redeemer presbyterian church winston salem,...

2015

REDEEMER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WINSTON SALEM, NC by Joel Littlepage

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INTRODUCTION Common worship and prayer has always been a part of the life of the people of God. In the Scriptures, the Psalms are the most obvious representation of this reality because they function as the hymnbook, daily prayer guide, and liturgical calendar of Israel (i.e. certain Psalms for certain times and occasions throughout the Jewish calendar). The most basic form of this, for us, is on Sunday morning, when we believers gather together to sing common songs, pray common prayers, eat the same Lord’s Supper, and hear the same word preached. Yet, for most strands of Christendom, other times of weekly and daily worship and prayer have been seen as vital and necessary for living a life of discipleship in the local (and global) body. This prayer guide is an entrance into that experience of common prayer and worship. Here you will find a daily “liturgy” for worship that includes Old and New Testament scripture readings, Psalms, prayers, refrains, hymns, and songs. It is an amazingly unifying experience to know that you and your Church family are worshipping together in a common way throughout this season of Advent, whether together or apart. As directors and pastors at Redeemer, we pray that this guide would be an enriching and sanctifying experience for our whole community in this most holy season.

THE HOW-TO’S So how do you use this thing anyway? Each week will start with a brief introduction of our weekly theme and a family devotion (with family activities) to teach and illustrate these themes to our younger children and to experience them together as a family. Next, there will be four suggested songs that accompany the daily liturgies for that week. Each day in the liturgy, there is a time for singing. You are encouraged to sing these songs together acapella, with an instrumentalist, or along with the recordings provided via physical discs and streaming playlists online. After this, you will find the daily prayer liturgies. They begin with a Call to Worship and end with a Benediction, just like our worship services.

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In between those two things, you will find a pause for quiet, an old testament reading, a new testament reading, a “dwelling” time to pause and meditate on the scriptures, prayer prompts, a common weekly prayer based on our themes, songs, psalms, and various other prayers and refrains. If doing this liturgy individually, you are encouraged to go straight through it, taking your time to soak it in. If doing this as a family or a group, it may be best to alternate speaking each element out loud: one person does the call, the next person says the reading, the next person says a refrain, etc. When we practice daily prayer as part of our Pastoral Rule of life, the one who is reading the benediction raises his or her hands and the rest of us put our hands out in a receiving posture (as we do on Sunday morning). Feel free to find what practices work best for you and yours. Find a time in the day (most likely morning, but perhaps lunch or evening for some) where you can give yourselves to this time and not have to rush through it. We encourage you to find others to do this with and not do it alone if at all possible. We, as directors and pastors, are publicizing our daily prayer times and inviting anyone and everyone to join us throughout Advent (and hopefully beyond!). May all of us experience a vibrant communion with the Triune God during this season of Advent, where we enter into anxious longings, sorrowful pain, and unspeakable joy together, waiting for the visitation of our Lord Jesus.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES !! The layout and format of the daily liturgies are inspired by three chief

sources: Seeking God’s Face (Baker/CICW/Faith Alive, ©2013), which is compiled and edited by Phillip Reinders and is the manual of daily prayer that we use as a staff (citations noted with SGF); The Divine Hours (Galilee, 2003), compiled by Phyllis Tickle (citations noted with SGF); and the Book of Common Prayer (citations noted with BCP). The weekly and liturgical themes are inspired by Living the Christian Year (IVP, 2009)

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by Bobby Gross. The scripture readings are from the English Standard Version (©2001, Crossway).

!! Artwork o! Front Cover: Mary Consoles Eve by Caroline Paul (pencil sketch) o! Inside drawing (week 4): Nativity by Caroline Paul (pencil sketch) o! Back Cover (and weeks 1-3): Creation | Battle | Blood and New Light

by Corrie Beck (watercolor). !! Music Resources

o! Streaming Spotify playlist to accompany prayer guide: https://open.spotify.com/user/jlittlepage/playlist/3vXOL4W8n9F8qmTZeSZpGx

o! Waiting Songs by Rain for Roots, a collective of artists in Nashville, TN: https://rainforroots.bandcamp.com/

!! We will also have physical CDs available for purchase outside the sanctuary during Advent.

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Creation by Corrie Beck (watercolor)

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ADVENT – WEEK 1 November 29th - December 5th

A Holy Impatience: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

(Revelation 22:20b)

This is how the story of the Scripture ends: unfinished. That is not to

say that the Bible is deficient, it is to say that things are not yet as they have been promised to be: new heavens, new earth; lions laying down with lambs; swords turned into plowshares; the return of Jesus to come and set all things right; the end of all death. There are still pages of history to be written.

“Advent” means a “coming” or “visitation.” That is exactly what we, as followers of Christ, are waiting for. This waiting frames our experience as Christians in the holy season of Advent. This practice of waiting for things of ultimate concern helps us prioritize life in an age obsessed with the temporality of the now and the new. This is truer in the month of December than in any other month, for our culture’s conception of these Holidays (Holy-days) is largely focused around what one will buy or be given. The Christian conception of this season begins with the realization that what, or who, we really want and need cannot be bought and is not “just a click away,” but must be waited for with patience, submitting to God’s timing, embracing our limits and finitude.

During this season, we rehearse the dramatic plot of scripture, going back in time to revisit the story of God’s creation of the world, its devastating Fall into sin and misery, and His plan to “visit and redeem” his people in the Messiah. In doing so, we find our place within God’s story as a people living in the already and the not yet. We know the Messiah, we know where the Story is going, and so we acutely know how unfinished it really is. So we look and love into a world with a holy impatience, wanting our hearts to mirror the King’s and longing for the earth to mirror His Kingdom.

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FAMILY ACTIVITIES – WEEK 1

DEVOTIONAL: WAITING

!! Light First Candle. !! Waiting for Marshmallows Activity (could be cookies or something else that

is a favorite for your child’s): o! Put out one marshmallow. o! Tell your child/children they can eat the marshmallow but if they can

wait they will get two marshmallows. o! Start the timer o! Wait 1 minute to 5 minutes according to child’s age.

!! Read to your Children:

“Advent is about Jesus coming. He has come and we celebrate that with our manger scenes, right? He has really come! He was really here! He lived among us and brought salvation. (Big word= He saved us from our sins). Now, we are in a season of waiting for Jesus’ second coming. It’s kind of like the two marshmallows. We are waiting for something greater. Not just one marshmallow but two! Actually a million marshmallows- more than we could count. When he returns He will make everything right- every hurt, every bad dream- there will be no sadness, hurt, pain, or sickness. We can’t wait for Him to come and therefore every year we celebrate Advent. We light candles, sing songs, give presents, eat cookies, and say, “Come, Jesus, Come.” Let’s say it everyday when we sit down at our meal this week. “Thank you for coming Jesus. Come again Jesus Come!”

ACTIVITIES

!! Watch the movie Annie and talk about what it was like for Annie to wait for adoption or read Waiting by Kevin Henkes to your kids.

!! As a family, serve in the homeless overflow shelter that Redeemer is hosting or find a way to serve to tangibly serve the poor in our midst.

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Be Still, God Will Fight Your BattlesAfrican American Spiritual

Lead Sheet

Arr. Littlepage

3. Keep waitin', God will fight your battles...4. Keep singin', God will fight your battles...5. I'm a witness, God will fight your battles...

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ADVENT – DAY 1 11/29/15

THE CALL

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

(Psalms 122:1)

QUIET

OT READING

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” (Genesis 1:1–5)

THE GLORIA Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit! As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. World without end. Amen

SONG

Choose one of the suggested songs for this week or sing one of your own choosing.

NT READING Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

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“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God… And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever… He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 21:1–3, 13; 22:5, 20)

DWELLING

Pause at this start of a new week and a new day. Enjoy communion with the living God: Father, Son, and Spirit. Read back over the Scripture and take note of things that jump out at you from the text. Pray freely.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for thankful hearts to the God who, out of His love, created all things from nothing

and for the beauty His creation !! for the poor and hungry who suffer acutely from the Fall of creation !! for a “holy impatience,” anxiously awaiting the Lord’s return and longing to see

His Kingdom come

WEEK ONE PRAYER

Oh Father! We rejoice that our King has come. We celebrate the great promise fulfilled in Christ. But at the same time, it is with a strange disquiet that we live in this world, waiting on promises yet unfulfilled. Grant us holy impatience to live with both realities. Inhabit our imagination with all of your promises as we live in this already-not-yet place. Amen

THE BENEDICTION Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD! (Psalms 27:14)

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ADVENT – DAY 2 11/30/15

THE CALL

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world,

from beginning to end, you are God. (Psalms 90:1-2)

QUIET

OT READING

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them…And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:26–27, 31a)

CONFESSION OF SIN Freely confess your sins, asking the Spirit to reveal them to you.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalms 32:5)

NT READING Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,

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are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17–18)

DWELLING

Remind yourself you are in God’s presence and read again…notice how God might be speaking to you through his Word…let your heart respond to God in prayer…take refreshment in God’s presence. (SGF)

SONG Choose one of the suggested songs for this week or sing one of your own choosing.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for increased spiritual formation: the process of being formed into the image of

Christ from “one degree of glory to another” by the Holy Spirit !! for an increased realization of the dignity of all image-bearers in our city, country,

and world !! for those who do not believe in Christ

WEEK ONE PRAYER Oh Father! We rejoice that our King has come. We celebrate the great promise fulfilled in Christ. But at the same time, it is with a strange disquiet that we live in this world, waiting on promises yet unfulfilled. Grant us holy impatience to live with both realities. Inhabit our imagination with all of your promises as we live in this already-not-yet place. Amen

THE BENEDICTION

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

(Psalms 27:14)

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ADVENT–DAY 3 12/1/15

THE CALL

Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

(Psalms 66:20)

QUIET

OT READING

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” …So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:1, 6–8)


MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

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NT READING

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:9–11)

DWELLING Quiet your heart before God, allow the scripture to stir your imagination and heart. In communion with God, pray through the Word.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for your family and for your city, bruised and broken by the Fall !! for a renewed realization of the love of God that is fueled by the gospel !! for those hiding from the presence of God


THE BENEDICTION


(Psalms 27:14)

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THE CALL

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

(Psalms 40:1)

QUIET

OT READING

But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:9–15 ESV)


NT READING

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not

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a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:10–16)

DWELLING

Read again slowly…find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart…slowly repeat it…pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation…enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior (SGF)

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for nations and government officials !! for retail workers and their families !! for a vibrant prayer life

WEEK ONE PRAYER




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THE CALL

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalms 63:4)

QUIET

OT READING

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. (Genesis 4:8–10 ESV)


THE GLORIA

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit! As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. World without end. Amen

NT READING Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the

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sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:34–39)

DWELLING


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for the proclamation of Christ !! for those suffering from domestic violence !! for the continent of South America

WEEK ONE PRAYER




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THE CALL

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”

(Psalms 40:3)

QUIET

OT READING

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1–3)


CONFESSION OF SIN

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

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NT READING And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” …Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:8–14)

DWELLING Read again, perhaps out loud…how has God’s Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind…pray to God what it is that has moved you today…turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him (SGF).

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for our lives to be a blessing to others and to be servants to all !! for a vivid awareness of our justification by faith !! for immigrants in our land


THE BENEDICTION


(Psalms 27:14)

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THE CALL

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

(Revelation 22:20b–21)

QUIET

OT READING

And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” (Genesis 22:15–18)

SANCTUS Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

SONG


NT READING Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which

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came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void… Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made …Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:16–19, 21-22)

DWELLING

At the close of your week, pause and reflect. How have you seen the Lord at work this past week? What paths of confession and repentance do you need to walk in? Take time now to thank God for his provision and plead with him on behalf of others. Leisurely read back over His word. Pray.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for a renewed faith in the trustworthiness of God !! for the shalom of our city and neighborhoods !! for those who do not receive the gospel

WEEK ONE PRAYER




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Battle by Corrie Beck (watercolor)

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ADVENT – WEEK 2 December 6thth - 12th

A Groaning Creation:

“O Lord, how long?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

For centuries, as we live into the spirit of waiting in the Old Testament, most clearly seen in the Prophetical books, Christians have focused on the pains and horrors of the “not yet” in this season of Advent: injustice, death, illness, racism, poverty, hunger, war, exploitation, oppression, abuse, addiction, tragedy. What are we left to say but “O Lord, how long?” This season of Advent indeed celebrates something wondrous, miraculous, and joyous: The Incarnation of the second person of the Trinity, the only begotten Son of God: Christ Jesus. We should not forget this and discount what God has done for our world in Christ. But we also should not have a dishonest spirituality in this life, where we downplay the pain and horror of living in a broken and rebellious world, where we turn our ears and hearts from those who are crying out in anguish. This week is a time for us to focus in on this brokenness, not only in our own lives but also in the world around us. Maybe that is scary to you. It is hard to enter into the terrain of confession and lament. It sobers us as we go about our days, especially as we experience the profound joys of Advent at the same time. What a difficult mixture! But it is what we are called to do: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep,” (Romans 12:15).

So this is the time for us to listen to the pain of our world and not try to explain it away or ignore it. This is the time for us to cry out to God for change and to use our holy imaginations to create structures in our personal and corporate lives to alleviate or reverse the course of darkness in our world.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL: GROANING & LAMENTING

!! Light Second Candle !! Read:

Goodness, waiting is tough! It’s even harder when hard things are happening. (Share something from your week that has been tough.) Ask your children: What has been hard this week for you? (If this is difficult for them to answer remind them of time when they were sick or were hurt). Read: We talked last week about how when Jesus comes again He will make all things right. But how do we live now. Things are still rough sometimes. We still get sick. We hurt. God has said to come to Him and talk about these hurts! This will comfort us until Jesus returns. How do we do this? Let’s try to fill out this prayer to God together. Father, You are_______. But I feel _________today. ______is really hard. I am really sad/angry/hurt about it. (Circle one). You promise to comfort me. I need you. Your child, _____________________________

ACTIVITIES

!! Pick something from the news to use the above prayer for with your kids. !! Tell your kids God’s people have been saying these prayers for thousands of years.

Read a Psalm with them that was written two thousand years ago! God has always wanted His people to come to Him and talk to Him about their fears and hurts.

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This hymn is in the public domain. You may freely use this score for personal and congregational worship. If you reproduce the score, please credit Hymnary.org as the source.

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Music by Kenny Hutsonand Katy Bowser

© 2007 Velveteen Music (SESAC)/Jiggyfoot Music (SESAC).Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Key For Group Singing

37


THE CALL


(Psalms 122:1)

QUIET

OT READING

The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:1–4)


PROPHETICAL READING

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:3–4)

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

38

NT READING For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:18–25)

DWELLING Pause at this start of a new week and a new day. Enjoy communion with the living God: Father, Son, and Spirit. Read back over the Scripture and take note of things that jump out at you from the text. Pray freely.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for those suffering from violence and oppression !! for those suffering from illness and death !! for a renewed and rejuvenated faith in the goodness of God

WEEK TWO PRAYER Come! Heavenly Father, teach us to groan. Keep our hearts from turning away from the violence, brokenness, and rage that exists in our world. Come! Gracious Spirit, teach us to hope. Keep our hearts attuned to the Son you’ve come to reveal, his mission to heal the broken, bring justice to the oppressed, and forgive all of our sin.

THE BENEDICTION

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

39


THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you… The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” (Genesis 49:8–10)


PSALM OF LAMENT

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death… But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalms 13:1-3, 4-6)

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NT READING

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals…” And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:5–6a, 8-10)

THE DWELLING Remind yourself you are in God’s presence and read again…notice how God might be speaking to you through his Word…let your heart respond to God in prayer…take refreshment in God’s presence. (SGF)

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for those suffering from depression !! for more awareness and creative love as we care for others !! for deep awareness of the Holy Spirit and a life defined by walking in the Spirit


THE BENEDICTION


41


THE CALL


(Psalms 66:20)

QUIET

OT READING

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph…And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves… and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. (Exodus 1:8, 13-14; 2:23-25)


THE GLORIA


NT READING And [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up

42

to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16–21)

THE DWELLING

Quiet your heart before God, allow the scripture to stir your imagination and heart. In communion with God, pray through the Word.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for increased virtue to accompany our faith in this life !! for the proclamation of good news to the poor !! for those trapped in sex trafficking and slavery

WEEK TWO PRAYER

Come! Heavenly Father, teach us to groan. Keep our hearts from turning away from the violence, brokenness, and rage that exists in our world. Come! Gracious Spirit, teach us to hope. Keep our hearts attuned to the Son you’ve come to reveal, his mission to heal the broken, bring justice to the oppressed, and forgive all of our sin.

THE BENEDICTION Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4)

43


THE CALL


(Psalms 40:1)

QUIET

OT READING The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household…Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old…and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it …For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:1–3, 5-7, 12-13)


THE CRY OF THE CHURCH

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon me.

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O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, Grant us your peace. (TDH)

NT READING And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:13–15, 19-20)

THE DWELLING Read again slowly…find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart…slowly repeat it…pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation…enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior (SGF)

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for a deeper communion with the living God !! for those battling mental illness !! for those who work in the retail industry


THE BENEDICTION


45


THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:10–14)


THE GLORIA


46

NT READING

Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. (2 Corinthians 1:7–10)


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for reliance on God in times of despair and for those who are despairing today !! for those who work in healthcare and social services !! for the continent of Asia


THE BENEDICTION


47


THE CALL

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”

(Psalms 40:3)

QUIET

OT READING

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth… “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain… “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” “Honor your father and your mother… “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:1–17 ESV)


THE LORD’S PRAYER

48

NT READING

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit…For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 8:2-4, 13:9–10)

THE DWELLING Read again, perhaps out loud…how has God’s Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind…pray to God what it is that has moved you today…turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him (SGF).

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for a love of God’s Law !! for a wonder at Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf !! for orphans, foster children, and foster parents


THE BENEDICTION


49


THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

And [Moses] erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys. (Exodus 40:33–38)


SANCTUS

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

50

NT READING

And the Word became flesh and dwelt (literally “tabernacled”) among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:14–18, notes mine)

THE DWELLING At the close of your week, pause and reflect. How have you seen the Lord at work this past week? What paths of confession and repentance do you need to walk in? Take time now to thank God for his provision and plead with him on behalf of others. Leisurely read back over His word. Pray.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for an awareness of God’s presence in our lives !! for an ability to speak grace and truth into others’ lives !! for those who are in prison


THE BENEDICTION


51

Blood & New Light by Corrie Beck (watercolor)

52

ADVENT–WEEK 3 December 13th-19th

A Joy Unrivaled (from Weeping to Laughter):

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (Psalms 126:5)

In his autobiography, Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis writes that “All Joy

reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still 'about to be'.” Joy is a sudden glimpse into the wonder of the beautiful story of our world, wherein one feels the significance of being an image-bearer of the divine and is compelled by an insatiable need to worship, giving back thanks to the one who made all things. All people, in every place, have these moments, but the glimpses themselves are not enough to see things as they really are. True joy and the source of it must be revealed to us.

As we move into the later parts of the Old Testament story–apostasy and exile–things begin to get very dark: cast away from the promised Zion, led in chains to a foreign land, violence, weeping, etc. But there is a steady stream of prophecy that begins to arise in the midst of this chaos and evil. It is a revelation of a future joy, both a restoration and transformation of God’s redemptive plan. Remarkably, the prophecy begins to center on a certain One: a deliverer, a king from the lineage of old, a sufferer, a teacher, a shepherd, a messiah, a savior. Peter wrote the Christians in Asia Minor, saying that “It was revealed to [the Prophets] that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look,” (1 Peter 1:10–12).

The coming of the Christ is the story into which angels–heavenly beings in the very presence of God–long to look. This is the secret and hidden joy that has now been made known to us in Christ.

“Joy has dawned upon the earth, promised from creation. God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for every nation…”

53

FAMILY ACTIVITIES–WEEK 3

DEVOTIONAL: WEEPING TO LAUGHTER !! Light Third Candle !! Read:

The last two weeks when we have lit our candles we have talked about waiting and hurts. There is a lot of that in our life. There is also a lot of goodness. Laughter. Fun. Hope. Do you know why? It goes back to the manger scene. Jesus came. When he came, what did he do? Answers could be: Healed people, taught disciples, etc. died on cross…. Yes! He did all those things and in the end He died on the cross for you and me, and the world. He conquered sin and death. Because that is where all of our hurts come from- sin. When sin entered the world- when Adam and Eve disobeyed God- the consequence for all mankind was also death. So sickness, sadness, shame, guilt...all got brought into the world with sin. So now that Jesus came and died, and conquered death and sin, we can have hope, and laughter, and fun! We can celebrate. This week as a family pick a few ways you can celebrate: As you begin- Say. “Thank you Jesus for coming and bringing hope!”

ACTIVITIES

!! Play games! !! Read fun books together. !! Watch movies… !! Invite others over for cookies or a meal. !! Play football outside. !! Go for a walk.

54

Text: Isaac Watts, 1719; based on Psalm 98

Tune: Lowell Mason, 1848

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ANTIOCHwww.hymnary.org/text/joy_to_the_world_the_lord_is_come


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THE CALL


(Psalms 122:1)

QUIET

OT READING

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:3–10 ESV)


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NT READING Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4–7)

DWELLING


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for the peace of God to invade our lives at home, in our vocations, and out in the

world !! for forgiveness and the willingness to extend it to others !! for racial reconciliation

WEEK THREE PRAYER

O Joy above all other loves, O God of all encouragement and comfort, we know and trust that the sufferings of this present life are not worth comparing to the glory that awaits us when we shall see you. Fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Spirit we may abound in hope. Amen.

THE BENEDICTION May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

(Romans 15:13)

62


THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen. (Deuteronomy 18:15)

MORNING & EVENING PSALM Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 113)

SONG


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NT READING

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:1–3)


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for vibrant lives of worship !! for Bible translators, preachers, and teachers !! for those who work in education

WEEK THREE PRAYER O Joy above all other loves, O God of all encouragement and comfort, O humble and meek Christ, we thank you from the depths of who we are that you, though rich beyond all splendor, became poor and took on our flesh, all for love’s sake. Grant us the joy of knowing your divine love and let us rely upon it throughout this day.

THE BENEDICTION

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

(Romans 15:13)

64


THE CALL


(Psalms 66:20)

QUIET

OT READING

Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years. And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you. Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. The LORD your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the LORD your God promised you. Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day. (Joshua 23:2–8)


THE GLORIA

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!

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As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. World without end. Amen

NT READING

And [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” … Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (Matthew 5:2, 6; John 4:31–34)

THE DWELLING Quiet your heart before God, allow the scripture to stir your imagination and heart. In communion with God, pray through the Word.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for mutual submission and love in our relationships !! for mothers !! for strength and courage


THE BENEDICTION


(Romans 15:13)

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THE CALL


(Psalms 40:1)

QUIET

OT READING

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110 years. And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them…In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 2:8–12; 17:6)

THE CRY OF THE CHURCH O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, Grant us your peace. (TDH)

67

SONG


PROPHETICAL READING …His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. (Isaiah 11:3–5)

THE DWELLING


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for an ability to see our own selfishness and repent of it !! for justice and equity in our land !! for spiritual renewal

WEEK THREE PRAYER

O Joy above all other loves, O God of all encouragement and comfort, O humble and meek Christ, we thank you from the depths of who we are that you, though rich beyond all splendor, became poor and took on our flesh, all for love’s sake. Grant us the joy of knowing your divine love and let us rely upon it throughout this day.


(Romans 15:13)

68


THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

Now when [King David] lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? …the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.’” (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 11b-13)


PROPHETICAL READING

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to

69

establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6–7)

THE GLORIA


NT READING The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

THE DWELLING


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done !! for rulers and authorities !! for shalom in our homes, neighborhoods, and world

WEEK THREE PRAYER



(Romans 15:13)

70


THE CALL

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”

(Psalms 40:3)

QUIET

OT READING So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for … And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD…Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe (Judah) to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.” (1 Kings 11:6–13, notes mine)


NT READING Now these things happened to [Israel] as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the

71

way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:11–14)

CONFESSION

Re-read these texts; confess the idols of your heart and your community’s hearts.

ASSURANCE Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14–15)

THE DWELLING

Quiet your heart before God, allow the scripture to stir your imagination and heart. In communion with God, pray through the Word.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for warm gospel-warmed hearts of compassion and charity !! for holiness in the midst of temptation and those trapped in sin !! for widows and orphans

WEEK THREE PRAYER



(Romans 15:13)

72


THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only. Judah also did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight. When he had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. The people of Israel walked in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They did not depart from them, until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had spoken by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their own land to Assyria until this day…In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down…So Judah was taken into exile out of its land. (2 Kings 17:18–23; 25:8-9, 21b)


73

PROPHETICAL READING In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire...In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people…He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:10–12)

THE DWELLING At the close of your week, pause and reflect. How have you seen the Lord at work this past week? What paths of confession and repentance do you need to walk in? Take time now to thank God for his provision and plead with him on behalf of others. Leisurely read back over His word. Pray.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for the Church in all four corners of the earth !! for immigrants and refugees !! for those living in war zones


THE BENEDICTION


(Romans 15:13)

74

Nativity by Caroline Paul (pencil sketch)

75

ADVENT – WEEK 4 December 21st - Christmas

A Quieting Love:

“The Lord is with you! Do not be afraid.” (Luke 1:28, 30)

This is the week where everything tends to get a little crazy: the last minute preparations of gifts and get-togethers, the final trips to the grocery store, traveling across the country, state, city, etc. But then there is something remarkable about Christmas Day itself. The mad rush and panicked frenzy is suddenly stilled. Virtually every store is closed and much of the traffic is off the road. It is a beautiful and rare day of rest for most in our land; one can really feel the the holiness (otherness) of this holy-day. We began this journey together three weeks ago in a spirit of longing: longing for the advent of Christ to come and set all things right. This moved us, two weeks ago, into a time of lament and mourning over the state of the “not yet.” Last week, we moved from weeping to laughter; rejoicing in the great promises of God. Longing–Sorrow–Joy. In our fourth and final week, we come together to hear of the quieting love of God, a love that stills our fears and fills us with the utmost peace. This week, we ponder Simeon and his song (Luke 2:25-32). Simeon was a righteous and devout man who had spent his whole life waiting for the “consolation of Israel;” he was one who knew much about longing and sorrow. Yet it was revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah; what a joyful promise that must have been to him! When the day finally came and he finally got to wrap his old and frail arms around the Incarnate God, he sings a beautiful song: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” May we, like Simeon, behold the one who has come. May we worship him as Emmanuel. May we bask in the peace that is Christmas.

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DEVOTIONAL: LOVE SONG !! Light the Fourth Candle !! Read:

We are so close to Christmas day! This is last candle we will light before Christmas day. Why do you think we light these candles each week? We are reminded through lighting the candles that God brings hope. Darkness can bring fear right? Have you ever felt afraid in the night? Well we light candles to remember that Jesus has conquered the darkness- he has conquered the fears. He has brought light into the darkness and has given us hope. He has loved us SOOOOOOOOOO much because we are His children. In fact everything he did including His suffering on the cross was because He loved us. He will return again because He loves us. You could say God’s Word or Bible is one big love song to us. Helping us remember who He is, who we are, and how much he loves us. Let’s actually listen to a song from God’s Word. It’s His love song to us! *Listen one of the following songs everyday at breakfast, when you are getting dressed, in the car, or playing around your house. Remember God loves you so much. He has come and will come again.

ACTIVITIES

!! Have your children write their own love songs from God. They can use any drum or instrument around the house.

!! Sing a song together as a family or go caroling to a few house to remind them of His love song to them.

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THE CALL


(Psalms 122:1)

QUIET

OT READING

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)




NT READING In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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 father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

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and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered 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 called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her… All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Luke 1:25–38; Matthew 1:22-23)

DWELLING


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for a keen awareness of the Lord’s presence with us, His people !! for quiet, peace, and Sabbath rest in the midst of this busy season !! for the poor and hungry

WEEK FOUR PRAYER

Lord Jesus teach us to sing of you and your coming. Tune our hearts to the lyrics of your love—where we find forgiveness and peace. Arrange our voices to the melody of your ways—where we walk in paths of justice and mercy. Make us a chorus of the kingdom of Heaven.

THE BENEDICTION And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:20b)

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THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

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 on it and spirit to those who walk in it: … “I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:5, 7)

MORNING PSALM “Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” (Psalms 5:1–3)

SONG


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NT READING

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:38–45)


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for vibrant lives of worship that permeates every single day of our week !! for those dealing with infertility and for those grieving miscarriages !! for unwavering trust in the God who fulfills His promises

WEEK FOUR PRAYER Lord Jesus teach us to sing of you and your coming. Tune our hearts to the lyrics of your love—where we find forgiveness and peace. Arrange our voices to the melody of your ways—where we walk in paths of justice and mercy. Make us a chorus of the kingdom of Heaven.

THE BENEDICTION

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

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THE CALL


(Psalms 66:20)

QUIET

OT READING

“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the end of the earth…For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:8–10a, 14-16)


THE GLORIA


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NT READING

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:46–55)

THE DWELLING Quiet your heart before God, allow the scripture to stir your imagination and heart. In communion with God, pray through the Word.

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for those trapped in financial debt and those unemployed !! for the unity of Christ’s body, the Church !! for the sin of pride and the blessing of humility


THE BENEDICTION


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THE CALL


(Psalms 40:1)

QUIET

OT READING “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” … “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me… “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” [Isaiah 40:1–5; Malachi 3:1, 14-15 (the last verses in the Old Testament)]


NT READING

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother

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answered, “No; he shall be called John.” …And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people…”…And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel…. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Luke 1:57–60, 67-68, 76-80; Matthew 3:1–3)

THE DWELLING


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for repentance to be our way of life !! for missionaries and their families !! for those who are elderly and infirm, and those who care for them

WEEK FOUR PRAYER

Lord Jesus teach us to sing of you and your coming. Tune our hearts to the lyrics of your love—where we find forgiveness and peace. Arrange our voices to the melody of your ways—where we walk in paths of justice and mercy. Make us a chorus of the kingdom of Heaven.

THE BENEDICTION “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:20b)

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ADVENT–DAY 26 CHRISTMAS EVE

12/24/15

THE CALL



QUIET

OT READING

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:2–5)


SANCTUS


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NT READING

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. (Luke 2:1–6)


PROMPTED PRAYER !! for the neglected, weak, and downtrodden !! for an anticipation of the coming of Christ into our world !! for those who do not believe in Christ


THE BENEDICTION


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CHRISTMAS DAY 12/25/15

THE CALL

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

(Luke 2:14)

QUIET

OT READING

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)


NT READING

And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the

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angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:7–20)

SANCTUS


THE DWELLING Read again, perhaps out loud…how has God’s Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind…pray to God what it is that has moved you today…turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him (SGF).

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for the joy of the light of Christ to fill our hearts and homes !! for the homeless and lonely, that they would find a home today !! for families: mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers

THE SONG OF SIMEON (FROM LUKE 29-32) Lord, you now have set your servants free to go in peace as you have promised, for these eyes of ours have seen the savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory

to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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CHRISTMASTIDE–DAY 1 12/26/15

(THIS IS THE LAST DAY OF THIS PRAYER GUIDE. PLEASE CONSIDER USING ONE OF THE

RESOURCES LISTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS GUIDE TO CONTINUE IN DAILY PRAYER)

THE CALL

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

(Luke 2:14)

QUIET

NT READING Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1–12)


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PROPHETICAL READING

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end… He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 21:3–6; 22:20–21)

SANCTUS Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

THE DWELLING

Read again, perhaps out loud…how has God’s Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind…pray to God what it is that has moved you today…turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him (SGF).

PROMPTED PRAYER !! for the joy of the light of Christ to fill our hearts and homes !! for the nations of the earth, that all would come to know Christ !! for peace, quiet, and Sabbath rest

THE SONG OF SIMEON (FROM LUKE 2:29-32)

Flip to back cover

Lord, you now have set your servants free to go in peace as you have promised, for these eyes of ours have seen the savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten

the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

-! THE SONG OF SIMEON (FROM LUKE 2:29-32)

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