Friday, August 3, 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
  • The Seventh Seal and the Six Trumpets

    Revelation 8

    The Apocalypse reveals what the Scriptures everywhere affirm: God comes to judge the earth for its rebellion and sin. Let us stand before the Lord, humble in trembling suspense, in fear and awe, filled with gratefulness and humility for Jesus’ victory on the Cross. It was there he conquered the powers that held us in bondage. It was there he died in our stead, bearing our punishment in his death on the tree. And, it was there we see the Father’s love commended for us in spite of our sin. In light of what is to come, let us then prepare ourselves and everyone we can through prayer and witness for the great day of accounting to come.

    Aware that God’s judgment lies ahead, our attitude must be one of gratefulness and humility as we realize what our Lord Jesus did for us in conquering the powers in order that we may avoid the wrath to come. The judgments of God are about to fall upon the world, and who can stand apart from God’s mercy?

    Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

    ~ Revelation 8.13

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Eternal God our Father, thank you for the gift of your Son and leaving your Spirit here with us; enable us to complete the Great Commission before Jesus comes to judge this world. 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

    Friday: Ezek. 32.17-33.20; Jer. 52.28-30; Ps. 137; 1 Chron. 4.24-5.17



    Lectionary Readings for the Day

    Psalm: Ps. 145.10-18

    OT: 2 Kings 4.42-44

    Gospel: John 6.1-21

    NT: Eph. 3.14-21

    (Click here for all readings)

    Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

  • 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  
    Mighty King and Judge of all, we stand in awe of you, what you did for us on the Cross and your leading us through the Spirit. Enable us to follow you always, giving glory to God in your name. Amen.

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. [2] I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. [3] He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

    ~ Psalm 57.1-3

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    The Heavenly Throne

    Revelation 4



    Book Reading

    Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John

    Our Corporate Disciplines

    Book Discussion: Monday, July 30, 2018