tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24265649810536177532024-03-13T03:38:25.438-07:00Abiding Love SermonsSermon and Worship Service videos from Abiding Love Lutheran Church, Austin TXTom Hokansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05920997996847476375noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-52298591550976162992021-06-20T07:55:00.007-07:002021-06-20T08:04:03.099-07:00Loving God with all your Soul<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqA1hwd9g7M/YM9Wg53ExzI/AAAAAAAAvMA/FJnp9SlsYG4bwj2BK0Mivj19v4YWckNAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s542/image001.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="542" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqA1hwd9g7M/YM9Wg53ExzI/AAAAAAAAvMA/FJnp9SlsYG4bwj2BK0Mivj19v4YWckNAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/image001.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">╬ “My soul proclaims your greatness, O God!” An exclamation from Mary, the mother of Jesus, in response to an astounding revelation from God. She will bear God’s Christ into the world! She cannot contain her joy and wonder, and begins to praise God form the depths of her being … from her very soul! In simplest terms, we humans understand ourselves as “body and soul.” We experience life embodied, but we know ourselves to be far more. God has breathed spirit within us and created us as unique souls, in ways that even transcend bodiliness. And God invites us to love – to love God, to love others, to love the world God has made – with the whole of ourselves, from our very souls.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">All this and we’ll celebrate dads and grandads, too! Looking forward to our worship together!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/564251574" target="_blank">Here is a link to the video of the early service. </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Or play it here and use <a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/f4cd7374201/53b2c6bc-9b89-47ce-a1d3-a8225f02b510.pdf">this bulletin</a>. </span></p><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/564251574" title="vimeo-player" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY -----------------</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">God of creation, you breathe the spirit of life into us and kindle our very souls into being. Help us to find you at the deepest level of ourselves and to live from there: in you, with you, for you. Amen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">READINGS -----------------------------</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:25-31</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">25 When you have had children and children's children, and become complacent in the land, if you act corruptly by making an idol in the form of anything, thus doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, and provoking him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to occupy; you will not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 The Lord will scatter you among the peoples; only a few of you will be left among the nations where the Lord will lead you. 28 There you will serve other gods made by human hands, objects of wood and stone that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 From there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find him if you search after him with all your heart and soul. 30 In your distress, when all these things have happened to you in time to come, you will return to the Lord your God and heed him. 31 Because the Lord your God is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you; he will not forget the covenant with your ancestors that he swore to them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Psalm 63:1-8</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Acts 2:22-28</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">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.'</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">21 From that time Jesus began to show to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord; this shall not happen to you!" 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with His angels, and then he will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"> </span></p>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-91499230326157483372021-06-13T09:05:00.005-07:002021-06-13T09:31:59.714-07:00Loving God with all your heart<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Today we resumed our 11:00 Worship gathering as we delve into our theme of Loving God!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY9q65dx1ug/YMYtLcmyVMI/AAAAAAAAvG8/FqQdisxQyZ40s87rkDknzs6hM0K71mhQACLcBGAsYHQ/s818/Loving%2BGod%2B-%2BHeart.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="818" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY9q65dx1ug/YMYtLcmyVMI/AAAAAAAAvG8/FqQdisxQyZ40s87rkDknzs6hM0K71mhQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Loving%2BGod%2B-%2BHeart.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />╬ Loving God with all your heart! The calling to love God with the whole of our being is central to Jesus’ life and teaching. He draws upon the ancient wisdom tradition of Moses in proclaiming the “greatest commandment”: to love God with all that we are, loving others as we would be loved ourselves. That’s heart, soul, mind and strength. To love with our whole hearts is the calling to unlock the emotional love metaphorically seated in the “heart” of our being. The heart symbolizes the life dwelling in the body. Heart love is the capacity to connect deeply and empathetically with something or someone beyond us; perhaps to give another greater priority then our very selves.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/561030405" target="_blank">Here is a link to the video of the early service. </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Or play it here and use <a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/f4cd7374201/8c8687cd-c282-4403-a236-ad64b3639ba3.pdf">this bulletin</a>. </span></p><p><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="564" player.vimeo.com="" src=" https://player.vimeo.com/video/561030405" width="640"></iframe>" ></p>
<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------------------</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">God of all, open our hearts to share the love that you have planted and nourished there. Set us free to love you whole-heartedly and so to love others and your creation. Amen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">READINGS ----------------------------------------</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">First Reading: Leviticus 19:17-18</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">17 You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Psalm 51:1-2,6-7,10-12</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Acts 2:22-28</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">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.'</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Gospel: John 14:26-31</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.</span></p>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-9339326648417854222020-03-29T08:07:00.001-07:002020-03-29T08:12:48.189-07:00<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship March 29, 2020 - A Service of Worship, Reflection & Renewal</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fifth Sunday in Lent March 29, 2020</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Df17_ZnjK0M" target="_blank">Watch the service. Click here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of compassion and grace, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">be with us in times of peril and separation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Be with us in times of spiritual desert and isolation. Be our guide and our salvation and lead us forth into the light once more. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Reading from Isaiah</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Isaiah 40:28-31</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Reading from Matthew</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All things have been handed over to me by my Father; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." </span><br />
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-37163918817785617342020-03-22T06:46:00.000-07:002020-03-22T08:15:23.746-07:00Self Forgiveness Mar 22, 2020<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, March 22 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It may be the hardest of all, but it all begins here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Watch and listen to the on-line Service <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011GXeH2ahQ-Qz1PLLYBd0CWZwsZWyvh1jurGAlJwamRGmIOpWX0dB1GG2uhGUMg-UFPYoX2uWa4LvmDDYRkZCdP1qFlDB0H6kezT7eIdgxhFZglO4CESVOwKAg-Ef4VKi_jtmbTY2Xwx1DUoSaZv7D3ffPAgtC2uD6hBRY_4DE_BamjwR1vGxqA==&c=W1lG4IPrqcADOINHQUBj1kJ8xNmbycJCQGdslKLkhSNeWwD_V8Bz4w==&ch=vwv7thXO4jxePQsIYNYBnE_mU0E_5371352-4tp_BOfw15rwIrjcWA==" target="_blank">Here</a>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Self Forgiveness</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For many – most? – this is hardest of all. Blessed by the Spirit of God we can find incredible strength to forgive in cases of extreme injury and grievous hurt – to ourselves, to others, to God’s world. But too often we find ourselves incapable of extending that same blessing to ourselves. We know all the truth of us and in our failings and brokenness can find ourselves unworthy, irredeemable. Yet the truth is, our ability to live in the grace of forgiveness may well begin here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let’s explore together the need to forgive ourselves, and how we might set ourselves – an others – free!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of all, you know the whole truth of us, yet love us still. Teach us to love and value ourselves, to extend the blessing of forgiveness to ourselves. For only from there can we begin to share that blessing with others. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ----------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 51:1-4,6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Romans 7:14-25</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">14 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. 15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">25 At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-36945869684246476082020-03-15T06:51:00.000-07:002020-03-15T06:51:07.973-07:00Unforgiveness Mar 15,2020Worship on Sunday, March 15 …<br />
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We have the power to forgive, but we also wield a power to imprison, to bind and to stop grace short:<br />
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╬ The Power of Unforgiveness<br />
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Forgiveness has the power to remove shackles and chains, to “set the prisoner free.” God is forgiving and calls forth forgiveness. Jesus models a way of forgiveness, but reveals also the consequences of “un-forgiveness.” If we are unforgiving, Jesus says, we cannot receive forgiveness ourselves. What do we do when we can’t, or won’t, forgive?<br />
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Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. <br />
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Let’s explore together places of unforgiveness and how we might set others, and ourselves, free!<br />
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- Pr. Brad Highum<br />
bhighum@abidinglove.org<br />
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PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------<br />
God of life, teach us and guide us your truth. Teach us the power we wield in forgiving and in failing to forgive. Teach us the healing and blessing that comes from setting others free, as surely as we live in the grace our your forgiveness ourselves. Make us peacemakers in your world. Amen.<br />
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READINGS --------------------------<br />
First Reading: Micah 7:18-20<br />
18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. 19 He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will again show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.<br />
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Psalm 25:11-18<br />
11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.<br />
12 Who are they that fear the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose.<br />
13 They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land.<br />
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.<br />
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.<br />
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.<br />
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.<br />
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Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2<br />
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25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.<br />
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Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15<br />
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7 "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-27471064177495517602020-03-08T06:30:00.000-07:002020-03-11T06:47:37.676-07:00The Way of Forgiveness March 8, 2020Worship on Sunday, March 8 …<br />
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In all things, we can look to Jesus the embodiment of the Godly life. The Way of Jesus is …<br />
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╬ The Way of Forgiveness<br />
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Jesus teaches powerfully about what it is to be separated from God and what it means to receive forgiveness. He reveals that rebellion against the way of God will have consequences. Breaks and breaches will come between people and God and amongst ourselves. Jesus shows us a “way” that leads to forgiving and being forgiven, but requiring both: “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”<br />
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Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.<br />
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The way of forgiveness is simple, but far from easy! Let’s gather and talk about it … and don’t forget: Spring Ahead on March 8!<br />
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- Pr. Brad Highum<br />
bhighum@abidinglove.org<br />
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PRAYER OF THE DAY ---------------l creation, in your Christ you reveal the way of forgiveness as a way of being for your people in daily living. As we ourselves experience your redeeming grace, inspire us and strengthen us to meet the world and the experiences of life with a spirit of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. Amen.<br />
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READINGS ----------------------<br />
First Reading: Daniel 9:4-10<br />
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, "Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. 7 "Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 Open shame, O Lord, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.<br />
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Psalm 130<br />
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.<br />
2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!<br />
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?<br />
4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.<br />
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;<br />
6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.<br />
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.<br />
8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.<br />
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Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43<br />
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."<br />
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Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35<br />
21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."<br />
<br />dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-33847338776244546262020-03-01T06:30:00.000-08:002020-03-01T08:31:40.993-08:00God’s Forgiveness March 1, 2020Worship on Sunday, March 1,2020<br />
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We enter into the season of Lent, and a series focused on “Forgiving and Forgiven.” Today we give thanks for the ultimate source of all forgiveness …<br />
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╬ God’s Forgiveness<br />
God is the well-spring, the ultimate source of all forgiveness. There is a forgiveness in God that may well be beyond our capacity to achieve in our own experience of life in the world. Yet in God, is the wonder of forgiveness, full and complete. This is the One who separates from us anything that might separate us from God, from one another and from God’s world. “As far as east is from west,” says the Psalmist. From a distance, we hear the loving invitation: repent, “turn” and receive the embrace of forgiveness.<br />
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Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.<br />
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This may be the aspect of theology and faithful living with which people struggle the most. Let’s explore it together in the sojourn of Lent!<br />
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- Pr. Brad Highum<br />
bhighum@abidinglove.org<br />
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PRAYER OF THE DAY --------------<br />
God of grace, you invite us to repent of anything that threatens to separate us from your love and goodness. Help us to live in the blessing of your forgiveness and to share it as freely as we receive it from your hand. Amen.<br />
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READINGS -----------------------<br />
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First Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:11-17<br />
11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king's house; all that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the Lord and in his own house he successfully accomplished. 12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house so that my name may be there forever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.<br />
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Psalm 103:6-17<br />
6 The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.<br />
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.<br />
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.<br />
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.<br />
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.<br />
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who revere him;<br />
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.<br />
13 As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.<br />
14 For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust.<br />
15 As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field;<br />
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.<br />
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who revere him, and his righteousness to children's children.<br />
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Second Reading: 1 John 1:5-10<br />
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.<br />
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Gospel: Matthew 9:2-8<br />
2 And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." 3 Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" — he then said to the paralytic — "Stand up, take your bed and go to your home." 7 And he stood up and went to his home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-80360952378959527172020-02-26T17:00:00.000-08:002020-02-29T08:39:24.459-08:00Ash Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ash Wednesday Service</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">February 26, 2020</span></div>
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-2207388363226199262020-02-23T06:30:00.000-08:002020-02-29T08:36:28.436-08:00Transfiguration Feb 23, 2020<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, February 23 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We come to the culmination of the Epiphany revelation: the mountaintop experience of Transfiguration!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Transfiguration</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Transfiguration is a pivotal experience in the lives of Jesus’ disciples, as it is in our own lives and faith journey. It profoundly captures the deeper meanings of our whole celebration of Epiphany light – the revealing, the “making-known” of God. The Gospels describe a mystical, mountaintop experience in which certain of Jesus’ followers see him transfigured before them. In the story, Jesus’ appearance changes dramatically, he looks different to them. In reality, a veil is lifted from their understanding and they see him in a new light. It is an invitation to awaken to the true reality of Christ as the One promised by the prophet – Immanuel, “God with us,” in the flesh. And it is an invitation for them – and for us – to be transformed by that revealed identity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We celebrate on this festival Sunday, even as we prepare ourselves for the journey of Lent!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY --------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Almighty God, the resplendent light of your truth shines from the mountaintop into our hearts. Awaken us in the transfiguration of your Son to the transformation you seek to work in all of us. Illuminate the world with your image, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS --------------------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">29 Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34 but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 99</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Luke 9:28-36</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" — not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. </span><br />
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-58556051320012309442020-02-16T06:30:00.000-08:002020-02-16T06:30:08.094-08:00Teach us to love and to serve Feb 16, 2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, February 16 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The central Epiphany revelation: Jesus proclaims, “I am the way, the truth and the life!” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Way, Truth, Life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Prepare the Way of the Lord!” The early followers of Jesus referred to themselves as “people of the Way.” They identified themselves as disciples of the Christ, the messiah of God. Obeying Christ’s command, they ordered their lives and actions according to “The Way” revealed in the life of the One. They understood that true discipleship is less a set of beliefs than it is a Way of being in the world, a Way characterized by the goodness and love, forgiveness and compassion embodied in Christ … a way and a truth that leads to life!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a blessing to dwell in these Epiphany revelations with all of you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of grace, your Son reveals to us the Way to live as your people in this world. Make your Way our way. Teach us to love and to serve, to forgive and to bless as he does. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 43:15-21</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. 16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 86:8-13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-21</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: John 14:1-12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-43308671120567277872020-02-09T06:30:00.000-08:002020-02-09T06:30:03.154-08:00Way, Truth, Life Feb 9, 2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, February 9 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The “Way, Truth, Life” revealed in Christ involves several extended teachings from Jesus on what it is to live as his disciples. Perhaps none is more widely known than the Sermon on the Mount. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Blessed Are You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jesus shares with his followers profound teachings on blessing. The Beatitudes define what it means to live as the people of God, following the way and the truth revealed in Christ. They speak to values and priorities that often contradict norms of the culture. In the language of the Testament, the “makar” (Grk.) – the “blessed one” – is not the most favored, on whom fortune or circumstance has smiled. Rather, one who is truly blessed has the Kingdom of God foremost at heart, and finds satisfaction in God – independent of the world, regardless of circumstances. This one, Jesus says, knows true blessing. This one is free, indeed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To live in Christ is to live in blessing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY --------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lord, take us to the mountain top. Lead us out, onto a wide and level plain. In all times and circumstances, teach us what it means to live your way. Bless us with your truth, and with the wisdom and courage to embrace it. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">60 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 112:1-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who revere the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Acts 13:44-52</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">44 The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. 46 Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. 49 Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Matthew 5:1-16</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-83387516882084047372020-02-02T05:30:00.000-08:002020-02-02T10:13:03.860-08:00Who Am I? Feb 2, 2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, February 2 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we continue to explore the “Way, Truth, Life” revealed in Christ, we come to that pivotal question of faith:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Who Am I ? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In one of his most profound teachings on discipleship, Jesus asks those with him, “Who do people say that I am?” They respond with the speculation – the “word on the street” – about this one who is creating such controversy. But Jesus follows with an even more challenging question, one that rings in the air in our day and time: “Who do YOU say that I am?” It is on this that everything else depends. How we answer this question determines virtually everything else in the lives we lead. Who will Jesus be for us?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our calling is to seek our true identity in Christ A blessed Epiphany to you all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lord, you call us to name you and proclaim you through the whole of our lives. Help us to hold to the truth of you and to follow as you lead. Help us to live your way in the world. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 and my enemy will say, "I have prevailed"; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Acts 22:6-15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 Paul said, "While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 8 I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.' 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 I asked, 'What am I to do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.' 11 Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus. 12 "A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of by all the Jews living there, 13 came to me; and standing beside me, he said, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' In that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. 14 Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear his own voice; 15 for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Mark 8:27-38</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28 And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."</span><br />
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-78584474001783851322020-01-26T18:13:00.001-08:002020-01-26T18:13:08.980-08:00Branches of the Vine Jan 26, 2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, January 26 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we continue with our Epiphany series – “Way, Truth, Life” – we explore a central teaching about what it is to be rooted in God through God’s Christ. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Branches of the Vine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I am the true vine!” Jesus uses images of vines and vine dressing – resonant in the life of the people – to reveal powerful truths about life in God. They speak to us, as well, about living faithfully today … trusting ourselves to the ministry of the Vine Dresser; abiding in the One who is at once the source and unity of all people and all creation. God’s invitation to us in Christ is simply to remain connected: “Stay connected to the vine,” Jesus says. Remain rooted in the Source of all goodness and grace, and we will have life!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay connected!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of creation, you are the well-spring and source of all life. Help us to discover ourselves rooted and growing in you. Help us to bear fruit as branches of the vine of life, through which you bless all the earth: Jesus Christ, our savior and lord. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Hosea 14:4-7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. 6 His shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon. 7 They shall again live beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom like the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 80:7-15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">11 It sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">14 Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">15 Have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? 4 For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. 9 For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: John 15:1-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">15 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-91863245688958063862020-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:002020-01-19T20:44:54.193-08:00Follow Me Jan 19, 2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, January 19 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we continue with our Epiphany series – “Way, Truth, Life” – we turn our focus to the invitation to discipleship, as Jesus says, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Follow Me “Come and see.” “Follow me.” “Take up your cross daily!” These are invitations from the One who came to reveal to us the fullness of God and to invite us into living witness to the Gospel. Faith is born upon the journey of life. And it grows deeper with each bend in the path. Jesus’ loving invitation is to make the journey together, in the fellowship of believers and in the company of the One God sends to reveal the way, the truth and the life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In waking to the manifestation of God in Christ, we hear our calling!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY -----------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of bright new days, by the power of your Spirit, open our eyes to discover you at the center of the world. Open our minds and hearts to live your grace and compassion. Open our ears to hear your call to Follow. Amen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Deuteronomy 5:28-33</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">28 The Lord heard your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: "I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you; they are right in all that they have spoken. 29 If only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever! 30 Go say to them, 'Return to your tents.' 31 But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, the statutes and the ordinances, that you shall teach them, so that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess." 32 You must therefore be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn to the right or to the left. 33 You must follow exactly the path that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you are to possess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Mark 1:16-20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-74364079320865574282020-01-12T06:30:00.000-08:002020-01-12T06:30:00.511-08:00Way, Truth, Life Jan12,2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, JANUARY 12 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We begin our Epiphany Series … “Way, Truth, Life” with the traditional focus on Jesus’ baptism. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Way, Truth, Life</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the prophets foretold, "They shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us." (Matthew 1:23) Yet Jesus comes among us not only as “God with us” but as one of us, in every respect. He enters fully into human experience. He says that his baptism by John fulfills God’s righteousness in him just as he calls for the fulfillment of God’s righteousness in all people. Today, we embrace our baptismal heritage as the beginning of a path of revelation and spiritual growth … the first step along The Way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year to you all as we enter into the wonder of Epiphany!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY -------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creating God, in the waters of baptism you claim us as your own. Help us each day to renew and refresh ourselves in the water of life. Set us free to live as your people and to proclaim in all the world the gift of life that is your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. 5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 29</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Mark 1:1-13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-45391771240042932342020-01-05T06:30:00.000-08:002020-01-05T06:30:02.356-08:00The Story of the Magi Jan 5,2020<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Worship on Sunday, January 5, 2020!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s the Second Sunday of Christmas and we stand at the threshold of Epiphany! In keeping with tradition, we focus on the story of the Magi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ That the World May Know</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the celebration of the Christmastide continues, we lift our eyes to the greater work God is doing in making known the Incarnate One who has come into the world. In coming to honor the one born king, dignitaries from outside the tradition reveal to us the breadth of God’s vision: that from humble beginnings the world may come to know God’s Christ, and through him the One God, Lord of All.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.” ~ 1 Kings 8:60</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creating God, shine your light this day throughout creation. Let all come from near and far to celebrate the gift of the Christ and to share the good news of life and deliverance he brings. Amen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 96</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 Say among the nations, "The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">13 before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Romans 15:4-13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; 10 and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; 11 and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; 12 and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Matthew 2:2-12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-87022949265969061492020-01-04T18:38:00.000-08:002020-01-04T18:38:41.668-08:00A Service to Celebrate the Life of Bill Brophy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">William "Bill" E. Brophy, 76, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019 at his Austin home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bill was born on September 1, 1943 in New Rochelle, NY to the late Ross A. and Helen Smartt Brophy. He was a Travis HS Rebel and then graduated from Southwest Texas State College with a Business degree and an Air Force commission, separating as a Captain. Bill joined Ryder Truck Leasing in 1969 moving to Arizona and then California. In 1973, he returned to Austin beginning a long career in Real Estate with Nash Phillips/Copus, Keller Williams and Clark Wilson Homes. He was especially proud that he was chosen Salesman of the Year, 1977, Austin Board of Realtors; Sales Manager of the Year, 1981, Nash Phillips/ Copus; as well as Outstanding Lieutenant Governor, 1978-1979, Optimist International. In recent years, he sold Errors and Omissions insurance through REO Advisors, Inc. Bill was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Capital Rod and Gun Club, Manchaca Optimists, Austin Board of Realtors, and Abiding Love Lutheran Church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diana “Di” Veh Brophy; his daughters: Keri Brophy-Martinez and husband Mike and Ande Brophy and Justin Tolar; Grandchildren: Joaquin & Remy Martinez and Lily Tolar; all of Austin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Abiding Love Lutheran Church, 40thAnniversary Celebration.</span><br />
<br />dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-23803035162390221402019-12-29T08:16:00.000-08:002019-12-29T09:38:18.438-08:00Nativity Dec 29<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, December 29 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s the First Sunday of Christmas! It’s time to pull out all the stops and celebrate the Nativity in song!</span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_late_20191229.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the late service </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_20191229.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the early service audio </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/childrens_sermon_20191229.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the Childrens Sermon Audio</a>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Sing, choirs of angels!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">People of faith everywhere gather to celebrate a new day dawning. Emmanuel – God with us – has come into the world to show us a way and a truth and a life that leads to the very heart of God. We come together to raise our voices in songs of praise, to celebrate with the songs that have given meaning to our lives, that express our joy in this day of days, and give voice to our hopes for a future of peace on earth and unity among humankind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Worship the Lord with gladness, come into his presence with singing!” ~ Psalm 100:2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ---------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of light, fill our hearts this day with the power of your Spirit as we welcome the gift of your Christ into the midst of life. Fill us with the peace, hope, love and joy that he brings. Fill us with songs to praise the One who comes to make all things new. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 96:7-13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 Say among the nations, "The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">12 Let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">13 He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith — 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Luke 2:22-40</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too." 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-24124583989295546312019-12-24T16:00:00.000-08:002019-12-24T16:00:07.607-08:00Christmas Eve 2019<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, December 24 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We prepare for the evening Nativity gatherings.</span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_4pm_20191224.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the 4 pm service audio </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_6pm_20191224.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the 6 pm service audio </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_8pm_20191224.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the 8 pm service audio </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The time of waiting will soon be over. The gift of Christmas is at hand!</span></div>
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-32525517529667133942019-12-18T08:22:00.001-08:002019-12-18T08:22:42.944-08:00Christmas Card Dec. 22<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, December 22 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On this fourth Sunday of Advent – the Sunday of Joy – we marvel at the way the glory of God is being born into the reality of our days, in the humblest of ways! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mixed Blessing leads music presenting a Christmas Card for you. </span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_late_20191222.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the late service audio </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_20191222.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the early service audio </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/childrens_sermon_20191222.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the Childrens Sermon Audio</a>
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-52763843658159309772019-12-15T06:30:00.000-08:002019-12-19T08:17:16.166-08:00Joy - Dec 15,2019<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, December 15 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On this third Sunday of Advent – the Sunday of Joy – we marvel at the way the glory of God is being borne into the reality of our days, in the humblest of ways! CHRISTMAS BONUS: we celebrated baptisms at BOTH services on the 15th!</span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_late_20191215.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the late service </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/service_20191215.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the early service audio </a></span><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/sermon_20191215.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the Sermon Audio</a><br />
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<a href="http://abidinglove.org/mp3/childrens_sermon_20191215.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here to listen to the Childrens Sermon Audio</a>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Glory in Humility!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“All of you must clothe yourselves with humility.” - 1Peter 5:5 The prophet proclaims that the Lord dwells not in rich palaces or elaborate temples, but in a tabernacle, a tent among a people wandering in the wilderness. The angel of God announces that the messiah – the anointed deliverer – is born not in royalty and dynasties of power, but to a lowly, unwed provincial peasant girl. The One God sends comes not to the halls of the high-born, but humbly … born in low estate because there was no room for him in places of wealth, privilege and security. Forever after, the ongoing story of the Incarnation is one of glory shining forth in the humblest of circumstances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where is God calling for his Christ to be born, but in the hearts of you and I !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gracious God, shape our hearts as the humble places wherein the glory of your Christ may be born. With gladness and thanksgiving we prepare a place for him in the midst of life, in the midst of the world, at the center of ourselves. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ---------------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-17</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you." 4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 89:1-4,19-26</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">19 Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">20 I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">21 my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">22 The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">24 My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">25 I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">26 He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Luke 1:26-39</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.</span>dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-31526016554556498932019-12-08T06:30:00.000-08:002019-12-08T06:30:01.218-08:00Tapestry of Light Musical Cantata, Dec 8,2019<span style="font-size: large;">Tapestry of Light: Celtic Christmas Celebration-December 8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Musical Cantata, by Joseph M. Martin, presented by the Abiding Love Music Ministry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, December 8, 8:30 & 11:00 am, Abiding Love Sanctuary</span>
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<br />dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-15446251338213987552019-12-01T06:30:00.000-08:002019-12-03T09:19:01.417-08:00Rend the Heavens Dec 1, 2019<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, December 1 …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Already a new year begins in the life of the church. The Season of Advent has come!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">╬ Rend the Heavens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In times of profound struggle, of turbulence and unrest, a heartfelt plea rises in the prayers of God’s people: in the words of the prophet, “O, that you would rend the heavens and come down!” Throughout the history of the people in relationship with God, God has always been faithful to raise up a deliverer. The clarion call of God’s people once more is for God enter into history, to save us from ourselves and from a world that conspires to separate us from God and from one another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Together, we enter into a time of awakening and preparation!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Pr. Brad Highum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bhighum@abidinglove.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PRAYER OF THE DAY ------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creating God, a new season of life has come. You call us to watchfulness. You call us to prepare. You call us to look forward in hope. Walk with us in these Advent days as we await the One you are sending into the world. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">READINGS ----------------------</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">64 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence — 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil — to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 80:1-7,17-19</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Stir up your might, and come to save us!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gospel: Mark 13:24-37</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."</span><br />
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-57006942728665256392019-11-27T17:50:00.001-08:002019-11-27T17:51:16.653-08:00Thanksgiving Eve Service<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Wednesday, November 27 …</span></div>
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dodadphiliphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596522860224065772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2426564981053617753.post-53217875563742719582019-11-24T06:30:00.001-08:002019-11-24T06:30:05.561-08:00Christ the King Nov 24,2019<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Worship on Sunday, November 24 …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In this Season of Thanksgiving we give thanks for the grace of God that daily enriches and blesses our lives! <br /><br />
The Season of Thanksgiving, and the church year, culminate in Christ the King Sunday! As part of our worship celebration, we will be bringing forward our pledge commitments for 2020 during the Offering.<br />
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╬ Christ the King<br />
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Magi follow a star seeking the birthplace of the one born “king of the Jews.” “Hail, king of the Jews … save yourself!” becomes a taunt of derision. We proclaim him this day “Christ the King” … even as he his crucified between two thieves. Here on the cusp of a new year in the life of the church we once again celebrate “Christ the King.” Yet we come to understand that this is a different kind of king. This King says, “the one who would be ruler of all must become the servant of all.” The one who would “rule over all the kings of the earth,” clothes himself like a household slave and washes feet. And he calls us to do likewise.<br />
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Below are the Prayer of the Day and Readings.<br />
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Today, we proclaim Christ King in our lives, in our community, in our world!<br />
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- Pr. Brad Highum<br />
bhighum@abidinglove.org<br />
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PRAYER OF THE DAY ----------------<br />
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God of all, we proclaim your Son king in a world struggling with oppression and fear, injustice and violence. Keep your Christ ever before us that his light and love might guide us as we seek his rule and reign in our lives, for the healing of the world. Amen.<br />
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READINGS --------------------<br />
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First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14<br />
9 As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 13 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.<br />
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Psalm 93<br />
1 The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved;<br />
2 your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.<br />
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.<br />
4 More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the Lord!<br />
5 Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.<br />
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Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8<br />
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.<br />
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Gospel: Luke 23:33-43<br />
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" 38 There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."</span>
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