Friday, October 12, 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 Judgment of Babylon

    Revelation 18

    The day of accountability and judgment is set, and nothing can prevent it. In spite of appearances, the wickedness of this present system will be judged directly by the Lord. This ought to provide us with hope and reverence. The Word of God is completely clear that God intends to make an end of war, death, and sin. This world cannot continue on forever; its demise is certain, and this ungodly system of greed, lust, and pride will be put down, with not even a sliver, a speck, a dot of its influence or effect left. The kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. Come out from among the system, and touch nothing unclean, and escape the wrath to come.

    Therefore, followers of the Nazarene, let us place our hope squarely upon the promise of Christ’s return, for we know that evil will not ultimately win. We must keep ourselves free from the stain of the world and its pollutions and corruptions. Jesus will bring judgment upon Babylon the Great, and he will reign.

    After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. [2] And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

    ~ Revelation 18.1-2

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Eternal God our Father, teach us to worship you, knowing that your righteous judgment will one day fall upon this godless and wicked world. The day of judgment is set, and the time of liberation is sure to come. Help us to fear you today. In Christ’s 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

    Friday: Acts 8.1b-9.43



    Lectionary Readings for the Day

    Psalm: Ps. 26

    OT: Job 1.1, 2.1-10

    Gospel: Mark 10.2-16

    NT: Heb. 1.1-4, 2.5-12

    (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  
    Precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, soon and very soon you will return and make all things right and restore the Kingdom on earth. The date of the end of evil’s reign has already been determined. Teach us to hope. We lift up our hearts to you alone this night. In your name, we pray, amen.

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: [2] you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; [3] for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. [4] You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! [5] Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. [6] For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. [7] But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

    ~ Psalm 44.1-7

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    Only two days remain; today and the day of liberation to come.

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    The Coming of Christ

    Revelation 19



    Book Reading

    Lutzer, One Minute after You Die

    Our Corporate Disciplines

    Concert of Prayer: Tuesday, October 9, 2018