Thursday, January 18, 2018

  • 1 This Week's Theme
  • 2 Preparing Our Hearts
  • 3 Praising Our God
  • 4 Listening to His Voice
  • 5 Responding in Faith
  • 6 Departing to Serve
  • 7 For Your Weekly Journey
  • You Are the King of Israel

    John 1.43-51

    Jesus called his first disciples in Judea, after he had decided to go to Galilee. He called Philip to be his disciple. Philip found Nathanael and told him that they had found the person of whom Moses and the Law and the prophets wrote, “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Skeptical of the Messiah’s origins from Nazareth, Nathanael asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied to him: “Come, and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael, he exclaimed, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” When asked by Nathanael how he knew him, Jesus replied he saw him earlier when he sat under a fig tree. Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus promised him a greater basis for his belief in him, including the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Nathanael at this early time understood Jesus of Nazareth to be the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of David’s lineage who would be filled with God’s own Holy Spirit (cf. Isa. 11.1-2). Indeed, Jesus is the promised King of the Kingdom of God come into the world.

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God, and you are the King of Israel. You are the fulfillment of the Davidic king promised by the prophets of old, and in your works we see the works of the Kingdom come to earth. We await your return for the full display and consummation of your Kingdom in this place. Receive our worship today as our Lord and King. In your name we pray, amen.

    Call to Worship  

    Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

  • Te Deum Laudamus

    You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

    You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

    Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

    Gloria Patri

    Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

  • Chronological Reading for the Day

    Thursday: Num. 8.1-9.14; Lev. 1-3



    Lectionary Readings

    Psalm: Ps. 139.1-6, 13-18

    OT: 1 Sam. 3.1-20

    Gospel: John 1.43-51

    NT: 1 Cor. 6.12-20

    (Click here for all readings)

  • The Apostles' Creed

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

    *In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

    Prayers of Confession
    Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

    Assurance of Pardon
    Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

    Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

    --Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

    Doxology (and/or closing song)
    Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise Him all creatures here below;
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

  • Benediction  
    Eternal God, thank you for sending your only begotten Son into the world, the One whom you anointed to be King over your kingdom reign on earth. Thank you that he is the head of the Church, has the highest name above all other names, and is the fulfillment of the future King of Israel to come. We yield to his authority, and worship his name. Use us to display his glory, here, where we live and work. In his name, amen.

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. [2] Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.

    ~ Psalm 93.1-2

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    Come and reign in our hearts, in our church, in this place, Lord Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel and the nations!

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    You Are the King of Israel

    John 1.43-51


    Book Reading

    Alcorn, Heaven

On Sunday, December 11, 2011 our first Prison Fellowship graduation was held in CRC Norco. More than 300 inmates came to the service to celebrate and honor the 7 students for the completion of their work!

Then, in January 2013 our next in prison graduation was hosted at Centinela State Prison Biblical Leadership Institute – Yard D, with 8 students graduating.

In April 2013, our largest graduation for any TUMI satellite was held at South Bay Correction Institution – South Bay, Florida. Thirty-four students graduated and celebrated their hard work and accomplishment with family and friends.

In May 2013, CRC Norco hosted its second graduation commencement!

There have been many in prison graduations since those early prison beginnings, and many men and women have been equipped for the work of ministry--inside and outside those walls. We praise God for these fellow laborers in Kingdom work! To God be the glory!