Sunday, August 11, 2019

Hope in Go August 11, 2019

Worship on Sunday, August 11 …
As we continue our focus on the Language of Belief, we turn our attention to another of Paul’s words of great promise … “HOPE”!


We delve into our focus on the Language of Belief, engaging the word “Faith!”




╬  Hope in God “My hope is in the Lord,” the Psalmist says, “in God who created the heavens and the earth.”  Hope is aspirational.  It is the patient longing for an outcome, both the design and fulfillment of desire. Hope is the companion of faith, and its fuel. The invitation of Scripture is for our hope to be placed in the One who is grace and goodness.  The history of relationship between God and humanity teaches us our hope is well-placed.

 Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.  

Blessings to you all as we bear witness together to the hope that is in us!

 - Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

  PRAYER OF THE DAY -------------------
God of life, as surely as there is one Body into which you have formed us, and one Spirit by which you call us, unite is in the one hope that is your grace and goodness made manifest, your Kingdom come on earth, for your glory and for the sake of the world you love.  Amen.

 READINGS --------------------------------
First Reading:  1 Chronicles 29:13-19
13 Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name.  14 "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. 18 O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

 Psalm 33:12-22

 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.
14 From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth —
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

 Second Reading:  Acts 2:22-28
22 "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know — 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope.

 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

 Gospel:  Matthew 12:15-21
Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.  20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  21 In his name the nations will put their hope.
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