Easter Season | Friday 19 May 2023: Psalm 93; 2 Kings 2:1-12; Ephesians 2:1-7 ~ God has raised us from the dead with Christ.

Easter Season | Friday 19 May 2023

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

Opening:

Almighty God,
whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
ascended into heaven:
May our hearts and minds also there ascend,
and with him continually dwell;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“God gave us life
when he raised Christ from the dead.”
(Ephesians 2:4-5)

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From Psalms: Psalm 93 || Poor Bishop Hooper

the lord reigns in majesty
firmly established his word endures eternity
the world planted steadily
the voice of the waters pounding

the lord on high is mighty
the lord on high is mighty

mightier than the thundering of waters
mightier than the breakers of the sea

the lord on high is mighty
the lord on high is mighty

holiness adorns your house
holiness adorns your house for endless days

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OT Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12 (NLT)

Elijah Taken into Heaven

2:1 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel.

The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”

“Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Jericho.”

But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho.

Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”

“Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”

Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.”

But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together.

Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground!

When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”

And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”

As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.

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VANGELIS – Chariots Of Fire from Mythodea [Live]

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NT Reading: Ephesians 2:1-7 (NLT)

Made Alive with Christ

2:1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

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Jesus Culture – Alive In You

Ascension of the Lord | 18 May 2023: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 ~ Jesus was taken up to heaven.

Ascension of the Lord | 18 May 2023

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

Opening:

“While [Jesus]was blessing them,
he left them and was taken up to heaven.”
(Luke 24:51)

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The Ascension – Phil Wickham

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From Acts of the Apostles: Acts 1:1-11 (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1:1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Ascension of Jesus

1:6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

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From Psalms: Psalm 93 (Interlude) || Village Lights

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From the Epistles: Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT)

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

1:15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

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Our God Reigns – 250 Voice Mass Choir for Classic Hymns album titled ” Our God Reigns”

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Gospel Reading: Luke 24:44-53 (NLT)

24:44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

The Ascension

24:50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

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This I Believe (The Creed) – Hillsong Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Joseph Mercier

+ O Holy Spirit, beloved of our souls, we adore you. Enlighten us, guide us, strengthen us, console us. Tell us what we should do; give us your orders. We promise to submit ourselves to all that you desire of us and to accept all that you permit to happen to us. Let us only know your will. Amen.

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Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

Be the Life I live
Be the Love I give

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

Easter Season | Wednesday 17 May 2023: Psalm 93; Deuteronomy 31:1-13; John 16:16-24 ~ Jesus: “Ask… and you will have abundant joy.”

Easter Season | Wednesday 17 May 2023

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

Opening:

O God, you have prepared
for those who love you such good things
as surpass our understanding:
Pour into our hearts such love towards you,
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus: “You haven’t done this before.
Ask, using my name,
and you will receive,
and you will have abundant joy.”
(John 16:24)

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From Psalms: Psalm 93 || 2nd Chapter of Acts/Mansion Builder

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OT Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-13 (NLT)

Joshua Becomes Israel’s Leader

31:1 When Moses had finished giving these instructions to all the people of Israel, he said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’ But the Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the Lord promised.

“The Lord will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites. The Lord will hand over to you the people who live there, and you must deal with them as I have commanded you. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Public Reading of the Book of Instruction

13:9 So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to the elders of Israel. Then Moses gave them this command: “At the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, you must read this Book of Instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the Lord your God at the place he chooses. Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the Lord your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.”

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Be strong and courageous and do not be afraid. || Acapella Company

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NT Reading: John 16:16-24 (NLT)

Easter Season | Tuesday 16 May 2023: Psalm 93; Deuteronomy 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:8-12 ~ Moses: “Follow God’s path… to a long and prosperous life.”

Easter Season | Tuesday 16 May 2023

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

Opening:

Moses: “Stay on the path
that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow.
Then you will live long and prosperous lives
in the land you are about to enter and occupy.”
(Deuteronomy 5: 33)

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From Psalm 93 – You are Mighty || Brad Richardson and Friends

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OT Reading: Deuteronomy 5:22-33 (NLT)

5:22 “The Lord spoke these words to all of you assembled there at the foot of the mountain. He spoke with a loud voice from the heart of the fire, surrounded by clouds and deep darkness. This was all he said at that time, and he wrote his words on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

“But when you heard the voice from the heart of the darkness, while the mountain was blazing with fire, all your tribal leaders and elders came to me. They said, ‘Look, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice from the heart of the fire. Today we have seen that God can speak to us humans, and yet we live! But now, why should we risk death again? If the Lord our God speaks to us again, we will certainly die and be consumed by this awesome fire. Can any living thing hear the voice of the living God from the heart of the fire as we did and yet survive? Go yourself and listen to what the Lord our God says. Then come and tell us everything he tells you, and we will listen and obey.’

“The Lord heard the request you made to me. And he said, ‘I have heard what the people said to you, and they are right. Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. Go and tell them, “Return to your tents.” But you stand here with me so I can give you all my commands, decrees, and regulations. You must teach them to the people so they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.’”

So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

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Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah || Worship Lyrics Online

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NT Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-12 (NLT)

Easter Season | Monday 15 May 2023: Psalm 93; Genesis 9:8-17; Acts 27:39-44 ~ God: “Never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

Easter Season | Monday 15 May 2023

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

Opening:

God: “Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you.
Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures;
never again will a flood destroy the earth.”
(Genesis 9:11)

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From Psalm 93 | The Lord Almighty Reigns || SovereignGraceMusic

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OT Reading: Genesis 9:8-17 (NLT)

9:8 Then God told Noah and his sons, “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth. Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”