Worship into the Week- Speak My Words

 

Worship into the Week-

Speak My Words

Deuteronomy 18: 15-22

 An Old Testament prophet had an interesting life. 

  There were called to listen to God  

 and proclaim that truth to the people.

It was too scary for the people to listen to God himself,

so the prophets served as intermediary.

But, the people usually didn't want to hear what

the prophets had to tell them.

It often meant a change in lifestyle or priorities.

 

The section of Scripture also cautions us

 about who we listen to in our world.

The verses ahead of this section talks about the occult, 

and those who followed all sorts of evil practices. 

They stand out as abominations.

Sometimes things in our world appear "not so bad"

 or at least on this side of good.

But, it can be a slippery slope.

We must keep our ears attuned 

to God's good Word.

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Worship into the Week- Repent and Believe

 

Worship into the Week-

Jonah 3:1-5,10

Repent and Believe

I think as I reread this story I was captured with -

"the word of the Lord came to Jonah."

Trying to imagine what that would

 have been like for this man.

How do you escape that? 

What do you put in place to ignore it?

When is it feasible to simply run away from the request?

Perhaps I have thought Jonah's response was pretty foolish.

Then, I am reminded about the fact of my own ignoring,

 failure to "hear, or "about face" movement.

God is willing to go to all lengths to get my attention.

 Disease and failure might be my own wake up call

 to repent and believe.

This certainly ties into Psalm 62:2.

"He alone is may rock and my salvation,

 my fortress;

I shall not be greatly shaken."

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Worship into the Week-Here I am

 

Worship into the Week-

1 Samuel 3: 1-20

The Lord Calls Samuel

Perhaps we might wonder what it is

 like to have the Lord call our name.

I think I too might have thought someone

 in another room was calling out for me.

Nonetheless, it is Samuel's rapid response of 

Here I am! that causes me to notice 

his willingness to respond.

Sometimes the noise- static- of the world is such

 a distraction and I wonder how often I 

miss the Holy Spirit calling out to me.

Notice this!  See this person!

Go here!

Lord, help me be better at

PAYING ATTENTION,

with the help of your 

Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Worship into the Week- The Lord Gives Strength

 

Worship into the Week-

The Baptism of our Lord

Genesis 1:1-5   Psalm 29

From time before the world was created

 our Lord was in charge of

EVERYTHING.

He formed the world and all that is in it.

He lives with me in all the hours of my day-

even in all the hard days,

and hard things.

The funeral of a long time friend today

was blessed with many in attendance 

who sang songs together and worshiped

 the Lord of glory who manages eternity.

This is the Lord who gives strength to His people.

Today in a room full of people, who celebrate

the gift of eternal life, we felt the presence of 

the Holy Spirit Comforter- 

giving strength to His people.

Psalm  29:11

In Memory of Nicholas Henry Grosz, Jr.

July 1, 1940-December 13, 2023

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Worship into the Week- Arise, Shine!!

 

Worship into the Week

Arise, Shine!  Isaiah 60:1

Delivered, Rescued  Psalm 72: 1-15

An Epiphany worship service

 to start the new year.

This is no earthly light.

The glory of the Lord is the center 

of this amazing light.

This light is also for the Gentiles.

This foretells the 

Good News of the coming Messiah.

The Psalm reading reminds us that this Lord 

comes for all the needy, the afflicted, the oppressed.

For we are precious in the sight of the Lord.

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Epiphany Blessings!

The Closing of the Christmas Season.

The Wise Men have arrived.

2024 Epiphany Home Chalk Blessing

Today, Saturday, January 6, 2024 is Epiphany. 

A part of church history is the custom of blessing homes at the New Year. 

A family would hold a short service of prayer to ask God’s blessing

on their dwelling and on all who live, work with and visit them.

Take chalk and mark above the entrance

or on the doorstep of your front door as follows:  

20 + C M B + 24. 

C M B above the door also stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, 

which is Latin for “May Christ Bless this House.

While doing the marking, someone says:

“The magi of old, known as Caspar (mark the C),

… Melchior (mark the M),

… and Balthasar (mark the B)

… followed the star of God’s Son who came to dwell among us

two thousand (mark the 20)

… and twenty-four years ago (mark the 24)

May Christ bless our home (mark the + after the 20)

… and remain with us throughout this coming year (mark the + before the 24). “

Prayer of Blessing

Holy God, you revealed your beloved Son to every nation

by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. 

Make it a place of welcome and peace to all who enter.

Fill us with the light of Christ, so that our concern for others

will reflect your love. We ask this through 

Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

If you wish, you can also read a passage from Scripture

(John 1:1-14 is always good) and/or end with the Lord’s Prayer.

I Love this simple blessing of our home each year.

Thanks to Stacey Crosson for the reminder

and this writeup about

"chalking the door".

 

Moving into 2024

So moving into 2024 has been sorting piles 

and reorganizing and making space

 and making better use of space.

Giving away and Green Drop.

I came across a Keep the Faith project 

with the sentiment above written out 

on a little slip of paper.

 

Our family had been going through

 a particularly rough patch that fall.

God was doing great work.

We just couldn't see it at the time.

Always remember to date 

your notes on the journey.

It is hard to remember all the bumps and detours

 in our spiritual life struggles.

So my prayer for the New Year?

Dear Lord, 

help me to continue to see the new things.

Even when I don't really want the growth and

edges shorn smooth.

Let me trust that you are making all things new.

You will bring this good work begun in me to completion.

 It is YOUR faithfulness that I celebrate.

I thank you in advance for all

 the blessings to come in 2024.

Amen.