.
+ Lord, your baptism has made us children of the Father: grant the Spirit of adoption to all who seek you.
+ Lord, with baptism you have opened the door of repentance: make us living ministers of your gospel of new life.
+ Lord, your baptism has revealed to us the persons of the Trinity: renew your Spirit in all baptized believers.

Almighty, ever-living God, when Christ was baptized in the river Jordan the Holy Spirit came upon him and your voice proclaimed from heaven, ‘This is my beloved Son.’ Grant that we, who by water and the Holy Spirit are your adopted children, may continue steadfast in your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“It’s All About You Jesus” – Passion

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Blessing

This is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

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

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