+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:129-132 (NLT)
Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.
Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.
Reading: Habakkuk 2:14 (NLT)
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.
Reading: John 7:37-39 (NLT)
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
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O Lord, Your word enters and lets in the light. It gives understanding to the simple.
Open-mouthed and longing I come to You. To whom else shall I go? You have the words of eternal life. I have believed, sometimes recklessly, sometimes hesitantly, but I have believed, and come to know that You are the only one who can satisfy my thirst.
I am an emptiness for Thee to fill;
my soul a cavern for Thy sea.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:121-128 (NLT)
Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me! My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees. Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions.
Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.
Reading: 1 Kings 3:12-13 (NLT)
King Solomon
I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!
Reading: Matthew 22:15-22 (NLT)
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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Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You: Through Your cross and resurrection You offer freedom and hope to those ready to receive them. Lord, show me Your loving-kindness.
+ Give me wisdom and understanding: help me to live in the light of Your presence.
+ Guide my thoughts, my words, my actions: that what I do today may be pleasing to You.
+ Help me to avoid wrongdoing: redirect me and show me Your mercy and love.
+ Through Your passion and death You have won life for me: give me the strength of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord God, You hold out the light of your Word to those who do not know You. Strengthen in my heart the faith You have given me, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled within me. Through my 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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“God I Look to You” – Jenn Johnson (Bethel Church)
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:118-120 (NLT)
You have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws! I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.
Reading: Nehemiah 8:9 (NLT)
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Reading: James 3:3-8 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
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The fear of the Lord can help us… to be directed in the particular path that will best help us in our own journey with God. The paths may be as varied as the people! Specific obedience us what is required.
Celtic Daily Prayer – Aidan Readings for 20 Oct.
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Prayer – Saint Piran (sixth century) “A Call to New Beginnings”
Dare me to follow You, and I will obey Your truth. Always keep me faithful.
+ When things seem good and all my work yields harvest, and service at last is crowned with rich success, when all my work is bathed in earthly glory, help me to remember my beginning and my end is You.
Set me to following You. I will obey Your truth. Always keep me faithful.
+ Help me remember, Lord, that You are Alpha and Omega, that all the story lies within Your hands. You are at my beginning and ending.
Calling me on… and on.
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“Here In Your Presence” – New Life Worship
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God will listen and help, when you pray without ceasing.
Opening Prayer:
Lord, tireless guardian of your people, always ready to hear the cries of your chosen ones, teach us to rely, day and night, on your care. Support our prayer lest we grow weary. Impel us to seek your enduring justice and your ever-present help. Grant 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.
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“The Lord Reigns” – Lindell Cooley Lyrics Living Waters Ministries
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)
[Israel trusts God to prevail through Moses’ persistent prayer and Joshua’s willingness to fight.]
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
Victory of Joshua over the Amalekites Nicolas Poussin, 1625 Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 121 (NLT)
I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
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“Psalm 121” (Shir Lamaalot / Song of OF Ascents} – James Block
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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)
[God’s Word gives us wisdom for salvation and guidance along the way in good times and bad.]
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)
[Jesus uses a parable to show that persistent prayer works.]
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
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“Cry Out to Jesus” – Third Day
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Intercessory Prayer:
Our help is in the name of the Lord – Lord, hear our prayers:
+ That there may be peace in Syria, and that terrorism may be defeated…. Lord, hear us.
+ That missionaries who feel sad and discouraged may not give up…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians suffering under persecution may have courage…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who live with depression may have God’s help…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may pray persistently and have all their prayers answered…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who have died in Christ may experience the fullness of God’s love…. Lord, hear us.
O Lord, you are our guard and our shade, you protect your servants in their need: hear these prayers we offer, trusting you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Benediction (May the Peace of God)” – Stuart Townend
May the peace of God our heavenly Father, And the grace of Christ the risen Son, And the fellowship of God the Spirit Keep our hearts and minds within His love.
And to Him be praise for His glorious reign, From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven. We declare the name of the Lamb once slain: Christ eternal, the King of kings!
May this peace which passes understanding, And this grace which makes us what we are, And this fellowship of His communion Make us one in spirit and in heart.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord God, who continues to do great things for all peoples.
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.
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“Alleluia” – Bethel Live Worship
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A Reading from the Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:14-17 (NLT)
[The healing of the leper Naaman and his decision to commit himself to the God of Israel.]
So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!
Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
Elisha refuses the gifts of Naaman Pieter de Grebber, 1637 Frans Hals Museum Haarlem, Netherlands
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.
Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
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“Psalm 98 (Holy is He)” – David Dunn
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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)
[A short summary of the good news.]
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)
[The story of the healing of ten lepers, and the return of just one to say ‘thanks’.]
As 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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“Healer” – Bethel Music
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Intercessory Prayer:
Wonder-working God: Hear our prayers –
+ For a speedy end to the conflict in Syria, that God will move the hearts of the various factions to bring an end to the bloodshed…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the people of Syria, especially those who have lost homes and loved ones: that they may find a place of safety…. Lord, hear us.
+ For journalists, that in carrying out their work, they may always be motivated by respect for truth…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the men and women chosen to spread the Good News, that they may bear the hardships which come with that task…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who suffer from disease in our world, that full medical help may be available to rich and poor alike…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those whose homes and livelihood have been destroyed by Hurricane Matthew, that they may find the resources to re-build their lives…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who suffer isolation today, as the lepers once did, that nothing may deprive them of the support of Christians…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may live with You forever…. Lord, hear us.
God of many wonders, you bring salvation to all the earth: remember your people and grant our prayer, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Strength” – Jonathan & Melissa Helser
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Benediction:
(May) Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 