Tag: Worship

After Pentecost | Wednesday 25 Oct 2023: Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 13:1-2, 17-14:9; Matthew 17:22-27 ~ Don’t be afraid, the Lord is with us.

After Pentecost | Wednesday 25 Oct 2023

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

Opening:

Set us free, loving Father,
from the bondage of our sins,
and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty
of that abundant life which you have made known to us
in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

“Do not rebel against the Lord,
and don’t be afraid of the people of the land.
They are only helpless prey to us!
They have no protection, but the Lord is with us!
Don’t be afraid of them!”
(Numbers 14:9)
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From Psalms: “Psalm 63” – Deanne | Hebraic Worship

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OT Reading: Numbers 13:1-2, 17-14:9 (NLT)

Twelve Scouts Explore Canaan

13:1 The Lord now said to Moses, “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.”

13:17 Moses gave the men these instructions as he sent them out to explore the land: “Go north through the Negev into the hill country. See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps? Is the soil fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see.” (It happened to be the season for harvesting the first ripe grapes.)

So they went up and explored the land from the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. Going north, they passed through the Negev and arrived at Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai—all descendants of Anak—lived. (The ancient town of Hebron was founded seven years before the Egyptian city of Zoan.) When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them! They also brought back samples of the pomegranates and figs. That place was called the valley of Eshcol (which means “cluster”), because of the cluster of grapes the Israelite men cut there.

The Scouting Report

13:25 After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.”

But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

The People Rebel

14:1 Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

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DO NOT FEAR | God is in Control – Inspirational & Motivational Video

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NT Reading: Matthew 17:22-27 (NLT)

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

17:22 After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

Payment of the Temple Tax

17:24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.

But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

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God Will Make A Way | Don Moen (Holy Spirit Music)

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver every person captivated by the evil “death cult” terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, as well as those who will restore Israel politically, and especially spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. Amen.  (Thomas à Kempis)

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us,
and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Tuesday 24 Oct 2023: Psalm 63:1-8; Numbers 12:1-9; Revelation 18:21-24 – God’s judgement on evil

After Pentecost | Tuesday 24 Oct 2023

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

Opening:

Set us free, loving Father,
from the bondage of our sins,
and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty
of that abundant life which you have made known to us
in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

Then a mighty angel
picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone.
He threw it into the ocean and shouted,
“Just like this, the great city Babylon
will be thrown down with violence
and will never be found again.”
(Revelation 18:21)
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From Psalms: Psalm 63 – (Poor Bishop Hooper)

god you are my god
you’re the only one i seek god
you are my god
i’m in the desert and i’m thirsty god
you are my god
i know you’re in your sanctuary god
you are my god
i’ve seen your power and you glory god

you’re better than life
my lips will give praise to you
my soul satisfied
with the richest foods therefore
my lips will sing praise

god i think of you
on my bed throughout the night god
i think of you
because you help and i am safe god
i think of you
as i sing under your wings god
i think of you
and feel your hand as you uphold me god

you’re better than life
my lips will give praise to you
my soul satisfied
with the richest foods therefore
my lips will sing praise

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OT Reading: Numbers 12:1-9 (NLT)

The Complaints of Miriam and Aaron

12:1 While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)

So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say:

“If there were prophets among you,
I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions.
I would speak to them in dreams.
But not with my servant Moses.
Of all my house, he is the one I trust.
I speak to him face to face,
clearly, and not in riddles!
He sees the Lord as he is.
So why were you not afraid
to criticize my servant Moses?”

The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed.

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We Will Fear The Lord – Ben Slee Music

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NT Reading: Revelation 18:21-24 (NLT)

18:21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted,

“Just like this, the great city Babylon
will be thrown down with violence
and will never be found again.
The sound of harps, singers, flutes, and trumpets
will never be heard in you again.
No craftsmen and no trades
will ever be found in you again.
The sound of the mill
will never be heard in you again.
The light of a lamp
will never shine in you again.
The happy voices of brides and grooms
will never be heard in you again.
For your merchants were the greatest in the world,
and you deceived the nations with your sorceries.
In your streets flowed the blood of the prophets and of God’s holy people
and the blood of people slaughtered all over the world.”

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The Earth Shakes – Don Moen | Songs of Faith

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy; let your fatherly goodness be upon all believers in the Holy Land. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [See “Contrasting Darkness and Light” below]

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver every person captivated by the evil “death cult” terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, as well as those who will restore Israel politically, and especially spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ 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.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us,
and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

[Contrasting Darkness and Light – Tikkun Global]

After Pentecost | Monday 23 Oct 2023: Psalm 63:1-8; Exodus 40:34-38; Revelation 18:1-10, 19-20 ~ God’s warning to escape from evil

After Pentecost | Monday 23 Oct 2023

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

Opening:

Set us free, loving Father,
from the bondage of our sins,
and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty
of that abundant life which you have made known to us
in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,
“Come away from her, my people.
Do not take part in her sins,
or you will be punished with her.”
(Revelation 18:4)
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From Psalms: Psalm 63 – Emmy Rose, Bethel Music

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OT Reading: Exodus 40:34-38 (NLT)

The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle

40:4 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

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I Saw the Lord (Dallas Holm) | Emmanuel Church Eastleigh

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NT Reading: Revelation 18:1-10, 19-20 (NLT)

The Fall of Babylon

18:1 After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. He gave a mighty shout:

“Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen!
She has become a home for demons.
She is a hideout for every foul spirit,
a hideout for every foul vulture
and every foul and dreadful animal.
For all the nations have fallen
because of the wine of her passionate immorality.
The kings of the world
have committed adultery with her.
Because of her desires for extravagant luxury,
the merchants of the world have grown rich.”

Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,

“Come away from her, my people.
Do not take part in her sins,
or you will be punished with her.
For her sins are piled as high as heaven,
and God remembers her evil deeds.
Do to her as she has done to others.
Double her penalty for all her evil deeds.
She brewed a cup of terror for others,
so brew twice as much for her.
She glorified herself and lived in luxury,
so match it now with torment and sorrow.
She boasted in her heart,
‘I am queen on my throne.
I am no helpless widow,
and I have no reason to mourn.’
Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day—
death and mourning and famine.
She will be completely consumed by fire,
for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.”

And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains. They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out,

“How terrible, how terrible for you,
O Babylon, you great city!
In a single moment
God’s judgment came on you.”
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18:19 And they will weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief. And they will cry out,

“How terrible, how terrible for that great city!
The shipowners became wealthy
by transporting her great wealth on the seas.
In a single moment it is all gone.”

Rejoice over her fate, O heaven
and people of God and apostles and prophets!
For at last God has judged her
for your sakes.

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Day of Judgement, Day of Wonders (Metropolitan Tabernacle) – Martijn de Groot

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy; let your fatherly goodness be upon all believers in the Holy Land. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver every person captivated by the evil “death cult” terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, as well as those who will restore Israel politically, and especially spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ 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.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the peace of God enfold us,
The love of God uphold us,
The wisdom of God control us.

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

After Pentecost| Sunday 22 Oct 2023: Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22 ~ God’s presence sets his people apart

After Pentecost | Sunday 22 Oct 2023 

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

Opening:

Set us free, loving Father,
from the bondage of our sins,
and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty
of that abundant life which you have made known to us
in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

Moses: “For your presence among us
sets your people and me apart
from all other people on the earth.”
(Exodus 33:16b)

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To God Be The Glory –Hymns of Grace

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From the Old Testament:  Exodus 33:12-23 (NLT)

Moses Sees the Lord’s Glory

33:12 One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”

The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”

The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”

Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”

The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”

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From Psalms: Psalm 99 – Holy Is He Live | Jason Silver

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From the Epistles: 1 Thessalonians 1 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

1:1 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May God give you grace and peace.

The Faith of the Thessalonian Believers

1:2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

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In Christ alone (Hebrew English Arabic) One for Israel | Christian Worship Lyric Videos

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-22 (NLT)

Taxes for Caesar

22:15 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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LIVE in Tel Aviv · Presence Worship on the Streets · PRAYER FOR ISRAEL · ​​⁠@EmanuelRoro @ShaiSol
[60 minutes of Live Worship, premiered on Oct 19 – listen to all, or part]

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ 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.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

Breathe love into lives ruled by fear.
Soften hearts that are hardened by pride.
Whisper gently to those bound by chains.
Sow peace where conflict divides.

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

 

After Pentecost | Saturday 21 Oct 2023: Psalm 99; Exodus 39:32-43; Matthew 14:1-12 ~ the capriciousness of evil

After Pentecost | Saturday 21 Oct 2023

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

Opening:

O God, our refuge and strength,
true source of all godliness:
Graciously hear
the heart-felt prayers of your Church,
and grant that those things
which we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“At her mother’s urging, the girl said,
“I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!”
(Matthew 14:8)
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From Psalms: Psalm 99 – performed by Sons of Korah | Roger Allen Burns

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OT Reading: Exodus 39:32-43 (NLT)

Moses Inspects the Work

39:32 And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses:

the sacred tent with all its furnishings, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;
the tent coverings of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;
the inner curtain to shield the Ark;
the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles;
the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;
the table and all its utensils;
the Bread of the Presence;
the pure gold lampstand with its symmetrical lamp cups, all its accessories, and the olive oil for lighting;
the gold altar;
the anointing oil and fragrant incense;
the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;
the bronze altar;
the bronze grating and its carrying poles and utensils;
the washbasin with its stand;
the curtains for the walls of the courtyard;
the posts and their bases;
the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;
the ropes and tent pegs;
all the furnishings to be used in worship at the Tabernacle;
the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.

So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.

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Holy Forever – Chris Tomlin | TheCatLadyJ

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NT Reading: Matthew 14:1-12 (NLT)

The Death of John the Baptist

14:1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”

For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

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I Speak Jesus – Here Be Lions & Darlene Zschech

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

How Are We Feeling | Tikkun Global

+ O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy; let your fatherly goodness be upon all believers in the Holy Land. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ 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 Israel’s enemies]. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them revelation to know that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

+ Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver every person captivated by the evil “death cult” terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, as well as those who will restore Israel politically, and especially spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ 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.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us,
and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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