Thursday, December 31, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CREED



APOSTLE’S CREED

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by he Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CONFESSION & PRAISE


CONFESSION

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

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

TIME FOR SELF-EXAMINATION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in
thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our
whole heart and mind and strength; we have not loved our
neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have
been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall
be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
Amen


PRAISE




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Monday, December 28, 2009

WORSHIP THROUGH THE BODY & BLESSING


PREPARATION
To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread and a small cup of juice or wine.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

PRAISE
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of power and might:
Heaven and Earth are full of you glory. Hosanna,
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

LORD’S SUPPER
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks; broke it,
and gave it to his disciples
saying: Take and eat;
this is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.

Again, after supper,
He took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is
the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in remembrance of me.

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

COMMUNION SCRIPTURES

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God. Romans 3:23

We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us
has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid
on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God
Is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Just as man is destined to die once, and after
that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27

But God demonstrates his own love for us in
this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For Christ died for sinners once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by
the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of
God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

He saved us, not because of righteous things
we had done, but because of his mercy. He
saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Yet to all who received him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God. John 1:12

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is
Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified, and it
is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

I write these things to you who believe in the
name of the Son of God so that you may know
that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and
believes in the one who sent me has eternal life
and will not be condemned; he has crossed over
from death to life.” John 5:24

COMMUNION
The body of Christ, given for you. (take & eat the piece of bread)
The blood of Christ, shed for you. (take & drink the juice or wine)

CLOSING PRAYER
We give you thanks,
almighty God, that you
have refreshed us
through the healing
power of this gift of
life, and we pray that
in your mercy you
would strengthen us,
through this gift,
in faith toward you and in
fervent love toward one
another; for the sake of
Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

BLESSING
Do not turn the Temple into a marketplace,
But instead believe Scripture and His words of Resurrection,
About the Temple being destroyed and His raising it three days later.
Know what man’s testimony about man is so you will know what is in man,
And so that you will believe in the miraculous signs and Him instead.
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
from John 2:12-25

Saturday, December 26, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD


NEW WINE

TEXT: JOHN 2:1-11 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John2&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE – John 2:1-11

NEW WINE

After three days while attending a wedding at Cana in Galilee, when Jesus’ mother told him they had run out of wine he asked her why she was trying to involve him in their situation when his time hadn’t come. Despite this his mother told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do at which point he told them to fill six stone jars, that hold twenty to thirty gallons and that are used for ceremonial washing, with water. After they did this he told them to take a sample to the person in charge of the banquet and after tasting the water that had been turned into wine, and not knowing where it had come from like the servants did, he took the bridegroom aside. He told him that everyone brings out their best wine first and their less expensive wine when everyone has had too much to drink but that he had saved his best wine until now. This was the first of the miraculous signs Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee that revealed his glory and resulted in his disciples putting their faith in him.

PRINCIPLES – John 2:1-11

I. John told his first century readers that Jesus revealed his glory & his disciples had faith in him.

II. How did John tell his first century readers that Jesus revealed his glory & his disciples had faith in him?

III. John told his first century readers that:

A. Jesus celebrated a wedding banquet

B. Jesus turned water into wine

C. Jesus provided the best wine last

I. John tells us today that Jesus reveals his glory & his disciples have faith in him.

II. How does John tell us today Jesus reveals his glory & his disciples have faith in him?

III. John tells us today that:

A. Jesus celebrates conversions

B. Jesus turns sinners into saints

C. Jesus provides himself to fulfill the Law

PRAYER

Our Father, we praise You for Your Son’s glory.

Our Father, we praise You that Your Son’s glory was revealed at a wedding banquet.

Our Father, we praise You that His disciple’s had faith in Him when His glory was revealed.

Our Father, we praise You that His disciple’s had faith that He was the Messiah.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son has the power to turn water into wine.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son has the power to turn sinners into saints.

Our Father, we praise You that Your Son is the new wine.

Our Father, we praise You that Your Son came in fulfillment of the Law on the Cross.

Our Father, we thank You for Your Son’s presence during conversions.

Our Father, we thank You for Your Son’s celebration of conversions with us.

Our Father, we pray all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CREED


THE ATHANASIAN CREED

http://www.llpb.us/Canticles-Psalms-Ants.htm

Whoever wants to be saved should above all cling to the catholic faith.

Whoever does not guard it whole and inviolable will doubtless perish eternally.

Now this is the catholic faith: We worship one God in trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the divine being.

For the Father is one person, the Son is another, and the Spirit is still another.

But the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory, coeternal in majesty.

What the Father is, the Son is, and so is the Holy Spirit.

Uncreated is the Father; uncreated is the Son; uncreated is the Spirit.

The Father is infinite; the Son is infinite; the Holy Spirit is infinite.

Eternal is the Father; eternal is the Son; eternal is the Spirit: And yet there are not three eternal beings, but one who is eternal; as there are not three uncreated and unlimited beings, but one who is uncreated and unlimited.

Almighty is the Father; almighty is the Son; almighty is the Spirit: And yet there are not three almighty beings, but one who is almighty.

Thus the Father is God; the Son is God; the Holy Spirit is God: And yet there are not three gods, but one God.

Thus the Father is Lord; the Son is Lord; the Holy Spirit is Lord: And yet there are not three lords, but one Lord.

As Christian truth compels us to acknowledge each distinct person as God and Lord, so catholic religion forbids us to say that there are three gods or lords.

The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten; the Son was neither made nor created, but was alone begotten of the Father; the Spirit was neither made nor created, but is proceeding from the Father and the Son.

Thus there is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three spirits.

And in this Trinity, no one is before or after, greater or less than the other; but all three persons are in themselves, coeternal and coequal; and so we must worship the Trinity in unity and the one God in three persons.

Whoever wants to be saved should think thus about the Trinity.

It is necessary for eternal salvation that one also faithfully believe that our Lord Jesus Christ became flesh.

For this is the true faith that we believe and confess: That our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, is both God and man.

He is God, begotten before all worlds from the being of the Father, and he is man, born in the world from the being of his mother -- existing fully as God, and fully as man with a rational soul and a human body; equal to the Father in divinity, subordinate to the Father in humanity.

Although he is God and man, he is not divided, but is one Christ.

He is united because God has taken humanity into himself; he does not transform deity into humanity.

He is completely one in the unity of his person, without confusing his natures.

For as the rational soul and body are one person, so the one Christ is God and man.

He suffered death for our salvation. He descended into hell and rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

At his coming all people shall rise bodily to give an account of their own deeds.

Those who have done good will enter eternal life, those who have done evil will enter eternal fire.

This is the catholic faith.

One cannot be saved without believing this firmly and faithfully.


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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

WORSHIP THRU PRAISE





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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CONFESSION


CONFESSION – (ADAPTED FROM THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH)

Lord, have mercy.

Holy God, You dwell among Your saints. You are praised by the Seraphim with the thrice holy hymn and glorified by the Cherubim and worshiped by all the heavenly powers. You have brought all things out of nothing into being. You have created man and woman in Your image and likeness and adorned them with all the gifts of Your grace. You have enabled us, Your lowly and unworthy servants, to stand at this hour before the glory of Your holy altar and to offer to You due worship and praise. Master, accept the thrice holy hymn also from the lips of us sinners and visit us in Your goodness. Forgive our voluntary and involuntary transgressions, sanctify our souls and bodies, and grant that we may worship and serve You in holiness all the days of our lives.

For You are holy, our God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us .

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Blessed are You on the throne of glory of Your kingdom, seated upon the Cherubim, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

With all of our soul and with all our mind, we say:

Lord, have mercy.

O Lord Almighty, the God of our Fathers, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Thy great goodness, we beseech Thee, hear us and have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Furthermore we pray for this country, its ruler, President Obama, its people, civil authorities and armed forces.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Furthermore we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants of God.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

O Lord our God, accept our fervent supplication from Thy servants, and have mercy upon us according to the multitude of Thy mercies; and send forth Thy compassion upon us and upon all Thy people, who await the rich mercy that cometh from Thee.

For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord God of the Powers, Who hast accounted us worthy to stand even now before Thy holy altar, and to prostrate ourselves before Thy compassion for our sins and errors of the people. Accept our supplications, O God; make us worthy to offer unto Thee prayers and supplications, and bloodless sacrifices for all Thy people. And enable us, by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, to call upon Thee at all times and in every place; that hearing us, Thou mayest show mercy upon us according to the multitude of Thy goodness.

Help us, save us have mercy upon us and protect us, O god, by Thy grace.

Lord, have mercy.

For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen



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Monday, December 21, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORLD


BLESSING

He brought with him new wine, saving the best for last,
May you drink today his glory revealed.

He cleansed the marketplace from the temple based on his authority to restore the Temple three days after it was destroyed,
May you believe today Scripture about his words of resurrection.

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

based on John 2:1-25

Sunday, December 20, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE BODY


PREPARATION


To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread and a small cup of juice or wine.


The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.


THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Eucharistic Prayer I

The Lord is with us.
And with our spirit.
We lift up our hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
It is meet and right for us so to do so.


It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should
at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord,
holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.


Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the
company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious
Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,


Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.


Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.


All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for
that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus
Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who
made there, by his one holy sacrifice of himself once offered, a full,
perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, a holy sacrifice , & satisfaction, for
the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy
Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that
his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.


COMMUNION

For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread;
and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his
disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for
you. Do this in remembrance of me.”


Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had
given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of this;
for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for
you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as
ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”


COMMUNION PRAYER

Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the
institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before
thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now
offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to
make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious
death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;
rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable
benefits procured unto us by the same.


And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to
hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless
and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts
and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them
according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution,
in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers
of his most blessed Body and Blood.


And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most
humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and
death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood,
we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our
sins, and all other benefits of his passion.


And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves,
our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living
sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all
others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may
worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son
Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction,
and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and
we in him.


And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins,
to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept
this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits,
but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world
without end. AMEN.


LORD’S PRAYER

And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold
to say,


Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.


THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.


O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
grant us thy peace.



We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful
Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold
and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather
up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord
whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore,
gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him,
and he in us. Amen.



THE GIFTS OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

Take them in remembrance that Christ died for
you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith,
with thanksgiving.


The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee,
preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat
this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on
him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.


The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee,
preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in
remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be
thankful.



PRAYER

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee
for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the
spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy
Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of
thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very
members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the
blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs,
through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly
beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy
grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do
all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the
Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.


COMMUNION BLESSING
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep
your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of
God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be
amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.


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Saturday, December 19, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD


DISCIPLES: HIS TESTIMONY THEIR TESTIMONY

TEXT: JOHN 1:35-51 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/index.php?q=john1&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE – John 1:35-51

DISCIPLES

The next day when John the Baptist, along with two of his disciples saw Jesus again, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When these disciples of John began following Jesus he asked them what they wanted, they asked him where he was staying and he told them to come and see. After following and spending the day with him, the first thing one of them (Andrew) did was to find his brother Simon to tell him they had found the Messiah after which he brought him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus told Simon his new name was Peter.

Going to Galilee the next day, Jesus found Philip and told him to follow him after which Philip went to find his brother Nathaniel telling him they had found Jesus of Nazareth - the one Moses and the prophets had written about as the coming Messiah. When Nathaniel discounted what his brother told him because where Jesus came from was considered a despicable place, Philip told him to come and see for himself. As Nathaniel approached and Jesus called him a true Israelite - a man of integrity, Nathaniel asked Jesus how he knew this about him to which Jesus said he had seen where he was sitting under a fig tree studying the Law when his brother Philip had come to get him. Amazed at Jesus’ knowledge of this, Nathaniel confessed Jesus as the Son of God, the King of Israel at which point Jesus told Nathaniel that if he believed he was the Messiah because of this, as a man of greater integrity than Jacob, he would be witness to much greater things to come such as seeing Jacob's dream come alive with heaven opening and God’s angels ascending and descending on the him - the Son of Man.

PRINCIPLES – John 1:35-51

I. John told his first century readers that disciples began following Jesus.

II. What did John tell his first century readers why disciples began following Jesus?

III. John told his first century readers that disciples began following Jesus because of:

A. Jesus’ Testimony
1.. Jesus said “Come and See.” v. 39
2. Jesus said “Follow Me.” v. 43
3. Jesus said to Nathaniel he had seen him under the fig tree. v. 48
4. Jesus said the angels of God would ascend and descend on him. v. 50

B. Other’s Testimony
1. John the Baptist said he was the Lamb of God. v. 36
2. Andrew said he was the Messiah. v. 41
3. Philip said he was the one Moses wrote about. v. 45
4. Nathaniel said he was the Son of God. v. 49

IV. John tells us today that disciples begin following Jesus.

V. What does John tell us today why disciples begin following Jesus?

VI. John tells us today that disciples begin following Jesus because of:

A. Jesus’ Testimony
1.. Jesus tells us “Come and See.” v. 39
2. Jesus tells us “Follow Me.” v. 43
3. Jesus tells us he has seen us. v. 48
4. Jesus tells us the angels of God will ascend and descend on him. v. 50

B. Other’s Testimony
1. John the Baptist tells us he is the Lamb of God. v. 36
2. Andrew tells us he is the Messiah. v. 41
3. Philip tells us he is the one Moses wrote about. v. 45
4. Nathaniel tells us he is the Son of God. v. 49

PRAYER

Our Father, we praise You for Your Lamb.
Our Father, we praise You that Your angels glorify Him.
Our Father, we praise You for Andrew's, Philip's, Nathaniel's & the Baptist's confessions.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son sees us.
Our Father, we ask when Your Son calls “Come & See” & “Follow Me” we do.
Our Father, we ask as Your Son’s disciples we confess Him as Messiah to others.

Our Father, we pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Friday, December 18, 2009

WORSHIP THRU PRAISE, CREED & PRAYER



"PRAISE"


"CREED"

THE DEFINITION OF CHALCEDON (451)

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a rational soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood;

One and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed* of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

*a reference to the Nicene Creed

"PRAYERS"

PRAYER: PSALM 1
http://www.llpb.us/Canticles-Psalms-Ants.htm

PRAYER: PSALM 32
http://www.llpb.us/Canticles-Psalms-Ants.htm

THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CONFESSION



CONFESSION

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

Glory be to God on high.
And on earth peace towards men of good will.
We praise thee.
We bless thee.
We worship thee.
We glorify thee.
We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly King
God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art Holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the Most High.
Thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen.


TIME FOR SILENT RELFECTION AND CONFESSION


O God, We come to celebrate that your Spirit is alive and
present all around us and within us. Forgive us when we
ignore its life and power. You bring us hope for today and
tomorrow. Forgive us for dwelling on mistakes of the past.
You love each one with passion and special fondness. Forgive
us for believing we are not good enough to deserve your favor.
Help us to live more fully in the joy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.


Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.


FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
Amen


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. For ever and ever. Amen


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Monday, December 14, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORLD



BLESSING

May you come so you will see,
And so you will follow Him.
May you come and see,
So that you will see even greater things.

For the Messiah has been found.
The one Moses wrote about in the Law.
The one whom the prophets wrote about.

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

John 1:35-50


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Sunday, December 13, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE BODY


PREPARATION

To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread and a small cup of juice or wine.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

Glory be to God on high.
And in earth peace towards men of good will.
We praise thee.
We bless thee.
We worship thee.
We glorify thee.
We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly King
God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art Holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the Most High.
Thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen.


LORD’S SUPPER

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,
took bread, and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and said, “This is my body.
Which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after supper he took the cup,
saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Cor 11:23-26


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever.
Amen.


COMMUNION SCRIPTURES

Then he said to them all: “if anyone would
come after me, he must deny himself and take
up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will. Romans 12:2

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let
nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to
the work of the Lord because you know that your
labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. (take & eat the piece of bread)

The blood of Christ, shed for you. (take & drink the juice or wine)


CLOSING PRAYERS

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen


We give you thanks,
almighty God, that you
have refreshed us
through the healing
power of this gift of
life, and we pray that
in your mercy you
would strengthen us,
through this gift,
in faith toward you and in
fervent love toward one
another; for the sake of
Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.


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Saturday, December 12, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD


THE CHRIST THE NOT-CHRIST

TEXT: JOHN 1:19-34 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/index.php?q=john1&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE

THE NOT-CHRIST

When priests were sent to John the Baptist to ask him who he was he told them “I am not the Christ,” so they asked him if he was Elijah or the Prophet and he told them, “No.” When they finally asked him to give them an answer they could take back to the religious leaders in Jerusalem who had sent them, John said, “I am the voice of one calling out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,’ “ using the words of the prophet Isaiah. They then asked John if he wasn’t the Christ, Elijah or the Prophet why he was baptizing people. He told them while his baptism was with water there was someone else among them, who was coming after him, whom he wasn’t even worthy to untie his sandals. This all happened on the other side of the Jordan at Bethany.

THE CHRIST

The day after this, when John saw Jesus coming he called him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and told the people this is who I was talking about when I said there was someone else among you whose sandals I was unworthy to untie. Even though I didn’t know who he was I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me that the one on whom the Spirit comes down from heaven in the form of a dove and remains on is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen this happen and “I testify he is the Son of God.”


PRINCIPLES

I. John told his first century readers who “the Christ” was.

II. How did John tell his first century readers who “the Christ” was?

III. John told his first century readers that “the Christ” was:

A. “Not” John the Baptist, the one who:
(1) Called out in the desert.
(2) Made straight the way of the Lord.
(3) Baptized with water.
(4) Was unworthy to untie his sandals.
(5) Revealed who “the Christ” was.

B. Jesus, the one who:
(1) Was the Lamb of God.
(2) Takes away the sin of the world.
(3) The Spirit came down from heaven on.
(4) Baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
(5) Was the Son of God!

IV. John tells us today who “the Christ” is.

V. How does John tell us today who “the Christ” is?

VI. John tells us today that “the Christ” is:

A. “Not” John the Baptist, the one who:
(1) Called out in the desert.
(2) Made straight the way of the Lord.
(3) Baptized with water.
(4) Was unworthy to untie his sandals.
(5) Revealed who “the Christ” was.

B. Jesus, the one who:
(1) Is the Lamb of God.
(2) Takes away the sin of the world.
(3) The Spirit came down from heaven on.
(4) Baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
(5) Is the Son of God!

PRAYER

Our Father, forgive the sins we commit each day that make us unworthy to be in Your presence without the mercy and forgiveness You show to a repentant and contrite heart.

Our Father, we thank You for Your Lamb that takes away the sin of the world and for Your baptism with water and the Holy Spirit.

Our Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit empower us to be a voice calling out in our barren world, to those who are spiritually thirsty.

Our Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit empower us to make straight the way of the Lord to those who are seeking Him and like John, help to reveal “the Christ” as the “Son of God” to others through our witness and testimony.

Our Father, we pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Friday, December 11, 2009

WORSHIP THRU PRAYER



PSALM-PRAYER

Pour forth, O Lord, Thy blessing upon Thy people, that being fortified by Thy Resurrection, we may not be afraid of ten thousands of the adversaries that have set themselves against us round about; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

PSALM-PRAYER

O God, that searchest the heart and triest the reins, deliver us from them that persecute us: and grant us, through the expectation of Thy judgment, such firm trust of heart that we may never recompense to our enemies evil for evil; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom,
the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CREED


APOSTLE’S CREED

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by he Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CONFESSION


CONFESSION

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

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9



TIME FOR SELF EXAMINATION


Create in me a clean heart, O God
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51


Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against
thee in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen.



FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen


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Monday, December 7, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORLD


BLESSING

May your voice call out in the desert,

May you make the Lord’s way straight,

May you baptize in His Holy name,

Thou you are unworthy to untie His sandals.

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

Amen.

John 1:19-28

Sunday, December 6, 2009

WORSHIP THROUGH THE BODY


PREPARATION

To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread and a small cup of juice or wine.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

PRAISE

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of power and might:
Heaven and Earth are full of you glory. Hosanna,
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

LORD’S SUPPER

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks; broke it,
and gave it to his disciples
saying: Take and eat;
this is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.

Again, after supper,
He took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is
the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in remembrance of me.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen


COMMUNION SCRIPTURES

We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us
has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid
on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Just as man is destined to die once, and after
that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27

For Christ died for sinners once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by
the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

He saved us, not because of righteous things
we had done, but because of his mercy. He
saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is
Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified, and it
is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

I write these things to you who believe in the
name of the Son of God so that you may know
that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13


COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. (take & eat the piece of bread)

The blood of Christ, shed for you. (take & drink the juice or wine)


CLOSING PRAYER

We give you thanks,
almighty God, that you
have refreshed us
through the healing
power of this gift of
life, and we pray that
in your mercy you
would strengthen us,
through this gift,
in faith toward you and in
fervent love toward one
another; for the sake of
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Saturday, December 5, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD


ETERNAL WORD ETERNAL LIFE

TEXT: JOHN 1:1-18 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/index.php?q=john1&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE

In the beginning was Jesus Christ, the Word, by whom all things were created, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus Christ was with God from the beginning. Through him everything was made – without him nothing that was made has been made. In him was life which was the light of men that shines in darkness although the darkness has not understood it. God sent John as a witness to testify about the true light coming into the world to give light to all men so that they might believe. John was a witness to the light not the light itself.

Even though he was in the world he had made, the world did not know him and when he came to his own people they rejected who he was. However, to all who received him by believing in who he was he gave the right to become children of God – children born of God rather than by natural descent.

The Word became flesh in Jesus Christ and he lived among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the Holy Father, from whom he came full of His grace and truth. John testifies to this crying out this is the one of whom I said he who comes after me is greater than me because he preceded me. From the abundance of his grace we have all received many blessings. For while the law was given to Moses grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. And while no one has ever seen God, Jesus Christ, who resides at the Father’s side, has made Him known.


PRINCIPLES

I. John tells his first century readers that Jesus Christ is eternal God who was brought into this sinful world by God the Father to make His righteousness and grace known.

II. How does John tell his first century readers that Jesus Christ is the eternal God who was brought into this world by God the Father to make His righteousness and grace known?

III. John tells his first century readers that Jesus Christ was:

A. The Word of God.
(1) Eternal God.
(2) The Creator.
(3) Life & Light!

C. The Word become flesh.
(1) At the Father’s side
(2) God’s glory, grace & truth.
(3) God Incarnate!

B. The Way to God.
(1) Unrecognized by many.
(2) Received by some.
(3) Eternal Life!

IV. John tells us today that Jesus Christ is eternal God who was brought into this sinful world by God the Father to make His righteousness and grace known.

V. How does John tell us today that Jesus Christ is the eternal God who was brought into this world by God the Father to make His righteousness and grace known?

VI. John tells us that Jesus Christ is:

A. The Word of God.
(1) Eternal God.
(2) The Creator.
(3) Life & Light!

B. The Word become flesh.
(1) At the Father’s side.
(2) God’s glory, grace & truth.
(3) God Incarnate!

C. The Way to God.
(1) Unrecognized by many.
(2) Received by some.
(3) Eternal Life!

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You and give You praise for Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word, who is eternal, who is God, who was with You from the beginning, and who is the Creator of all things.

Our Father, we praise You for the Life and Light he brought into the world and we ask Your forgiveness when we hide in the darkness of this world, when instead of coming into his Light and Life, we try to cover our sins because of our shame.

Our Father, we ask that Your righteousness which we have received when we believed in Your Son’s Name, in the Name of Jesus Christ – that Your grace that we have received, lead us to repentance and to not fear returning to the Light and Life that Your Son has brought to our lives.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son made his dwelling place among us and with our belief in his Name that he makes his dwelling place within us, within our hearts through the power of Your Holy Spirit so that we are never separated from Your Love.

Our Father, we thank You for making Yourself known to us through the grace and truth we have received from Your Son’s sacrifice for our sins, for the Eternal Life that this brings and for the darkness that this brings us out of and the Light that this brings us into.

Our Father, we pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Friday, December 4, 2009

WORSHIP THRU PRAYER


PSALM -PRAYER

O Christ, Son of the Living God, whose beauty in Thy passion departed for very heaviness and was worn away because of all Thine enemies; heal the wounds of our hearts, that Thy grace being confirmed in us, we may so put our trust in Thy passion as to find our glory in Thy Resurrection; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


PSALM-PRAYER

O Thou that art the healer both of soul and body, send forth Thy salvation and make us whole: that while we deplore all our sickness and all our infirmity, we may by Thy strength overcome the temptations of the enemy; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.


THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CREED



NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
The Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
The only Son of God,
Eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
In accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

WORSHIP THRU CONFESSION


CONFESSION

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

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

If I say I have no sin, I deceive myself, and the truth is not in me. But if I confess my sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

TIME FOR SELF-EXAMINATION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in
thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our
whole heart and mind and strength; we have not loved our
neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have
been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall
be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Monday, November 30, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORLD


BLESSING

May the Word that was there in the beginning,
That became flesh and made its dwelling among us,
Become your life and light in this world of darkness.
So, by being given the right to become children of God,
By receiving him - by believing in his name.
You will receive the blessings of his grace and truth.
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE BODY


PREPARATION


To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread and a small cup of juice or wine.


The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.


THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

The Lord is with us.
And with our spirit.
We lift up our hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
It is meet and right for us so to do so.

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should
at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord,
holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the
company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious
Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.


LORD’S SUPPER

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks; broke it,
and gave it to his disciples
saying: Take and eat;
this is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.

Again, after supper,
He took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is
the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in remembrance of me.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

COMMUNION SCRIPTURES

“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

But among you there must not be even a
hint of sexual immorality, or of any
kind of impurity, or of greed, because
these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:3

“So I strive always to keep my conscience clear
before God and man.” Acts 24:16

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his
faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded
that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-21

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. (take & eat the piece of bread)
The blood of Christ, shed for you. (take & drink the juice or wine)

CLOSING PRAYER

We give you thanks,
almighty God, that you
have refreshed us
through the healing
power of this gift of
life, and we pray that
in your mercy you
would strengthen us,
through this gift,
in faith toward you and in
fervent love toward one
another; for the sake of
Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD


"UNBELIEF"

TEXT: MATTHEW 12 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/index.php?q=matthew12&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE

MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE

Jesus and his disciples are accused by the Pharisees of doing what is unlawful when on the Sabbath they ate from the heads of grain in the field they are walking through. Reminding the Pharisees what David and his companions did when they were hungry and what the Law says about temple priests on the Sabbath, Jesus tells them that as the Messiah he is greater than the temple and that he is Lord of the Sabbath. Because of this, he tells them that if they knew the meaning of what Hosea prophesied God as saying when he wrote: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” they wouldn’t have passed judgment on his disciples who are innocent in what they have done.

Going into the Pharisees’ synagogue they were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, asking him in the presence of a man with a shriveled hand if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. After contrasting the greater good done on the Sabbath in helping a man rather than a pulling a sheep out of a pit, the man’s hand was completely restored when he stretched it out as Jesus instructed him to do. However, after this the Pharisees went out and plotted how they could kill Jesus.

HOPE OF THE WORLD

Aware of the Pharisees intent, Jesus left that place and many with him as he healed all of their illnesses but warned them not to tell others yet that he was the Messiah. And what Jesus was doing fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah said when he spoke:

This is my chosen servant, Whom I love and delight in, My Spirit is on him, He humbly and gently proclaims My righteousness to the world. So that the harassed, helpless, weary and burdened will not be crushed until My righteousness triumphs. In the name of Jesus the world will place their hope.

BLASPHEMY

When Jesus healed a demon possessed man so that he was able to talk and see, the people were amazed and wondered whether he was the Son of David – the Messiah. Instead, the Pharisees reacted by accusing him of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons – Satan. Knowing this, Jesus tells the Pharisees that it makes no sense for Satan to drive out his own demons because if he does, his kingdom can’t stand in the same way that any kingdom divided against itself can’t stand. He asks them in whose name their people drive demons out and tells them that as the Messiah he is driving demons out by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God has come. In other words, Jesus says that you can’t enter a strong man’s house and take his possessions unless you tie up the strong man first, i.e. Satan. And, after doing this you can then rob his house, i.e. the kingdom of God can forcefully advance.

He tells them whoever remains neutral with respect to whether he is the Messiah is really against him because instead of working with him to build up the kingdom of God they are instead working against him to scatter it. He tells them that all sins and blasphemy will be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, i.e. anyone who speaks blasphemy against Him will be forgiven but anyone who speaks blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan will not be forgiven either now or at the day of judgment.

Jesus tells them that a tree is recognized by its fruit – with good trees producing good fruit and bad trees producing bad trees – indicating that the Pharisees are a brood of vipers who are evil and thus are unable to say anything good. He says that on the day of judgment they will be held accountable for every careless word they have spoken - words that will either acquit or condemn them.

SIGN OF JONAH

When the religious leaders demanded that Jesus show them some dramatic miraculous sign, he calls them a wicked and adulterous generations for trying to test him after failing to believe in the miracles he had done in their midst. He tells them the only sign they will be given is the sign of Jonah – indicating that like Jonah who spent three days and nights in the belly of a huge fish before being released, he will spend three days and nights in a grave before being resurrected. He goes on to tell them that the people of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah’s preaching, will condemn their generation on the day of judgment because even though they have one greater than Jonah preaching to them, i.e. the Messiah, they have not repented. He also tells them that the Queen of the Sheba, who traveled a long distance to hear the wisdom of Solomon, will rise on the day of judgment to condemn their generation because even though one with greater wisdom than Solomon is with them, i.e. the Messiah, they fail to listen to him and believe.

He tells them when an evil spirit leaves a man it travels around trying to find places to rest and when it doesn’t find one it returns to the place it left finding it unoccupied, clean and in order – because there has been no change of heart, no acceptance of him as the Messiah, and only continued self-righteousness. Because of this it gets seven more spirits that are more wicked than itself to come and live there as well and in the end the man’s condition is worse than it was at first. He tells them this is the case with their generation that does not believe that he is the Messiah. .

FATHER’S WILL

While he was talking Jesus was notified that his mother and brothers were standing outside and wanted to talk with him. Pointing to his disciples, he said that whoever does the will of his Father is his brother and sister and mother.

PRINCIPLES

I. MATTHEW TOLD HIS FIRST CENTURY READERS THAT THE PHARISEES DID NOT BELIEVE JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH.

II. HOW DID MATTHEW TELL HIS FIRST CENTRUY READERS JESUS ADDRESSED THE PHARISEES’ UNBELIEF?

III. MATTHEW TOLD HIS FIRST CENTURY READERS THAT JESUS ADDRESSED THEIR UNBLIEF BY REVEALING HE WAS:

A. LORD OF THE SABBATH.

B. HOPE OF THE NATIONS.

C. HEALER OF ALL DISEASE.

D. JUDGE ON THE LAST DAY.

E. SERVANT OF THE FATHER’S WILL.

IV. MATTHEW TELLS US THAT THE PHARISEES OF TODAY DO NOT BELIEVE JESUS IS THE MESSIAIH.

V. HOW DOES MATTHEW TELL US JESUS ADDRESSES TODAY’S PHARISEES’ UNBELIEF?

VI. MATTHEW TELLS US THAT JESUS ADDRESSES THEIR UNBELIEF BY REVEALING HE IS:

A. LORD OF THE SABBATH.

B. HOPE OF THE NATIONS.

C. HEALER OF ALL DISEASE.

D. JUDGE ON THE LAST DAY.

E. SERVANT OF THE FATHER’S WILL.

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for Your Son, the Messiah and that as Lord of the Sabbath he desires mercy not sacrifice.

Our Father, forgive us when like Pharisees we focus on what we do rather than on what Your Son has done to change our heart purifying it from iniquity.

Our Father, we thank You for Your Son that he is our Hope, that he brought Justice to the World that he is our Salvation.

Our Father, we give you praise for Your Son who gave us the sign of Jonah, by spending 3 days and nights in the ground before You resurrected him to life.

Our Father, we give you praise that Your Son through the power of Your Holy Spirit drives our out demons leaving Your indwelling Spirit behind.

Our Father, help us to do Your will that we will be disciples of Your Son.

Our Father, we pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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