Week 17: March 19 - March 25, 2017
{/modal}
Friday, March 24th, 2017
-
When the Messiah Comes John 4.5-42
On one occasion, Jesus and the disciples stopped by Jacob’s well, and tired from walking, Jesus paused for rest around noon. While the disciples went to town to buy food, a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. After asking her for a drink of water, and promising her living water, the startled Samaritan woman asked Jesus for the living water that would enable her to never have to come to the well again. When asked to go get her husband, she declared she had no husband. Jesus agreed, saying that she had had five husbands, excluding the man she was with now, to whom she was not married.
Thinking him to be a prophet, she asked about what the most suitable place for worship might be: Samaria or Jerusalem. Jesus said that a day is coming when neither place would be suitable for the Father, for he who is a spirit would seek those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman said that when the Messiah comes, he will explain everything to us. Jesus declared to the woman, “I who speak to you am he.” With that, the woman left her water jar, ran into the town, and told the people that she had met a man who told her everything she’d ever done, and that he must be the Messiah!The woman was correct in her theology. The Messiah of God, the chosen one, would settle all issues of worship, religion, theology, and duty. Indeed, Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the one who alone can both reveal and explain God’s will and ways to the world. -
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God our Father, we believe and know that with the coming of Jesus of Nazareth into the world, the Messiah has come. We believe, too, that the Kingdom has already been manifest. Although there is much to come, we know that with Christ’s coming into the world, the Messiah of God is here. Thank you for your grace and love, in revealing your Son to us, and opening the door for us to know you. Thank you for sending the Lord to us! In Jesus’ name, 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 DayFriday: 2 Sam. 15-17
Lectionary ReadingsPsalm:Ps. 95
OT:Exod. 17.1-7
Gospel: John 4.5-42
-
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
Lord Jesus, it is now harvest time in this world, the time when we go to the nations of the world and declare that the Messiah has come – you dear Lord, our Savior who alone can forgive and restore and remake our lives. Touch us as you did the Samaritan woman, and help us know the power of your touch in our hearts. In your name we ask this, amen.Affirmation from the Psalms
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. [4] So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. [5] My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, [6] when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; [7] for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. [8] My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.~ Psalm 63.3-8
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
You are the Messiah, the Christ of God, and you have come to save the world. -
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
For God So Loved the World
John 3.1-17
Book ReadingDoriani, Women in Ministry
Church Year Overview
Season of Lent Description
2016-2017 Annual Resources
Return to Annual Index Page