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Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31-32; 1 John 4 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this episode for August 23rd, 2025, your Bible Reading Coach, Hunter, guides us through a rich journey in the Scriptures, exploring Jeremiah 31 and 32, followed by First John 4. As we listen to God's promises of restoration, Hunter unpacks the profound declaration of a new covenant—a covenant not written on tablets of stone, but on our very hearts. We also pause with John's letter to consider the nature of true love, the assurance we have as God's children, and the freedom that perfect love brings from fear and shame. Join us for moments of scripture, insight, and heartfelt prayer as we reflect on God's everlasting love, the invitation to live in peace and gratitude, and the challenge to let love—God's own love—shape every part of our daily lives. Whether you're seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God, this episode offers a fresh reminder: you are loved, and God has made a way for you. Let's spend these few moments together, listening and growing in the presence of the One who is love. TODAY'S DEVOTION: A new covenant, a new heart, a new hope. Jeremiah is given a prophecy from the Lord about a coming day—a day when God himself will do something entirely new. God promises to write his covenant, not just on tablets of stone, nor simply in laws and rituals, but deep within his people, written upon their very hearts. The old covenant—well-intentioned, but forever frustrated by human weakness—would give way to something greater. The life that this first covenant called for would finally be lived out in perfection, not by us, but by His Son. Jesus, the spotless Lamb, lived a life of love and obedience, fulfilling what Israel and all of us could not. By his loving sacrifice, he has reconciled us—broken, exhausted, rebellious exiles—back to God. This is God's new work: he has taken the old, hardened heart of Adam and replaced it with a new heart, a heart that desires fellowship, love, and communion with God. Where shame, guilt, and fear once reigned, God plants a new covenant, a new hope, a new person. He does not merely repair us; he remakes us. “I will put my instructions deep within them,” Jeremiah says. “I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” This is not something we accomplish—it is something God has done for us, out of his unending love. The apostle John says it so plainly: “God is love. And all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” God's perfect love has made a way for us to live free—free from condemnation, free from shame, free from fear. As we continue to trust, to abide, and to participate with Him, our lives are gradually transformed. Our love grows more perfect. We begin to live as those who are truly loved, loving others, and living with confidence. Fear loses its grip, because perfect love expels all fear. This good news—the news of a new covenant written on our hearts, of lives made new in love—is for us and for the world. Let us awaken each day to this reality. God's love is not just something we hear about; it has been poured into our hearts, making us new people, with a new purpose and a new hope. That's a prayer I have for my own soul, to live in this love, to participate in it, to let it drive out fear, condemnation, shame, and guilt. I pray that for my family—my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer I have for you, too. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to Pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.   OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kids 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, where every day is a fresh journey through the pages of Scripture. It's August 5th and we're on Day 218 of our adventure together. I'm your host, Hunter—your brother, Bible reading coach, and fellow traveler as we gather from places near and far to warm our hearts by the fires of God's love. In today's episode, we dive into 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 35, and John 7. We'll witness King Josiah's groundbreaking reforms to restore true worship in Israel, the powerful celebration of Passover that hadn't been seen since the time of the judges, and the challenges Josiah faced against powerful nations. Then, we'll turn to the gospel of John and find Jesus at the Festival of Shelters, teaching boldly about living water—the Spirit that he promises to pour out on all who believe. Along the way, Hunter draws out the deeper meaning behind the festival's water-pouring ceremony, connecting it to Jesus' declaration that he is the true source of life and hope. We'll wrap up with heartfelt prayers for God's guidance, mercy, and joy as we step into a new day. So grab your Bible, settle in, and join us as we encounter God's living Word together—and remember, you are loved. No doubt about it. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He is the Source of Living Water. Picture the scene at the festival of shelters—each day, the priest carries water from the pool of Siloam, pours it out upon the altar, and it runs down the temple steps. For seven days, this ritual is repeated, and on the final day, the expectation and hope of the people reach their pinnacle. This act was more than tradition; it was a symbol, a living picture of the Messiah pouring out the Spirit upon God's people, a promise rooted in the Scriptures—“I will pour out water to quench your thirst and irrigate your parched fields… I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your children” (Isaiah 44:3). And in this very moment, Jesus stands and shouts to the crowds: “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me. Anyone who believes in me may come and drink.” It's as if Jesus steps into the very heart of the ceremony and says, All of this points to me. I am the One you've been waiting for. I am the Source of the Living Water the world so desperately needs. The promise, the hope, and the life the ritual anticipated is found in Him—and received by coming to Him, trusting Him, believing. That's the invitation Christ makes to you and to me: to come to the Source, to drink freely, to allow His Spirit—like streams of living water—to flow within us and out of us into a thirsty, longing world. No longer do we look for life in ceremonies or traditions—good as they may be—because the true fulfillment is Christ Himself, the One in whom all God's promises find their “yes.” We don't come to Jesus for fame, for recognition, or for any fleeting thing. His brothers sought notoriety, but Jesus came, not to be applauded, but to do what the Father asked—to seek, to save, and to invite us into the overflowing life He shares with the Father and the Spirit. His heart is to give, to pour out, so that we too would be channels of living water, blessing, hope, and renewal to the world. So, today, let's come to Him who is the Source. Let's drink deeply of the life He freely gives. Let's allow the living water to flow through us—transforming us, refreshing us, and reaching out to others. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us. We are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.   OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Jeremiah's laments have so much in common with the laments found in the Psalms. THey also resonate with the complaints we may hold in our hearts from time to time. Chad guides us through this moving episode with much encouragement. And Hidden Streams introduces a new singer to the podcast; Mikaela Adams, who sings "I Want To Run With The Horses". Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Chad Bird Lyrics to "I Want To Run With The Horses" Jeremiah 12:1-6   The easy road The silver and gold And everything they gather Will be gone     They speak Your name They play the game But You are far from their heart They never draw near   In the blink of an eye In the heat of the fire They fall away from the light forever and ever   (Chorus) But I want to run with the horses I want to run with the horses Carry me in Your hands It's You, O Christ, I need I am sGrasping on to nothing Only You, only You   The land cries out We're losing this race A desolation song  From this barren place   But You will try my heart By Your mercy, set me apart And You will guide my feet To the glory that awaits   In the blink of an eye In the heat of the fire They fall away from the light forever and ever   (Chorus) But I want to run with the horses I want to run with the horses Carry me in Your hands You, O Christ, I need Grasping on to nothing Only You, only You     

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this July 23rd episode, your host Hunter invites listeners from around the globe to gather for day 205 of our journey through the Scriptures. Today's readings include 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38 and 39, Psalm 75, and 1 Peter 2. Join Hunter as he reflects on the story of King Hezekiah's illness and miraculous recovery, the lessons hidden within his encounter with Babylonian envoys, and the call from 1 Peter to crave pure spiritual nourishment for lasting transformation. Alongside thoughtful reflections, heartfelt prayers, and encouragement for real life change, Hunter reminds us to find our hope, comfort, and true life in Christ. Whether you're at home or, like Hunter and Heather, camping along the Oregon coast, take these next 20 minutes to open your heart to God's Word—because you are loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Change requires work. Change of appetites, change of habits. Changing the things we turn to instead of turning from. It's going to take some work, and that's going to take some time. You might be sick and tired of your way of doing things. Maybe you're just exhausted with yourself. If so, Peter tells us right here that getting rid of the things you want to change isn't going to be enough. If we just remove it, when the troubles come, when we're stressed out, we're going to go right back to where we've been and do the things we've done before. No, simply stopping what you're doing doesn't bring about the change that you want. It's not just stopping, no. It will also require starting—craving something new. The answer is never just to get rid of the old, to sweep the cupboards of all the junk food. No. You've got to change your diet and begin craving something altogether different: the pure spiritual milk of God's Word. It requires a total change of diet. We must replace it and not just remove it. We need to assume a childlike heart and crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word. The Word is Christ. To draw from Christ our nourishment, our comfort, our life. Peter says become like a baby in that regard: totally dependent upon him. Peter says if we do that, we will begin to experience change—real change from the inside out. So let's do that. Let's continue to show up here each and every day to train our souls, to partake of God's food, his milk, his bread, to be dependent upon him for our very breath. It's not just about getting rid of things. It's about him—finding our life in him, learning something new altogether as we come to him, the source of our true nourishment and life. And that's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, Heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.   OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Two Overarching 3 Kings Take-Aways God partners with ordinary people (messy) to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Ordinary people are capable of mighty acts when we align our mind, heart and hands with God's. Solomon is Different KingPhysicallyBackground SkillsetWisdomThe Hebrew word for wisdom (hokma) means information + insight. The OT concept of wisdom carries a moral, ethical and an applied skill component. The NT word for wisdom (sophia) points to a practical and spiritual understanding of God's will and applying that knowledge to life. “Knowing the greatest goal in any situation and the best way to achieve it.” Pastor John PiperRemarkable Moment. Ordinary Day.1 Kings 3:16-28 (NIV) 16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. 19 “During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne.” 22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.” But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king. 23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.'” 24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So, they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” 27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” 28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.1 Kings 4:29 (NIV) “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.”Question: What was the genesis of Solomon's wisdom? Answer: Godly advice + a Godly ask.Godly Advice is two-fold. 1 Kings 2:1-4 (NIV) When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.' 1. Be strong, act like a man (NIV)…“show what you are made of” (Message) David is challenging/imploring Solomon to step up to what he was being called into. 2. Observe what the Lord requires. Align your words, will and ways to that of the Lord. It's not possible to lead at this level if you are out of alignment. Out of alignment places an untenable burden – emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical on our shoulders. Alignment is a synergistic position that employs God's power to accomplish His/our joint purposes.Godly Ask. 2 Kings 3:3-15 (NIV) 3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. “I am only a child” Solomon's ask can from a place of self-awareness. All good leadership comes from a place of self-awareness. “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this” Why? Because Solomon's was aligning with the Lord's purpose. He was falling in behind the leadership of YHWY – not asking YWHY to fall in behind his leadership! Is God's wisdom accessible to me? Godly Wisdom is neither secretive or elusive but you can only have it if you go for it! And when you “get it and follow it” there is a reward! 3 essentials to obtaining wisdom. Fear God. Trust God. Ask God. Each step comes with its own sets of rewards.Essential #1 Fear God. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Reverence and Awe are the beginning of wisdom because if we don't hold God in the highest of regard, elevating Him and His counsel above ourselves and others, we won't align our actions with His… simple as that. Proverbs 14:12 (AMP) There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but its end is the way of death. REWARD #1. Proverbs 9:11-12 (NIV) 11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.Essential #2 Trust God. Proverbs 3:1-8 (Charlie Amplified Version) INSTRUCTION 1My son, do not forget my teaching [these aren't secrets], but keep my commands in your heart [keep a tight grip], REWARD 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. INSTRUCTION 3 Let love and faithfulness [hesed] never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart [keep God's hesed front in center of all emotions and decisions]. REWARD 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. INSTRUCTION 5 Trust [rely on, have confidence in] in the Lord with all your heart [emotions] and lean not on your own understanding [what seems]; 6 in all your ways [decisions and movement] submit to him [yield], REWARD and he will make your paths straight. INSTRUCTION 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes [seems]; fear the Lord [be in awe] and shun [turn away/ reject] evil.REWARD 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Essential #3. Ask God. James 1:2-8 (AMP) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame… Reward… and it will be given to him. 3 essentails to obtaining wisdom. Fear God. Elevate God over yourself. Trust God. Elevate His path over other's opinion. Ask God. Elevate God to your first and last ask. “Thou, O Christ, who went tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin, make us strong to overcome the desire to be wise and to be reputed wise by others as ignorant as ourselves. We turn from our wisdom as well from our folly and flee to Thee, the wisdom and the power of God. Amen” (AW Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy pg. 59.) “With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures.” (AW Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy pg. 64.)

July 20, 2025 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA L. BALLIET ORGANIST JAMES ROSS * Please Stand If Able Prelude - Prelude on "What a Friend"-Gordon Young Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship Pastor: Children of God, in Jesus, Love became flesh and moved into the neighborhood. People: We gather to worship Christ, the image of the invisible. Pastor: In Jesus, we meet the fullness of God with no barriers to access. People: We gather to worship Christ, the image of the invisible. Pastor: In Jesus, our separation from God, neighbor, self, and creation has been removed. We are free for divine and loving connection once again. People: We gather to worship Christ, the image of the invisible. Pastor: Children of God, come! Come, let us worship God, whose power makes Love visible to us so that we might reflect Love to the world. People: Come, let us worship Christ, Love who came to dwell among us and within us! * Opening Hymn – “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” #103 **Prayer of Intercession O Christ, your cross speaks both to us and to our world. In your dying for us, You accepted the pain and hurt of the whole of creation. The arms of your cross stretch out Across the broken world in reconciliation. You have made peace with us. Helps us to make peace with you By sharing in your reconciling work. May we recognize your spirit Disturbing and challenging us to care for creation And for the poor who most feel the effects of its abuse. O Christ, the whole of creation groans. Set us free and make us whole. Amen. *Apostles Creed #881 *Glory Be to the Father #70 Children’s Chat Scripture – Colossians 1:15-28 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “Dear Children of God,” Message: “Image of the Invisible” Tithes and Offering Offertory - Largo-Antonio Vivaldi *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “More Love to Thee, O Christ” #453 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “Victory in Jesus” #370 Action Steps and Benediction Reflecting and Sharing Prompt: How have you experienced God’s love and presence when you sing and pray together in this church community? Postlude - Solid Rock-Anna Laura Page The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in memory of our mother's 100 birthday on July 19th by Joyce Minnis and Carolyn Turnbull. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

July 20, 2025 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA L. BALLIET ORGANIST JAMES ROSS * Please Stand If Able Prelude - Prelude on "What a Friend"-Gordon Young Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship Pastor: Children of God, in Jesus, Love became flesh and moved into the neighborhood. People: We gather to worship Christ, the image of the invisible. Pastor: In Jesus, we meet the fullness of God with no barriers to access. People: We gather to worship Christ, the image of the invisible. Pastor: In Jesus, our separation from God, neighbor, self, and creation has been removed. We are free for divine and loving connection once again. People: We gather to worship Christ, the image of the invisible. Pastor: Children of God, come! Come, let us worship God, whose power makes Love visible to us so that we might reflect Love to the world. People: Come, let us worship Christ, Love who came to dwell among us and within us! * Opening Hymn – “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” #103 **Prayer of Intercession O Christ, your cross speaks both to us and to our world. In your dying for us, You accepted the pain and hurt of the whole of creation. The arms of your cross stretch out Across the broken world in reconciliation. You have made peace with us. Helps us to make peace with you By sharing in your reconciling work. May we recognize your spirit Disturbing and challenging us to care for creation And for the poor who most feel the effects of its abuse. O Christ, the whole of creation groans. Set us free and make us whole. Amen. *Apostles Creed #881 *Glory Be to the Father #70 Children’s Chat Scripture – Colossians 1:15-28 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “Dear Children of God,” Message: “Image of the Invisible” Tithes and Offering Offertory - Largo-Antonio Vivaldi *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “More Love to Thee, O Christ” #453 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “Victory in Jesus” #370 Action Steps and Benediction Reflecting and Sharing Prompt: How have you experienced God’s love and presence when you sing and pray together in this church community? Postlude - Solid Rock-Anna Laura Page The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in memory of our mother's 100 birthday on July 19th by Joyce Minnis and Carolyn Turnbull. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

Dr. Arthur Just of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service Concordia Commentary: Luke 1:1-9:50 Concordia Commentary: Luke 9:50-24:53 The post The Hymn, “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” – Dr. Arthur Just, 7/17/25 (1981) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 29-31; James 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, host Hunter guides us through a thoughtful reading of Isaiah chapters 29 to 31 and James chapter 1. Together, we reflect on powerful themes of trust, humility, and transformation. Hunter invites us to consider what it means to truly accept the Word that God has planted in our hearts—a Word that points to Jesus Himself, the living Word with the power to save and transform lives. As we journey through these Scripture passages, we're reminded of the importance of not just hearing God's Word, but letting it shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships. Hunter wraps up with a time of heartfelt prayer, encouraging all of us to walk in God's joy, strength, and love throughout the day ahead. So grab your Bible, settle in, and let's discover together what God is saying to us today. TODAY'S DEVOTION: What is the word that God has planted in your heart? That's the important question James is asking, and one we must truly consider. The apostle James urges us to humbly accept the word that God has planted in our hearts because it has the power to save our souls. So, let's be clear about what that word is. The word that saves and transforms is not our performance or even our own striving—it is the Living Word, our Lord Jesus. Jesus is the One with the power to save your soul, and – as Hunter so clearly reminds us – he's already done it. That is the good news. It's not about what we do. It's about Christ—his life, his saving power, his indwelling presence. This is the true Word with the power we need, both to save and to change us. James reminds us that humbly receiving this gift brings transformation, not only for eternity, but for the here and now. The gospel—the good news of Jesus—has that kind of power. We are invited to look deeply into the “perfect law that sets us free,” to gaze into that mirror and see the origin of our design, the very image of our Creator, and to recognize who we really are in Christ. When we see ourselves through the gospel—when we remember who we are because of the One who lives in us—we find power to overcome, to live newly, to control our tongues as James instructs, and to love those in the world who are most vulnerable. What seemed impossible—self control, selflessness, deep compassion—is now possible, not because of our effort but because of Christ who lives in us and has made us new. So what is the word God has planted in your heart? It is Jesus—and he makes all the difference. Let's remember what we see when we look in that mirror: see him, see what he has done, and see what we have truly become. That's the truth that empowers us to live out this day in his joy, in his power, and in his love. That's the prayer for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family—my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, Heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord. Make my hands ready for mercy, make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. The Lord's Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, where together we journey through Scripture and discover the treasures God has for us each day. In today's episode, Host Hunter invites us into readings from Isaiah chapters 25 through 28 and Hebrews chapter 13, encouraging us to reflect on where we truly find lasting treasure. We'll hear about God's promises of hope in the midst of ruins, His faithfulness to the oppressed, and the remarkable gift of Jesus—who, as Hunter powerfully reminds us, was found “out in the trash heap,” discarded but offering the greatest treasure the world has ever known. Join us as we rest in God's Word, pray together, and remember the deep truth that we are not alone—united as brothers and sisters, loved beyond measure, and called to share that love with the world. Let's encounter perfect peace, real strength, and God's unending grace, together. TODAY'S DEVOTION: One man's trash is another man's treasure. I used to work as a garbage man for the city of Rockledge, Florida, and I can tell you that that's true. Some of the stuff that people threw away, I was sure to collect. It was still good. There was still a lot of life there. There was a treasure. And never has that been more true than in today's reading. We're told not to seek treasure in something new. The treasure we need is not found out there. Verse 9 says so. Do not be attracted by strange new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food which don't help those who follow them. Nor is our treasure to be found in the old. The old rules, the old sacrificial system. The treasures we are looking for can't be found there either. The treasure we are looking for, that we need, that the world is desperate for. The greatest treasure ever given is to be found in the most unlikely places. It's going to be found in the trash heap. In the old system, the sacrifice was made on an altar in the tabernacle, in the most important place in the world. There, the priest would offer a perfect gift, shedding the blood of an animal on the holy place as a sacrifice for sins. Then the trash, the discarded and unused parts would be taken to the trash heap outside the camp where it would be burned up. But outside, in that burning trash heap was something no one saw. It happened to be the most precious gift of all. It was discarded and thrown out like waste. And there's good reason why this sacrifice is being made exactly where it is, in that trash heap. Because the man offering this sacrifice lived his life among the discarded, among the disqualified, among the refuse and the refugees. It was there among them that he came to live and give his life. It was for them that he came to die in order that through his death, he might win for the world the greatest treasure the world has ever known. He has come to offer himself, his life, his presence to all, even the discarded and rejected. Out in the trash heap was a treasure. Verse 12 says: So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. He suffered and died out in the trash heap to make his people holy by means of his blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, there in the landfill, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home. We are looking forward to a home yet to come. Let's continue to offer him praise because he offered us broken ones the greatest treasure ever found. One man's trash is another man's treasure. So let's hold tightly to the treasure of him and experience the transformation that is available to all out there in the trash heap. That's a prayer that I have for my own soul. That's a prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home. Heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to another episode of the Daily Radio Bible with your host, Hunter. Today, on this 15th day of July and day 196 in our journey through the Scriptures, we'll be delving into Isaiah chapters 22–24 and Hebrews chapter 12. Hunter guides us through powerful passages of prophetic warning and hope, exploring themes of God's judgment, His restorative discipline, and the unshakable kingdom we receive through Christ. We'll reflect on the fire of God's love that doesn't destroy, but rather renews and restores us from the inside out—a transformative presence that brings hope and healing. The episode wraps with heartfelt prayers, encouragement to walk in peace and mercy, and a reminder that you—yes, you—are deeply loved by God. So grab your Bible, settle in, and let's journey together in the pages of God's Word. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Our God is a consuming fire. That's what we read in Hebrews today, and it's a truth that can make us pause. What does it mean that God is a consuming fire? Are we to be afraid? Are we to draw back? In the scriptures today, we see that this fire is not one that destroys from the outside, not a fire of judgment that leaves us condemned and hopeless. Instead, it's a fire that works on the inside—a fire that renews, restores, and heals. It forges and makes new. Just think of those two men on the road to Emmaus—when the resurrected Christ walked with them and explained the scriptures, their hearts “burned within them.” It wasn't destruction they felt, but the fire of hope being restored, the fire of God's love revealing Himself. And that is what this consuming fire is about. It's love that loves unto purity, a love that cannot leave us as we are but burns away all that is not love, all that keeps us from knowing Him. It cauterizes, it heals, it cleanses, and it draws us closer to Him. Jesus, our champion, endured the fire of judgment for us, so that we might experience the restoring fire of His presence right now, right in the very core of who we are. So as we come to God's word—each day, in every moment—may we be open to that inner fire, that gentle but powerful work of God, guiding us, correcting us, making us like Him. May we have hearts that burn with His presence, with His correction, with His love. Let's invite Him to burn away everything that isn't His love, to make us new from the inside out. That's my prayer—for myself, for my family, and for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, where we gather each day to journey through the Scriptures and seek the heart of God. In today's episode, host Hunter guides us through Isaiah chapters 8–10, and Hebrews chapter 8, drawing our attention to God's enduring presence, faithfulness, and the promise of a new covenant. We reflect on moments of warning, prophecy, and hope—witnessing both judgment and the dawn of redemption through the coming of a great light. As we move from the ancient struggles of Israel to the beautiful declaration in Hebrews that we have a High Priest in Jesus, Hunter encourages us to see Christ as the true and ultimate point of it all: the One who writes God's laws upon our hearts and invites us into the joy and freedom of life with Him. Join us for scripture, prayer, and a reminder that you are, without a doubt, deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He is the main point. When we look back over the pages of Scripture and consider the prophets, the priests, the kings, all the people and stories—the point to which all of this leads is Jesus. The book of Hebrews, reflecting on all that has come before, tells us plainly: we have a High Priest who is seated in the place of honor at the right hand of the Father. And what's more, this High Priest is not just one who offers sacrifices out of obligation, like those before Him, but one who Himself is the offering—the One who mediates a new covenant, a better covenant, grounded in better promises. What sets Jesus apart is not just what He's done, but what He continues to do. He is our advocate before the Father. The old ways—the law, the sacrifices, the external signs—pointed toward something greater. And now, through Him, God has written His laws not on tablets of stone, but on our very minds and hearts. We are invited not into a distant, law-based relationship, but into participation with Christ Himself—sharing in His kingdom and in His life. Jesus does more than deliver us from guilt and shame; He unshackles us from the power of death and darkness. He gives us, not a set of external rules, but Himself. All the heroes and prophets of Scripture, all the signs and shadows, are fulfilled in Him. The main point, then, is not a doctrine or even a set of principles, but a Person. Jesus. And in His light, we find true life. That is the prayer I have for my own heart today: that I would live in the reality of Christ—the true center and meaning of my story. It's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife and our children, and it's the prayer I have for you. Let us walk this day in the light of Jesus, our High Priest, our Advocate, the One who is the main point of it all. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100-102; Hebrews 5 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this July 8th episode, join your host Hunter as we mark day 188 in our journey of reading through the entire Bible this year. Whether you're a longtime listener or just joining us, you'll find encouragement in our simple practice: reading the Scriptures together each day, with the hope of being transformed by the God who is love. In today's episode, Hunter leads us through Hosea 13 and 14, Psalms 100 and 102, and Hebrews 5 in the New Living Translation. As we encounter warnings and promises in the story of Israel, heartfelt prayers from the Psalms, and teachings about spiritual maturity in Hebrews, Hunter reflects on spiritual dullness and invites us to savor the Word—moving from “milk” to “meat”—so that our desire for God would grow and shape our character in everyday life. We'll wrap up with guided prayers, encouragement at this halfway point in the year, and the reminder that, wherever you find yourself on your Bible reading journey, you are loved. Stick around for a nourishing time in God's Word, honest reflection, and practical encouragement to keep pressing forward! TODAY'S DEVOTION: How's your hearing? That's the question the writer of Hebrews wants us to consider. Are you dull of hearing? Has your discernment slipped? Maybe you're finding that you keep making the same mistakes over and over again, lacking the wisdom you need in the moment. The problem might not just be with your decisions, but with what you're listening to—or perhaps, not listening to. The writer of Hebrews points to a spiritual dullness, a lack of attentiveness to what really matters. There's so much more God wants to say to us, so much more life to be found in him—but spiritual dullness keeps us from hearing it. Sometimes, we're listening to too many things that crowd out God's voice. Sometimes, we've simply lost our appetite for the things that truly nourish us. But there's good news: God has given us a remedy—a way to restore our spiritual hearing. It's found in coming back, again and again, to the pure spiritual milk of his word, desiring it, savoring it, letting it nourish our souls. Peter tells us to crave that spiritual milk so that we can grow up into our salvation. The problem isn't the milk; it's our desire for it. When desire wanes, when our ears are dulled by the noise of the world, our hearts grow hard and our lives lack discernment. But we can, by God's Spirit, learn to savor his word again. And as we do, our taste matures. Desire for the “milk” of God's word grows into a hunger for the “meat”—the deeper things of God, wisdom for life, discernment and maturity. Maturity in Christ isn't about managing sin better or checking more boxes on a pious to-do list. It's about a deepening desire for God himself—a dynamic relationship of trust, dependence, and joy. As we savor his word each day, Jesus, the living Word, meets us. He feeds us on his grace, his mercy, his love—and we become people who can recognize the difference between right and wrong, who can respond to God in the moment. That's true maturity. That's wisdom. That's life fully alive. So come to the word daily. Cry out for it. Savor it. Let your desire be rekindled and let it grow. This is the prayer I have for my own soul. It's the prayer I have for my family—for my wife, my daughters, my son. And it's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.   OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 4-5; Psalm 83; 1 Timothy 2 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode—June 20th, 2025—we journey through Second Kings, chapters 4 and 5, Psalm 83, and First Timothy, chapter 2. Host Hunter guides us through powerful stories of miracles, faith, and God's provision. We'll hear about Elisha's compassion as he brings hope to a struggling widow, restores life to a grieving mother's child, purifies a poisoned meal, and heals the mighty Naaman of leprosy. As we reflect on these acts, we see vivid foreshadowings of Christ—the one true Mediator who brings life and reconciliation. Alongside these narratives, we explore prayers from Psalm 83 and mindful instructions from First Timothy on worship, prayer, and living a godly life. Join us as we open our hearts to what the Spirit is saying, seek God's presence in prayer, and are reminded—no matter where we are or what we face—that we are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: There is only one man who can make things right. The woman of Shunam knew this deep in her soul. In her hour of loss and grief, when her boy had died, she didn't want just anyone—she sought after the man of God. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, or anyone else simply wouldn't do. She believed, against all hope, that somehow this one man could bring her son back to life, could set things right that had gone terribly wrong. And Elisha did something unexpected. He went up to the lifeless boy, stretched himself out face to face, hand to hand, eye to eye over the child. It is as if Elisha was absorbing the death of the boy into himself so that the child could be restored to life. What a powerful image—a man of God bridging the gap between death and life. But this isn't just about one miracle centuries ago. It's a living picture pointing forward to another man who would come and absorb death—not just for one boy, but for the whole world. Jesus, the true Man of God, stepped into our story. He absorbed our sin, our sorrow, our death into himself upon the cross. He defeated death, and with tender care, draws us into his life—face to face, hand to hand, eye to eye. In him, we experience resurrection even now, the beginning of eternal life. Paul, in today's reading, reminds us: “For there is one God and one mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” Jesus stands alone as the One who can bridge the gap, the only One able to make things right between us and God. His resurrection life is offered to us. His victory over death is our hope, our foundation, our future. May God open our eyes to see that death has been defeated. May we recognize the One who stands before us, calling us into a resurrected life—today and always. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift. To bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this episode for June 11th, 2025, join your host Hunter as we continue our journey through the Scriptures together. Today, we're exploring the poetic beauty of Song of Solomon, chapters 5 through 8, and diving into the opening words of Paul's letter to the Philippians. As we read, Hunter invites us to encounter Christ—the living Word—who meets us in the midst of our everyday struggles, joys, and questions. Through the passionate dialogue of Song of Solomon and the encouraging message of Philippians Chapter 1, we're reminded of God's enduring love, the transformative power of His presence, and the promise that He is continually at work in our lives. After the readings, Hunter shares inspiring reflections on God meeting us where we are, offering hope and strength, and leads us through a time of heartfelt prayer. Whether you're new to the podcast or a daily listener, you'll find encouragement and connection as we let the Bible point the way to Jesus together. Grab your Bible, settle in, and let's walk this journey of faith side by side. You are loved—no doubt about it! TODAY'S DEVOTION: TODAY'S DEVOTION: God meets us in the midst of our struggle. Life brings with it many trials, sufferings, and disappointments, but the good news is that God is not distant from us in those places—he is right here, present, working within us even now. Paul reminds us in Philippians that “we are in this struggle together.” He writes of his own hardships, his imprisonment, and the difficulties that have come his way, not as marks of defeat, but as evidence that God is at work in all things. God is not done with us—he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. That's the hope we're given: in the very midst of the chaos and trouble, God is shaping us, completing us, and drawing us close to him. Paul's confidence is that God's presence is active, transforming us from the inside out. Christ in us—the hope and the glory—brings change to our character and fills us with the fruit of salvation. It is here, in our ordinary pains and struggles, that God meets us, not just observing from afar, but walking alongside us and within us. This reality fills Paul with joy, and can fill us with the same joy, no matter what we face. So let us open ourselves to this abiding presence. Allow God's Spirit to meet you right where you are. Let his joy be your strength. Remember, even in the midst of it all, you are not alone—God is in you, working all things toward his good purpose. Let that truth produce joy and hope in you, and give thanks that you are loved and never abandoned by the One who is always with you. That's my prayer for myself. That's my prayer for my family, for my wife and my children, and that's my prayer for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, Shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord make my hands ready for mercy, make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this episode for June 11th, 2025, join your host Hunter as we continue our journey through the Scriptures together. Today, we're exploring the poetic beauty of Song of Solomon, chapters 5 through 8, and diving into the opening words of Paul's letter to the Philippians. As we read, Hunter invites us to encounter Christ—the living Word—who meets us in the midst of our everyday struggles, joys, and questions. Through the passionate dialogue of Song of Solomon and the encouraging message of Philippians Chapter 1, we're reminded of God's enduring love, the transformative power of His presence, and the promise that He is continually at work in our lives. After the readings, Hunter shares inspiring reflections on God meeting us where we are, offering hope and strength, and leads us through a time of heartfelt prayer. Whether you're new to the podcast or a daily listener, you'll find encouragement and connection as we let the Bible point the way to Jesus together. Grab your Bible, settle in, and let's walk this journey of faith side by side. You are loved—no doubt about it! TODAY'S DEVOTION: God meets us in the midst of our struggle. Life brings with it many trials, sufferings, and disappointments, but the good news is that God is not distant from us in those places—he is right here, present, working within us even now. Paul reminds us in Philippians that “we are in this struggle together.” He writes of his own hardships, his imprisonment, and the difficulties that have come his way, not as marks of defeat, but as evidence that God is at work in all things. God is not done with us—he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. That's the hope we're given: in the very midst of the chaos and trouble, God is shaping us, completing us, and drawing us close to him. Paul's confidence is that God's presence is active, transforming us from the inside out. Christ in us—the hope and the glory—brings change to our character and fills us with the fruit of salvation. It is here, in our ordinary pains and struggles, that God meets us, not just observing from afar, but walking alongside us and within us. This reality fills Paul with joy, and can fill us with the same joy, no matter what we face. So let us open ourselves to this abiding presence. Allow God's Spirit to meet you right where you are. Let his joy be your strength. Remember, even in the midst of it all, you are not alone—God is in you, working all things toward his good purpose. Let that truth produce joy and hope in you, and give thanks that you are loved and never abandoned by the One who is always with you. That's my prayer for myself. That's my prayer for my family, for my wife and my children, and that's my prayer for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, Shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord make my hands ready for mercy, make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, host Hunter invites us to journey together through the Scriptures on this 10th day of June. We'll explore the intimate poetry of Song of Solomon, chapters 1 through 4, soaking in rich imagery about love and longing, before turning to Ephesians chapter 6 for Paul's famous exhortation to put on the “armor of God.” As we read, Hunter encourages us to recognize the deep love and grace God pours out on us, reminding us that true strength comes from being loved by God. The episode closes with a time of reflective prayer, asking for God's guidance, protection, and mercy as we walk into a new day, and finishes with the comfort that God is always with us—our Emmanuel. Whether you're starting your day or looking for a moment of peace, this episode is an invitation to be strengthened, encouraged, and reminded that you are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Be strong. Be loved. The strength that you need to resist the enemy's fiery attacks comes from God. It's not from us, after all. The armor that He bequeaths to us—the helmet, the shield, the shoes, the sword, the breastplate—all of it is a gift from a loving God. So put on that loving armor and be strong. Paul tells us to be strong, but listen carefully to his final words: be loved. Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God's grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. So how are we to be strong? We do that by being loved. By putting on the loving armor of our Lord, and resting in the eternal grace and embrace that is ours in Christ. God's grace has been eternally poured out on us. Yes, put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of God's righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit. These are loving gifts from a loving God, meant to guard us and equip us for whatever battles may come. You can be strong because you have been loved. Know this well, and let its truth sink deep into your heart so that you can draw strength from Him. That's a prayer I have for my own soul, for my family—my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's a prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation, shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of Your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And our Lord. Make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing. And in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

June 4, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 19:29-48Daily Lectionary: Numbers 16:23-40; Luke 19:29-48“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes,” (Luke 19:42)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The people of Judea were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of joy, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38). The people were excited because they expected Jesus to bring them peace. But while they were shouting for joy, Jesus was weeping for them. He wept because even though the people were expecting peace, many of them weren't going to get it.Why? Because they didn't know the “things that make for peace.” You see, the Jews were only looking for worldly peace. They were longing for a new king like David, who would free them from Roman oppression. And they had hoped that Jesus was that guy. But He wasn't. At least not in the way they thought. Jesus didn't come to be an earthly king, to rule in an earthly kingdom and bring a worldly type of peace.Jesus came to bring us the “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). That is, peace with God. And just what are the things that make for this peace? The death and resurrection of Jesus, of course! Through Jesus, for the sake of His innocent suffering and death, we are reconciled to our heavenly Father, and we live with the hope of everlasting life in the Father's kingdom. That hope cannot be taken from us, no matter what happens in this life.As Jesus rode into Jerusalem to win that peace for us, He knew that many of the Jews He encountered that day weren't going to receive it. They rejected Him because they were so obsessed with earthly things that they didn't want the peace that He brought.  We've got to be careful that we don't do the same thing. God has given us so many wonderful gifts, such as our families and friends, money, the ability to play sports, and the intelligence to get into a great college. While these can all be great blessings from God, we shouldn't think that these blessings are the source of our peace, at least not true, lasting peace. Sadly, friends can betray us; money can be taken from us. Popularity, looks, and health will all fade away. True peace only comes from Jesus. Thankfully, He wants you to have it, and He offers you what you need to have it. He gives you His Word along with His crucified and risen Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Altar. When you receive the Word and Sacrament in faith, you receive the things that make for peace. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thy work alone, O Christ, Can ease this weight of sin; Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, Can give me peace within. (LSB 567:3)- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

June 3, 2025 Today's Reading: Revelation 22:1-6 (7-11) 12-20Daily Lectionary: Numbers 16:1-22; Luke 19:11-28“No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.” (Revelation 22:3)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When you think about heaven, what are the things you look forward to the most? Is it having your resurrected body? Maybe it's being reunited with your believing family and friends for all eternity. I, for one, am looking forward to that feast of rich food that God promises to Isaiah (Isaiah 25:6)!  Or maybe you look forward to not having the things that will be missing. When St. John was given his vision of heaven, he saw that there was nothing “accursed” there. There won't be anybody in heaven who hates you. You won't have all those terrible thoughts or do or say wicked things because your sinful nature will be gone, along with all other temptations. There won't be any sickness or disease or danger. No sin of any kind!These are certainly all wonderful things to look forward to. But St. John reminds us today that there's one thing (or one Person, rather) in heaven that should be our main hope. “The throne of God and of the Lamb” will be there. God the Father will be there. The Holy Spirit will be there. And Jesus will be there. God isn't some kind of door prize that comes along with heaven; He is what it's all about.Besides, what could be better than basking forever in the presence of the God who made you and loved you so much that He took on your flesh, suffered and died for you, and then came to you in the Word and Sacrament to grant you saving faith? Remember the 1st Commandment? “You shall have no other gods.” Hidden in this commandment is a wonderful promise. When you have the Triune God as your Lord, you have everything you could ever need and more! You don't need any other gods. There is nothing better than being in the gracious presence of God.Thankfully, we don't have to wait until heaven to enjoy the blessings of God's presence! Even now, God comes to us through His Means Of Grace, the Word and Sacraments to bless us. He comes to us to give us everything that we need to join Him in heaven. That would include especially the forgiveness of sins won by Jesus. But God also comes to us to give us the fruits of the Spirit, like patience, strength, repentance, and every Gift that we might need as we wait for the day that God gathers us to heaven.There truly is nothing better than being in God's presence—now and forever!In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Christ, do Thou my soul prepare for that bright home of love. That I may see Thee and adore with all Thy saints above. (LSB 673:6 )- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Hymn “The Head that Once was Crowned with Thorns” TLH 219 Readings:  Isaiah 57:15, Acts 1:1-11, St. Mark 16:14-20 Hymn of the Day: “Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #35, LW 353, TLH 387) Sermon Offertory: "Create in Me…"         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “Draw Us To You” LW 153, TLH 215 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”  LW 149, TLH 212 “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” LW 149 “O Christ, Our Hope” LW 151 --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Ascension-Cover-5-29-2025-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1088420036?share=copy Picture:  Ottheinrich Bible 1430 (II:59) Christ's Ascension Mark 16:15-20

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible with your host, Hunter! In today's episode, Hunter invites us to join him on a journey through the wisdom-packed pages of Proverbs chapters 1–3 and Paul's powerful letter in Romans chapter 7. Together, we reflect on life-changing lessons about wisdom, discipline, and the foundation of true knowledge—the fear of the Lord. As Hunter unpacks the struggle between our desire to do good and the reality of sinful nature, he reminds us that it is through Christ's love and resurrection that we find freedom, purpose, and unity with God. The episode wraps up with heartfelt prayers for guidance, mercy, and a reminder that no matter where we are, we are deeply loved. So grab your Bible, settle in, and let's discover what God has for us today! TODAY'S DEVOTION: He has done it all, and drawn us into his life. Paul, in Romans 7, speaks to the deep longing and inner conflict that so many of us feel. We want to do what is right, but we fail. We strive for goodness but stumble into the same old patterns. We reach for life, but find ourselves tangled in things that lead to frustration or shame. And often, we imagine that if we just tried harder—just obeyed the letter of the law with a little more grit—we could finally be the people God wants us to be. But Paul tells us plainly: the law itself, as good and holy as it is, cannot rescue us. It can show us God's standard, it can reveal where we've missed the mark, but it cannot break the power of sin within us or set us free. So what hope do we have? Paul's answer is clear: our hope is not in our own performance, but in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Listen to Paul's words: "You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ, and now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead." The work has already been done—not by your effort, but by Christ's life, death, and resurrection. He has defeated sin, death, and the grave. He was raised to new life and has swept us up into that life with him. This means that you are not striving for a freedom you don't yet possess. You have been freed, united with Christ, and caught up in the triune love of God. You are not defined by what you lack or by your failures, but by the life and love of the risen Jesus that is now yours—right now, in this day. So now, you are empowered to produce good fruit. Why? Because you are joined to Christ, grafted into his life. That changes everything. Out of this union comes real righteousness, real love, real peace, and healing—not things you have to conjure up through effort, but gifts that grow naturally as you remain in him. Let us live from this place of calm confidence and joyful assurance. Let us walk today as people radically loved by God, equipped by his Spirit, and invited to share his love with the world. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's the prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home, heal the wounds of division, and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Happy Easter! Hello St. Mary Magdalene,  Blessed Good Friday and Happy Easter! How good God is! He allows His heart to be pierced today and the font of grace and mercy flow forth. But this also means that there's room in His pierced heart for each of us! I can't help but think about this during these most sacred days. Christ chooses each of us, Christ chooses you and He makes room for us in His heart so that we might dwell with Him forever. For this we can always give thanks and look to any crucifix with love, gratitude, and hope in the debt that He paid for our salvation. We adore you O Christ, and we praise you! Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.  God bless,  Fr. Chris Visit us: https://www.smarymag.org Support us online: https://membership.faithdirect.net/AZ754

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chron 229; Ps 95; 2 Thess 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to another fresh episode of the Daily Radio Bible! Today, host Hunter guides us through a significant turning point in the biblical narrative as we journey through 1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 29, Psalm 95, and 2 Thessalonians 1. In this episode, we witness King David's final charges to Solomon, Solomon's rise to a firmly established throne, and the outpouring of resources and devotion as preparations are made for the temple of God. We reflect on the importance of faith—you'll hear how our faith prompts us to act, but it is ultimately God's power that accomplishes all things in and through us. Hunter closes with heartfelt prayers, inviting us to participate in God's work today by leaning into His presence and peace. Settle in for encouragement, scriptural insight, and a reminder that you are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Faith prompts, but it is the Son who accomplishes. That's the central theme woven through our readings today, and it's at the heart of what Paul reminds us in Second Thessalonians. We see it played out in the story of David and Solomon—a father prompted by faith to desire the building of a temple for the Lord, but it was not David's power that accomplished it. It would be done through his son, Solomon. God's promise and provision would come, not by David's might, but by the unfolding of God's wisdom and timing through the next generation. In the same way, Paul prays for the church, asking God to give us the power to accomplish all the good things our faith prompts us to do. Our lives as followers of Jesus are marked by this rhythm: faith stirs us with vision, hope, and the desire to walk in God's ways, but it is Christ in us—his power, his wisdom, his strength—that brings it to fulfillment. We participate, but it's his life that empowers, guides, and accomplishes all that truly matters and lasts. This is a freeing truth. Our call is not to strive in our own strength or to anxiously try to measure up. Instead, we learn to abide, to trust, to surrender, knowing that the one who calls us is faithful and he will do it. The Son draws us into his life, and as we walk with him—partnering with his Spirit—the work we are given to do takes on new meaning. Our hearts are formed not by religious performance, but by the mystery of Christ alive in us. What faith prompts, the Son supplies the power to complete. Let's live today attentive to his promptings, but also deeply at rest, knowing the outcome is in his hands. Wherever God calls us—acts of mercy, forgiveness, generosity, courage—it is his life and power that make it possible. May we participate fully, but rest securely in the sufficiency of Christ. That is the prayer I have for my own soul. That is the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that is the prayer I have for you. May it be so. Today's Prayer  Almighty and ever loving God, you have brought us to the light of a new morning. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may walk this day in peace. Guard our steps from temptation. Shield us from the weight of fear and shame, and lead us deeper into the joy of your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Christ, light of the nations, shine in every place where shadows dwell. Call the scattered home. Heal the wounds of division, and gather all people into the communion of your grace. May the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen. And now, Lord, make my hands ready for mercy. Make my eyes quick to see the hurting, my ears open to the cry of the lonely, and my feet swift to bring good news. Let me seek to bless, not to be noticed, to serve, not to be praised, to forgive, not to hold back. For in your way is life, in your mercy is healing, and in your love is the peace this world cannot give. Amen. And now as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

May 4, 2025 Worship Service Groveport UMC, Groveport Ohio To support the ministry of the church, please click here: https://groveportumc.org/give/ OPENING SONGS: “Shout to the Lord” and “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” - #334 WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS OPENING PRAYER: Lord of Life, you meet us where we are, challenge our assumptions, and turn our lives upside down. Remove the scales from our eyes, so we can see the fullness of your love, the beautiful diversity of the people you call us to love, and the joy of sharing your welcome with all. Fill us with your Spirit, so that we may love one another just as our Shepherd loves us. Amen. PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR CANDLES: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” *HYMN “Amazing Grace” - #378 CALL TO WORSHIP: L: Rejoice in the Lord. P: Praise God's holy name. L: Worthy is the Lamb of our praise. P: Worthy is the righteous one of blessing, honor, and glory. L: Rejoice in the Lord. P: Praise God's holy name. HYMN “In Moments Like These” PRAYER OF CONFESSION: We rejoice in the wonder of your resurrection, O Christ, but then tend to sink back into our old ways of thinking, behaving, responding to people's needs. We can dance with the angels and all humankind on Easter Sunday, but the days following the Day of Resurrection cause us to slip back into apathy or despair. Forgive us when we so easily become distracted by our own cares and worries that we ignore the needs of others around us. Forgive us when we forget your power and love for us. Charge us up, O Lord! Set our hearts to dancing! Give us a spirit for rejoicing, willing hearts and hands for helping, voices for praising you forever! AMEN. WORDS OF ASSURANCE FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Corinthians 5:17 OUR TIME OF PRAYER (During our time of prayer, the altar rail is open for all who wish to come forward.) HYMN “Sanctuary” PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD'S PRAYER OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Chancel Choir *DOXOLOGY *PRAYER OF DEDICATION CHILDRENS' MOMENTS: (Children may be dismissed for Jr. Church at this time) SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 9:1-20 SERMON “Can People Change?” HOLY COMMUNION *HYMN “Great is Thy Faithfulness” - #140 *BENEDICTION *SENDING FORTH “Because He Lives” chorus only POSTLUDE “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Order of Service: - Prelude - Psalm 124 (p. 192, Tone 1): Select verses, spoken responsively - Hymn 397 - O Christ, Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Matthew 4:8-10: Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' ” - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 579 - Abide in Grace, Lord Jesus - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Tim Hartwig, President, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Organist)

March 8, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 1 - Psalm 91:9-13; antiphon: Psalm 91:15-16Daily Lectionary: Genesis 3:1-24; Mark 2:1-17“He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Coming up tomorrow is the Temptation of Jesus. We will hear the devil tempt our Savior three times. In one of those temptations, Satan will quote Psalm 91, part of which will be the Introit tomorrow morning. He will argue that Jesus should throw Himself down because the Lord “will command His angels concerning you.” But the devil leaves out what the command will be, skipping forward to just the results. But the command is important. It is “to guard you in all your ways.” Stepping off of the pinnacle of the temple is the epitome of an unguarded way. But ways are more than just a footpath you might take your feet on. The ‘way' in which you live is also meant. That presents us with a problem and Satan with an opportunity. Because we sin. We fall short. We fail when faced with temptation. And for those few short moments where we thought, maybe, that we succeeded, the temptation grows only stronger the next time we face it. Then evil befalls us, and plagues come near our tents.But the devil accidentally points something out to us. This Psalm is about Jesus. Because it's Jesus who treads on the adder. It's Jesus who tramples the young serpent underfoot. Jesus crushes the devil's head, that ancient serpent, while Satan bruises His heel. Jesus' feet nailed to a cross. Crucified to overthrow the accusations of the accuser forever. In doing that, all those sins have been taken away. All those failed temptations have been forgiven. Jesus has become your way, and He's the one who keeps you on His path. He has forgiven you. He has given you repentance. He has given you hope. He has given you resurrection. He has given you eternal life. And now, when temptation's hour comes, you have an advocate. You have Jesus fighting by your side. You don't need to face these things alone. You have Christ, who has overcome your temptation already right here with you. And with Him He brings His Church. You have brothers and sisters in Christ who have also faced those temptations, fallen to those temptations, and have been likewise rescued by Christ. Do not forget their wisdom and experience, for they didn't get through it alone, either. Jesus Christ has overcome temptation for you. He has won life, forgiveness, and salvation for you. And He walks with you even now on your way.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Christ, You walked the road Our wand'ring feet must go. Stay with us through temptation's hour To fight our ancient foe. (LSB 424:5)-Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you. Order Now!

Passage: 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.” (Exodus 16:2-8 ESV) Song: Manna (After All This Time) by Chris Renzema Lyrics: Feels like 40 years since I saw that burning bush And even longer still Since I felt the heat from that flame And if I'm being honest with You Sure hoped there'd be a few More of those along the way But I still believe You're here even in the waiting 'Cause after all these years I still love You And after all these years I'll still praise Your holy name 'Cause even when I've lost my taste for manna It comes from Heaven all the same every day It comes from Heaven all the same Feels like 40 years since I saw You split the sea And even longer still Since You split this heart in me And I don't know why Some days I just get so afraid That meeting You was just a dream So when I'm falling asleep Would You come wake some faith in me 'Cause after all these years I still love You And after all these years I'll still praise Your holy name 'Cause even when I've lost my taste for manna It comes from Heaven all the same (comes from Heaven all the same) Even when I've lost my taste for manna It comes from Heaven all the same every day It comes from Heaven all the same Whether or not I recognize The miracle hidden in the mundane Oh the bread of Heaven's offered either way Prayer: O Lord, have mercy upon us. O Christ, have mercy upon us. O Spirit, have mercy upon us. O God the Father in heaven, we beseech you, hear us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, we beseech you, hear us. O God the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, we beseech you, hear us. Be gracious unto us. Spare us, good Lord. Be gracious unto us. Help us, good Lord. Be gracious unto us. Save us, good Lord, from our sin, from our errors, from all evil. Good Lord, deliver us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen. — Gregory the Great

Gregorian Fraction To The Son @ St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church - Colleyville, TX ~ February 9, 2025

"In order to pass through you victoriously, It is necessary to lean on You, O Christ, And to be always close to You." St. Faustina writes. Listen in as Fr. Joseph Roesch, MIC, reads from this modern spiritual classic. To order a copy of the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, visit ShopMercy.org. Support our Ministries here. 

O Christ our Redeemer, Come. The one who paid the price With your life and death. O Intercessor before the Father's throne To welcome us into our eternal home, come. A sermon on Matthew 25:1-13

January 20, 2025 Today's Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 47:1-14, 21-23; Romans 9:19-33“You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight I in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.”  (Isaiah 62:4)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Come to think of it, this text is probably why Jesus' first miracle took place at a wedding. (We read all about that yesterday.) It's the Bridegroom and Bride stuff, the Ephesians 5 sort of thing that Paul interweaves when he is talking about a man and his wife. It would seem as if you can't talk about marriage without talking about Christ and the Church.And so Jesus wants to show off His Bride to the nations. Her glory He wants to shine before kings and paupers alike. Everyone is going to see her radiance. Everyone is going to know of her beauty as the Lord walks with her hand in hand in front of the whole world.Her righteousness will be unmistakable. But know one thing for certain: her righteousness doesn't come from her. For He found her among the Desolate places, Forsaken by all those around her because of what she had made herself to be. But now, beyond all rational logic, her lot in life has changed. His Delight Is in Her, for He has Married her.And now it is His righteousness that the whole world sees. He rejoices over her because she is no longer dressed in the attire of a lady of the evening, but He has taken His own garment and clothed her with it. Head to toe, she is covered in His glory, the glory of the cross, the glory of sins forgiven, the glory that can only be found in an empty tomb with the only thing still buried inside is Satan and the death that could not kill Him.This is the righteousness that His Bride now wears. And He leads her out before nations and kings that they might know that His righteousness is for them, too. His desire is that they, too, would be His Bride, that they would wear His glory—forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation given freely, given for all.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thou camest to our hall of death, O Christ, to breathe our poisoned air, To drink for us the dark despair That strangled our reluctant breath. How beautiful the feet that trod The road that leads us back to God! How beautiful the feet that ran to bring the great good news to man! (LSB 834:3)-Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Sunday 19th January 2025 AM Service Pre-Service songs1. All the way my Saviour leads me 2. To God be the glory3. I cannot tell why he whom angels worship4. Sing them over again to meAnnouncements Deacon on dutySong leader Misheck Kumwenda Theme: The five Solas - Christ aloneOpening song In Christ alone my hope is foundOpening prayer: Song leaderSecond song: Come ye souls by sin afflicted 383 GH (tune "Come ye sinners poor and needy")Third song O Christ in Thee my soul hath found and found in thee alone 572 GHFourth song Glory in the darkest place - Youth KhoirBible reading Numbers 10Pastoral prayer Elder on dutyHandover song Singing through the Psalms Psalms 130 From deep despair to you I call (tune "Our God our help in ages past")Sermon Pastor Chipita SibaleText: John 16:7-14Title: "The Consolation of the Comforter"Series: So that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (Exposition of the gospel of John)

'About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized, and the voice was heard from the Heavens bearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13 17; Mark 1:9 11; Luke 3:1 22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Chist and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven.' (Great Horologion)   When Thou was baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee. — Troparion of Theophany   'But Christ's descent into the river has also a further significance. When Christ went down into the waters, not only did he carry us down with Him and make us clean, but He also made clean the nature of the waters themselves... The feast of Theophany has thus a cosmic aspect. The fall of the angelic orders, and after it the fall of man, involved the whole universe. All God's creation was thereby warped and disfigured: to use the symbolism of the liturgical texts, the waters were made a "lair of dragons". Christ came on earth to redeem not only man but through man the entire material creation. When He entered the water, besides effecting by anticipation our rebirth in the font, he likewise effected the cleansing of the waters, their transfiguration into an organ of healing and grace.' Bishop Kallistos, "Background and meaning of the Feasts" in the Festal Menaion.   The western feast of Epiphany, also on this day, commemorates not Christ's baptism but the adoration of the Magi.

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. “Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem's home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity.” This beautiful hymn written by Emily Elliott reminds us of what happened that first Christmas morn. The Messiah was born in Bethlehem—just like the Scriptures promised—and yet almost everyone missed it. No one gave up their bed so that pregnant Mary could give birth to the Savior of the world inside a comfortable room. No one else besides Mary, Joseph, and the stable animals were there. Bethlehem was sleeping while the Messiah was born into the world. Can that be said of us as well? Are we asleep to the fact that there's a Savior who loves us and has come for us? Are we making room in our hearts for Him to be our Savior and Lord? Let our prayer this Christmas be, “Come be Lord of my heart, O Christ—there is room for you.” For more, visit www.sharelife.today.

En ce temps de l'avent, nous avançons vers Noël dans une démarche de combattants d'espérance avec Jésus. Cette semaine, notre part de combat c'est d'être davantage disponible pour rencontrer Dieu.Aujourd'hui nous sommes le lundi 2 décembre. Je me tourne intérieurement vers Dieu et je me représente le vent de l'Esprit qui balaie toute la terre, entre dans toutes les habitations, et veut pousser la porte de mon cœur. Je lui demande d'augmenter mon désir de prendre des temps d'arrêt dédiés pour mieux écouter sa parole, rencontrer sa parole. Me voici devant toi Seigneur.. Au nom du père et du fils et du Saint Esprit. AmenNous écoutons le chant “Mendiez” interprété par Celebratio.La lecture de ce jour est tirée du chapitre 8 de l'Evangile selon St Matthieu.En ce temps-là, comme Jésus était entré à Capharnaüm, un centurion s'approcha de lui et le supplia : « Seigneur, mon serviteur est couché, à la maison, paralysé, et il souffre terriblement. » Jésus lui dit : « Je vais aller moi-même le guérir. » Le centurion reprit : « Seigneur, je ne suis pas digne que tu entres sous mon toit, mais dis seulement une parole et mon serviteur sera guéri. Moi-même qui suis soumis à une autorité, j'ai des soldats sous mes ordres ; à l'un, je dis : “Va”, et il va ; à un autre : “Viens”, et il vient, et à mon esclave : “Fais ceci”, et il le fait. » À ces mots, Jésus fut dans l'admiration et dit à ceux qui le suivaient : « Amen, je vous le déclare, chez personne en Israël, je n'ai trouvé une telle foi. Aussi je vous le dis : Beaucoup viendront de l'orient et de l'occident et prendront place avec Abraham, Isaac et Jacob au festin du royaume des Cieux. » Textes liturgiques © AELF, Paris1. Ce centurion est un combattant au sens strict. Le maintien de l'ordre ou la guerre sont ses activités principales. En stratège, il commence par évaluer les forces en présence : la paralysie de son serviteur, les qualités de Jésus et sa propre indignité au regard de la loi juive. Il évalue la situation, sans la juger. Je m'arrête sur cette sagesse du Centurion.2. Le centurion connaît le pouvoir de la parole d'autorité, et d'abord de la sienne auprès de ses subalternes. Il pourrait être enivré de son pouvoir, mais non… La maladie de ce proche qu'il aime ouvre en lui comme une brèche où s'engouffre l'Esprit: il comprend le pouvoir de la parole de Jésus, il comprend que par Jésus, Dieu sauve. Il reçoit l'espérance de la guérison. Je regarde son humble espérance. 3. Jésus admire le centurion, sa sagesse, son sens de la déduction. Probablement que certains jours Jésus m'admire également. Je contemple ce regard aimant du Christ sur chacun de nous, quand nous comprenons combien Dieu veut notre bien.En entendant à nouveau ce texte, je peux regarder Jésus “boire” les paroles de ce centurion .A la fin de ce temps de prière, je m'adresse à Jésus. Qu'ai-je envie de Lui confier ou de Lui demander? O Christ je me tourne vers Toi. Je joins mes prières à celles de mes sœurs et frères chrétiens en récitant : Notre Père, qui es aux cieux,que ton nom soit sanctifié,que ton règne vienne,que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel.Donne-nous aujourd'hui notre pain de ce jour.Pardonne-nous nos offenses,comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés.Et ne nous laisse pas entrer en tentationmais délivre-nous... Chaque jour, retrouvez 12 minutes une méditation guidée pour prier avec un texte de la messe ! A retrouver sur l'application et le site www.prieenchemin.org. Musiques : Musique de Noël instrumentale de Romantique musique interprété par - Musique de Noël instrumentale © Creative Commons Youtube Audio Library ; Mendiez de Celebratio interprété par Celebratio - Dieu de ma joie © Éditions de l'Émmanuel.

Gregorian Fraction To The Son @ St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church - Nashville, TN ~ November 24, 2024 | Hathor 15, 1741

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 411 - Christians, Come, in Sweetest Measures - Genesis 50:15-21: When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, “Thus you shall say to Joseph: ‘I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 415 - I Trust, O Christ, in You Alone: vv. 1, 3 - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Brad Kerkow (Preacher), Micah Smith (Organist)

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 411 - Christians, Come, in Sweetest Measures - Genesis 50:15-21: When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, “Thus you shall say to Joseph: ‘I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 415 - I Trust, O Christ, in You Alone: vv. 1, 3 - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Brad Kerkow (Preacher), Micah Smith (Organist)

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 411 - Christians, Come, in Sweetest Measures - Genesis 50:15-21: When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, “Thus you shall say to Joseph: ‘I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 415 - I Trust, O Christ, in You Alone: vv. 1, 3 - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Rev. Brad Kerkow (Preacher), Micah Smith (Organist)

On October 26, the church commemorates THREE notable Lutheran hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt.   Hold onto your hymnals, friends: this Hymn Sing with Sarah episode is a harmonious hymn fest in triplicate. Hymns featured in this episode include:   “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”  “O Morningstar, How Fair and Bright”  “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”  “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”  “I Will Sing My Maker's Praises” (PDF from CTSFW: ctsfw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LSB-977-I-Will-Sing.pdf) To learn more about these and other beloved hymnwriters, check out Hymnary.org or the monumental Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns from CPH. For readers seeking a more compact treatment, CPH also offers Eternal Anthems: The Story behind Your Favorite Hymns in two volumes.   Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

A homily describing the dreadful Antichrist, his deceitful tactics, and how Christians of the last times can remain faithful to Christ amidst intense pressure. As St. Ephraim says, "I entreat you, brethren, being the least among you, let us not be lax, O Christ-lovers, rather let us strengthen ourselves even more by the power of the Cross. The inevitable contest is at the doors. Let us take up the shield of faith.” This is a reading from "Eschatological Hymns and Homilies" by St. Ephraim the Syrian, p. 117-129

When you speak, do others see evidence of the Spirit's work within you? "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God..." 1 John 4:7-21.In exploring the 'One Another' commands, we're challenged to reflect on how our speech and actions embody God's love. The central message revolves around 1 John 4, reminding us that 'God is love' and that our love for one another is a reflection of His image. This isn't just about Christian niceties, but about allowing God's love to have its complete work in us. We're called to encourage, build up, and spur one another on towards love and good deeds. This isn't passive, but an energetic, shared experience of living out our faith together. The beauty of confession within community is highlighted, not as a burden, but as a pathway to redemption and transformation. As we navigate the complexities of human relationships, we're reminded that the fruit of the Spirit matures within community, shaping how we respond to hurts and frustrations. This message challenges us to show up authentically in our relationships, allowing God's love to be the foundation of our lives and interactions.Reflection Questions:1. When was the last time you used your speech to genuinely uplift someone? How did it impact them?2. Can you think of a time when confession led to healing and stronger relationships within your community?3. Is there someone you need to reconcile with through confession and prayer?4. How can you use your words this week to encourage someone in your church community?Ps Caitlin's LiturgyAccomplish your purposes among us, O God. Tune our hearts to the voice of your Spirit. Wake us to be present to You and to one another in these shared lives. For it is You, O Lord, who have gathered us from our various places and You alone who know our hearts and our needs. Among us are some who arrive anxious, some who are lonely, some who suffer pain or sorrow. May we in our joys find grace to enter the sorrow of others. Among us are some who arrive rejoicing, hearts made light by good news, good health, good anticipation. May we in our sorrows find grace to embrace the joy of others. Let us prize these moments and care for one another deeply for each of us and our relationships to one another are precious and fleeting. Let us prize these moments and care for one another deeply for each of us and our relationships to one another are precious and eternal. Breathe upon our gathering, O Spirit of God. Grant us each a place to humbly receive and to faithfully serve that we might know in this brief gathering a foretaste of that greater communion yet to come. O Father, enlarge our hearts. O Spirit, expand our vision. O Christ, establish your kingdom among us. Be at work even now, O Lord. May your will in us be accomplished. Amen.Further Reading:"Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Peter Scazzero"The Four Loves" by C.S. LewisThank you for joining us. We pray you were blessed.Needing pastoral support? http://flr.ms/ij Want to know how you can give? https://www.dayspring.com.au/giveConnect with us on:https://www.instagram.com/dayspringchurch/https://www.facebook.com/dayspringchurchhttps://www.youtube.com/@DayspringChurchAUListen to Dayspring Worship https://open.spotify.com/artist/331972RySiV4WcoYTTJHeB?si=4b8N7CVQT2ysAeBiMGr1BAhttps://music.apple.com/us/artist/dayspring-worship/1035339614https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCQM5jWUvVAOxpvK7D571Q

Sources:  Andrew of Ceasarea: Commentary on the Apocalypse Bishop Averky, The Epistles and the Apocalypse, Commentary on the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament (Volume III) Fr. Lawrence R. Farley. The Apocalypse of St. John; A Revelation of Love and Power St. Bede.  Explanation of the Apocalypse; Letter of Bede to Eusebius Fr. Thomas Hopko: AFR podcast - A Walk Through the Apocalypse (three parts) Dr. Jeanie Constantinau: Search the Scriptures Live – Series Fr. Stephen De Young; The Whole Counsel of God; Series on Revolution   Oca.org (Rainbow Series) There was a certain hesitation on the part of the early Church to include the book of Revelation in the canonical scriptures of the New Testament. The reason for this was obviously the great difficulty of interpreting the apocalyptic symbols of the book. Nevertheless, since the document carried the name of the apostle John, and since it was inspired by the Holy Spirit for the instruction and edification of the Church, it came to be the last book listed in the Bible, although it is never read liturgically in the Orthodox Church. [Comment on historical reasons why!] It is indeed difficult to interpret the book of Revelation, especially if one is unfamiliar with the images and symbols of the apocalyptic writings of the Bible, that is the Old Testament, and of the Judeo-Christian Tradition. There exists, however, a traditional approach to the interpretation of the book within the Church which offers insight into its meaning for the faithful. The wrong method of interpreting the book of Revelation is to give some sort of exclusive meaning to its many visions, equating them with specific, concrete historical events and persons, and to fail to understand the symbolical significance of the many images which are used by the author following biblical and traditional sources. First of all, the letters to the seven churches have both a historical and a universal meaning. The messages are clear and remain relevant to situations which have always existed in the Church and which exist today. For example, many older churches in all ages of history can he identified with the Church of Ephesus. Those under persecution can be compared with the Church in Smyrna. And not a few—perhaps some in America right now—can be judged with the Church in Laodicea. The seven letters remain forever as “prototypical” of churches that will exist until Christ's kingdom comes. The visions and prophecies of the main body of the book of Revelation present great difficulties, but mostly to those interpreters who would attempt to apply them to one or another historical event or person. If the general vision and prophecy of the book is seen as revealing the correlation between events “in heaven” and events “on earth,” between God and man, between the powers of goodness and the powers of evil, then, though many difficulties obviously remain, some will also immediately disappear. In the book of Revelation, one comes to understand that the Kingdom of God is always over all and before all. One sees as well that the battle between the righteous and the evil is perpetually being waged. There are always the faithful who belong to the Lamb, being crowned and robed by Him for their victories. There are always the “beasts” and the “dragons” which need to be defeated. The “great harlot” and the “great Babylon” are forever to be destroyed. The “heavenly Jerusalem” is perpetually coming, and one day it will come and the final victory will be complete. One notices as well that there is a universality and finality about the symbols and images of the book of Revelation, a meaning to be applied to them which has already been revealed in the scriptures of the Old Testament. Thus, for example, the image of Babylon stands for every society which fights against God, every body of persons united in wickedness and fleshliness. The image of harlotry universally applies as well to all who are corrupted by their passions and lusts, unfaithful to God Who has made them and loves them. The symbolic numerology also remains constant, with the number 666 (13.18), for example, symbolizing total depravity, unlike 7 which is the symbol of fulness; and the number 144,000 (14.3) being the symbol of total completion and the full number of the saved, the result of the multiplication of 12 times 12—the number of the tribes of Israel and the apostles of Christ. Thus, through the images of the book of Revelation, a depth of penetration into universal spiritual realities is disclosed which is greater than any particular earthly reality. The insight into the meaning of the book depends on the inspiration of God and the purity of heart of those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and minds willing and able to understand. In the Orthodox Church, the book of Revelation has great liturgical significance. The worship of the Church has traditionally, quite consciously, been patterned after the divine and eternal realities revealed in this book. The prayer of the Church and its mystical celebration are one with the prayer and celebration of the kingdom of heaven. Thus, in Church, with the angels and saints, through Christ the Word and the Lamb, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the faithful believers of the assembly of the saved offer perpetual adoration to God the Father Almighty. The book of Revelation, although never read in the Orthodox Church, bears witness to the divine reality which is the Church's own very life. [Comment on other reasons!] The Spirit and the Bride [the Church] say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price. “Surely I am coming soon” [says Jesus, the Lord]. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (22.17, 20)   From: https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/new-testament/book-of-revelation  on 9/11/2024 The Last Judgment – The Experience of Prayer and Worship   St. Tikhon's Seminary, Orthodox Daily Prayers (St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, 1982).   Morning Prayers: The Judge will come suddenly and the acts of every man will be revealed; but in the middle of the night we cry with fear: Holy! Holy! Holy! art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us. 6th Prayer, by St. Basil the Great … Grant us to pass through the entire night of this present life with a watchful heart and a sober mind, awaiting the coming of the bright and manifest day of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory to reward each according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and lazy, but alert and roused to action, prepared to enter into His joy and the divine chamber of His glory, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing and indescribable is the delight of those who behold the inexpressible beauty of Thy countenance. For Thou art the true Light which enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation hymns Thee unto ages of ages. Amen. A Midnight Song to the Most Holy Theotokos I am tossed in the tempest of life: direct me to the path of repentance. Deliver me from the eternal flame, from the evil worm, and from hell. Make me not a joy for demons, though I am guilty of many sins. Compline O Christ, give rest to the souls of Thy servants with the saints, where there is no sickness, sorrow or sighing, but everlasting life. Resurrection Tropar, Tone 3 Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm! He has trampled down death by death! He has become the firstborn of the dead! He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted the world great mercy! Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos Guard my wretched soul at the time of my death, driving away the dark forms of the evil demons. Deliver me from eternal torments at the Day of Judgment and reveal me an heir of the inexpressible glory of your Son and our God.   Evening Prayers 4th Prayer, of St. Macarius the Great … Covering me Thyself, protect me from every assault of the enemy through Thy divine Power, inexpressible Love for mankind and Strength. Cleanse, O God, cleanse the multitude of my sins. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me from the snares of the Evil One, and save my passionate soul. When Thou comest in glory, illumine me with the light of Thy countenance. May I fall uncondemned into a sleep free of apparitions. Keep the thoughts of Thy servant untroubled, and keep far from me every satanic activity. Enlighten the reason-endowed eyes of my heart, that I fall not into the sleep of death. Send to me an angel of peace, the guide and guardian of my soul and body, that he may deliver me from my enemies. Then, when I arise from my bed, I shall offer Thee prayers of thanksgiving…   For the Day Lord, exclude me not from Thy heavenly blessings. Lord, deliver me from eternal torments… Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Thy servant, in the book of life, and grant me a good end.… Lord of Heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful, shameful and impure servant, in Thy Kingdom. …   8th Prayer, to our Lord Jesus Christ … Yea, O Lord my Creator, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to Thee and live: grant repentance to me, wretched and unworthy. Snatch me from the jaws of the consuming serpent, its mouth opened to devour me and take me down to hell alive. …   Canon of Repentance Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! When the thrones will be set up for the dread Judgment, the deeds of all men will be recalled. Alas for the sinners who will be sent to torment! Knowing this, my soul, repent of your evil deeds! Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! The righteous shall rejoice, but sinners shall lament. No one will be able to help us at that moment—our deeds will condemn us! Before the end comes, repent of your evil deeds! … Our present path is wide and conducive to pleasures, but bitter will the Last Day be when the soul will part from the body. O man, beware of those pleasures, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. … Contemplate, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the dread judgment of your Creator and God. Threatening angels will seize you, my soul, and lead you to eternal flames. Repent before your death, therefore, crying: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! … Put not your hope in corruptible wealth, my soul, nor in things unjustly gathered. You do not know to whom you will leave it all. Instead, cry out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the unworthy! Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! Remember, my soul, both the eternal life and the Heavenly Kingdom prepared for the saints and the outer darkness and divine wrath prepared for the wicked. Then cry out: O Christ God, have mercy on me, the unworthy! Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! How can I not weep when I think of death? I have seen my brother lying in the tomb without glory and without form. What can I expect? What can I hope? Only grant me, Lord, repentance before the end. (twice) Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! I believe that Thou wilt come to judge the living and the dead, and that everyone will stand in his rank: the old and the young; masters and princes; virgins and priests. Where will I find myself? Therefore, I cry out: grant me, Lord, repentance before the end. … Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! I now turn to you, angels, archangels, and all the heavenly host who stand by the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He deliver my soul from eternal torments. Have mercy on me. O God, have mercy on me! I now weep before you, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets, apostles and hierarchs, and all the elect of Christ: help me at the Judgment, that my soul be saved from the strength of the Enemy. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me! I now lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, desert-dwellers, virgins, righteous ones, and all saints who pray to the Lord for the whole world: may He have mercy on me at the hour of my death. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Help me, Mother of God, for I have great hope in you! Pray to your Son, that when He sits to judge the living and the dead, He may place me at His right hand, even though I am unworthy.   Canon to the Guardian Angel I think of the Dread Day and weep over my evil deeds. How shall I answer the immortal King? Or how shall a prodigal like me dare to look up at the judge? O compassionate Father, only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit: have mercy on me!   PRAYERS IN PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION 1st Prayer, of Saint Basil the Great O Lord Jesus Christ my God, may the communion of Thy most pure and life-creating mysteries not bring me into judgment, nor may I become weak in soul and body by partaking in an unworthy manner, but grant me to receive communion of Thy holy things without condemnation even to my very last breath, and by them to receive communion of the Holy Spirit, provision for the journey of eternal life, and an acceptable answer at Thy dread judgment seat; that I, together with all Thy chosen ones, may also be a partaker of the incorruptible blessings which Thou hast prepared for those who love thee, O Lord, in whom Thou art glorified forever. Amen. … 3rd Prayer, of St. Simeon Metaphrastes Through Thy glorious Ascension Thou didst deify the flesh which Thou didst assume, and placed it on the throne at the Father's right hand. Grant me to receive a place at the right hand with the saved through communion of Thy holy mysteries… Thou hast promised to come again to judge the world in righteousness. Grant that I may go to meet Thee in the clouds, my Judge and Creator, with all Thy saints; that I may glorify and praise Thee without end, together with Thy Father Who is without beginning, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.   5th Prayer, of St. Basil the Great for the correction and grounding of my life, for the increase of virtue and perfection, for the fulfillment of Thy commandments, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the journey of eternal life, for a good and acceptable answer at Thy dread judgment, but not for judgment or condemnation. Amen. Troparia With love hast Thou drawn me, O Christ, and with Thy divine love hast Thou changed me. Burn away my sins with a spiritual fire and satisfy me with joy in Thee, that I may joyfully magnify Thy two comings, O Good One. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the radiance of Thy saints? If I dare to enter the bridal-chamber, my garment accuses me, for it is not a wedding garment, and the angels will bind me and cast me out. Cleanse, O Lord, the filth of my soul and save me, for Thou lovest mankind. And this prayer: O Master Who lovest mankind! O Lord Jesus Christ my God! May these holy things not be to my condemnation, though I am unworthy of them. May they be for the cleansing and sanctification of my soul and body and a pledge of the life and Kingdom that are to come…   PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION Glory to Thee, O God! Glory to Thee, O God! Glory to Thee, O God! … let them be for the healing of soul and body, the repelling of every adversary, the illumining of the eyes of my heart, the peace of my spiritual powers, a faith unashamed, a love unfeigned, the fulfilling of wisdom, the observing of Thy commandments, the receiving of Thy Divine Grace, and the attaining of Thy Kingdom. Preserved by them in Thy holiness, may I always remember Thy Grace and live not for myself alone, but for Thee, our Master and Benefactor. May I pass from this life in the hope of eternal life, and so attain to the everlasting rest, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing, and the gladness of those who behold the goodness of Thy countenance is unending. For Thou art the true desire and the ineffable joy of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, and all creation sings of Thy praise forever. Amen.   Another Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ our God: let Thy holy Body be my eternal life; Thy precious Blood, my remission of sins. Let this Eucharist be my joy, health, and gladness. Make me, a sinner, worthy to stand on the right hand of Thy glory at Thine awesome second Coming, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and of all the saints.   Sacraments Etc.   St. Tikhon's Monastery, trans., The Great Book of Needs: Expanded and Supplemented, vol. I.   Naming on the Eighth Day   …, and that he (she) may be perfected by the dread Mysteries of Thy Christ, so that, having lived according to Thy commandments, and having preserved the seal unbroken, he (she) may receive the blessedness of the Elect in Thy Kingdom: By the grace and love for mankind of Thine Only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy Most-holy, Good and Lifegiving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. [1]   Making of a Catachemen Inscribe him (her) in Thy Book of Life, and unite him (her) to the flock of Thine inheritance Exorcism for He shall come, and shall not tarry, to judge all the earth; and He shall punish thee and thy cooperating host in the fiery Gehenna, consigning thee to outer darkness, where the worm ceases not and the fire is not quenched.   Baptism … that, being planted in the likeness of Thy death through Baptism, he (she) may become a partaker of resurrection; and, preserving the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, and increasing the deposit of grace, he (she) may receive the prize of his (her) high calling, and be numbered with the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.   Chrismation confirm him (her) in the Orthodox Faith; deliver him (her) from the evil one and all his devices; and preserve his (her) soul in purity and righteousness, through the saving fear of Thee, that, in every deed and word, being acceptable unto Thee, he (she) may become a son (daughter) and heir of Thy heavenly Kingdom.   After Prayer … Yes, for now he (she) that is illumined by the rays of grace through spiritual birth, has been given into your arms by me, a sinner: that he (she) that was in darkness, after rebirth, will stand before the Heavenly Father in another age, as pure as today, and, in soul, whiter than snow, from the bath of regeneration. Thus, undefiled and unblemished by the action of the serpent which comes from the flesh, he (she) shall stand before the sincere Judge, Who will render to each according to his deeds. And clearly today, through your lips the cursed satan was cast out and all his activities; and God the Creator of all adopted him (her), who by grace acquired spiritual birth, and was clothed as a member of the Church of Christ with the confession of the True Christian Faith. Thus, all the days of his (her) life let him (her) remain in the One Faith without parting from the Church, and in the grace of adoption by the immutable God. Let him (her) never turn aside to the works of the evil satan, and let him (her) ever stand opposed to him. And, with the help of God he (she) shall be revealed as a mighty destroyer of all his snares, as a soldier of Christ, strengthened by the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit in the war against him. And after such God-pleasing struggles, he (she) shall receive from the Originator and Judge of struggles labor in the Heavenly Kingdom—the great blessedness of life eternal.   Confession (this is not generally read, but is part of the teaching) …. But do not conceal even one sin, not even because of shame, for I also am a man subject to passions, able to fall into similar sins, and I have experience of the weakness of man. And when despising the shame which you shall expose to the One God, through me, you will not be accused of these sins before the Angels of God and before all men at the dread Judgement. But if you hide anything, before me, from the One God, then you will be accused before the universal assembly, and you shall not be delivered from eternal punishment…   Another exhortation for Confession … But abiding in continual repentance for sins, strive to increase good deeds, that, through repentance, you not only be delivered of eternal torment, but also that you may be counted worthy, by God, of unending life for your good work, from whom will always come assistance to you for all your good beginnings, for the performing of good deeds, and mercy and blessing all the days of your life, and that you may be counted worthy to receive in the future age the gift of eternal life.   Weddings/Crowning O God, our God, Who didst come to Cana of Galilee, and didst bless the marriage there: Do Thou bless also these Thy servants, who, by Thy providence, are joined together in the communion of marriage. Bless their comings in and their goings out, replenish their life with good things, and accept their crowns in Thy Kingdom, preserving them spotless, undefiled, and without reproach, unto the ages of ages.   The Office of Holy Oil/Annointing … For Thou didst not create man for destruction, but for the keeping of Thy commandments, and for the inheritance of life incorruptible, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Choir: Amen.   Funeral   St. Tikhon's Monastery, trans., The Great Book of Needs: Expanded and Supplemented, vol. III   BEFORE THE PARTING OF THE SOUL FROM THE BODY  (comfort and protection against terror) The rending of the bonds, the sundering of the natural law that holds the whole fleshly composition together, causes me anguish and unbearable necessity. Glory.… Do thou translate me, O Sovereign Lady, in the sacred and precious arms of the holy Angels, that sheltered by their wings, I not see the impious, foul and dark form of the demons. Now and ever.… O All-pure Chamber of God, count me worthy of the heavenly, supersensual Chamber, and kindle thou my smoldering and dimming light with the holy oil of thy mercy. … Do thou count me worthy to escape the hordes of bodiless barbarians, and rise through the aerial depths and enter into Heaven, that I may glorify thee unto the ages, O holy Theotokos. O thou that gavest birth to the Lord Almighty, when I come to die, do thou banish far from me the commander of the bitter toll-gatherers and ruler of the earth, that I may glorify thee unto the ages, O holy Theotokos. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord. When the last great trumpet sounds at the fearful and dread resurrection of judgment unto all that shall arise, do thou remember me then, O holy Theotokos.   THE OFFICE AT THE DEPARTURE OF THE SOUL FROM THE BODY   [rest, forgiveness, bosom of Abraham, deliverance from death, eternal life, paradise vs hell]   We beseech Thee, O Unoriginate Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Cast not into the bottom of [Hell] the soul that was infected by the plague of the soul-corrupting world, and has passed over unto Thee, the Creator, O God, my Savior. With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant, where sickness is no more, neither sorrow nor sighing, but life everlasting.   In the nourishment of Paradise where the souls of the Righteous who served Thee abide [repeated often], do Thou, O Christ, join with them the soul of Thy servant who is singing: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou.   … Deliver him (her) from eternal torment and the fire of Gehenna, and grant him (her) the participation and delight of Thine eternal good things prepared for them that love Thee...   Matins– rest, forgiveness, eternal life with the blessed   O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death and overthrown the devil, and given life unto Thy world: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, give rest unto the soul of Thy departed servant, N., in a place of brightness, in a place of green pasture, in a place of repose, whence sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. As Thou art a good God and the Lover of Mankind, do Thou pardon every transgression that he (she) has committed, whether by word or deed or thought, for there is no man that lives yet does not sin. For Thou only art without sin; Thy righteousness is righteousness forever, and Thy word is truth.   I am an image of Thine ineffable glory, though I bear the wounds of sin. Take pity on Thy creature, O Master, and cleanse me by Thy loving-kindness. And grant me the desired fatherland, making me again a citizen of Paradise. Refrain:           Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. O Thou Who of old didst fashion me out of nothingness and didst honor me with Thine Image divine, but when I transgressed Thy commandment, didst return me again unto the earth whence I was taken: Raise me up according to Thy Likeness, that I may be restored to my former beauty. Refrain:           Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. Give rest, O God, to Thy servant and establish him (her) in Paradise, where the choirs of the Saints and the Righteous shine like the stars, O Lord. Give rest to Thy servant who has fallen asleep, overlooking all his (her) transgressions. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (To the Holy Trinity) The threefold radiance of the one Godhead let us piously hymn, crying out: Holy art Thou, O Father Who hast no beginning, Co-unoriginate Son and Divine Spirit. Illumine us who serve Thee in faith, and snatch us from the fire eternal. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. (Theotokion) Rejoice, O pure One, who gavest birth to God in the flesh for the salvation of all, and through whom mankind has found salvation. Through thee may we find Paradise, O Theotokos pure and blessed.   In the dread day when Thou shalt come in Thine ineffable glory upon the clouds to judge the whole world, be Thou well-pleased, O Redeemer, that Thy faithful servant whom Thou hast received from the earth may meet thee with brightness.   May Christ give thee rest in the land of the living and open unto thee the gates of Paradise, and declare thee a citizen of the Kingdom. And may He grant thee forgiveness for those things wherein thou hast sinned in life, O thou who lovest Christ. … Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven. Let us give ear unto what the Almighty saith: Woe unto them that seek to behold the terrible day of the Lord! For it is darkness; for all things shall be tried with fire.   The First Epistle to the Thessalonians (Pericope 270—1 Thess. 4:13–17): Brethren, I would not have you to be ignorant concerning those who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so will God bring with Him those also who die in Jesus. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have died. For the Lord Himself, with a shout of command, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet of God, shall come down from Heaven; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.   The Gospel according to John (Pericope 16—John 5:24–30): The Lord said to the Jews that came unto Him: “Verily, verily I say unto you, he that hears My Word and believes in Him that sent Me, has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but passes from death unto life. Verily, verily I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so has He given to the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth—they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of Mine own Self do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, for I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father Who has sent Me.”   The Last Kiss. When the soul is about to be carried away from the body with violence by dread Angels, it forgets all kinsmen and acquaintances and is troubled concerning standing before the tribunal that is to come, that shall pass judgment upon vain things and much-toiling flesh. Then, entreating the Judge, let us all pray that the Lord will forgive him (her) the things that he (she) has done.   Save them that put their trust in thee, O Mother of the Sun that setteth not, O Begetter of God. With thy prayers entreat the Most-good God, we pray, that He will give rest unto him (her) that now has been taken away, where the souls of the Righteous repose. Show him (her) to be an heir of divine good things, in the courts of the Righteous, unto memory eternal, O all-undefiled One. Glory … (TONE 6): Beholding me voiceless and deprived of breath, weep for me, O brethren and friends, kinsmen and acquaintances. For yesterday I conversed with you, and suddenly the dread hour of death came upon me. But come, all you that love me, and kiss me with the last kiss. For no more will I walk with you or converse with you. For I depart unto the Judge with Whom there is no respect of persons. For slave and master stand together before Him, king and warrior, rich and poor, in equal worthiness; for each, according to his deeds, is glorified or put to shame. But I beg and entreat you all, that you pray without ceasing unto Christ God for me, that I not be brought down unto the place of torment according to my sins, but that He will appoint me to the place where is the light of life.   9th Hour (Final Prayer of St. Basil the Great) Rescue us from the hand of the adversary, and forgive us our sins, and mortify our carnal mind; that, putting aside the old man, we may be clad with the new, and live for Thee, our Master and Benefactor; and that, so following after Thy commandments, we may attain unto rest eternal, where is the abode of all who rejoice.   Great Vespers None – note that it does NOT include Octoechos and Menaion!   Orthros/Matins Does NOT include Octoechos and Menaion. Prayer of Light.  . Illumine in our hearts the true Sun of Your righteousness, enlighten our minds and guard all our senses, that, as in the day, walking nobly in the way of Your commandments, we may attain to life eternal, for with You is the fountain of life, and that we may be vouchsafed to come to the enjoyment of Your unapproachable light. Evlogetaria.  Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes. The company of the Angels was amazed, when they beheld Thee numbered among the dead, yet Thyself, O Savior, destroying the power of death, and with Thee raising up Adam and releasing all men from hades. Tropar after Psalm 50.  Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, hath given unto us life eternal and Great Mercy.     Divine Liturgy Does NOT include Octoechos and Menaion Creed.  …I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen. Anaphora.  … Thou it was who didst bring us from non- existence into being and, when we had fallen away, didst raise us up again and didst not cease to do all things until thou hadst brought us up to heaven and hadst endowed us with thy kingdom which is to come… … Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the cross, the grave, the third-day resurrection, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, and the second and glorious coming: Thine own of thine own… … That to those who shall partake thereof they may be unto vigilance of soul, unto forgiveness of sins, unto the communion of thy Holy Spirit, unto the fulfillment of the kingdom of heaven and unto boldness toward thee, not unto judgment nor unto condemnation… Before Lord's Prayer… Vouchsafe us to partake of thy heavenly and dread mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table, with a pure conscience, unto forgiveness of sins, unto pardon of transgressions, unto communion of the Holy Spirit, unto inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, unto boldness toward thee, and not unto judgment nor unto condemnation. Lord's Prayer.  ..thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven… Communion Prayer.  …unto forgiveness of sins and unto life everlasting…. [1] St. Tikhon's Monastery, trans., The Great Book of Needs: Expanded and Supplemented, vol. I (South Canaan, PA: St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, 2000), 7–8.

In this encouraging episode, Chad looks at our resumes and what on earth gives us value. The God of Jacob executes justice on behalf of the oppressed, the needy, the outcast, the blind, and the sinners (like us). Markita Knight sings "By the God of Jacob We Are Blessed". Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Chad Bird Lyrics to "By the God of Jacob We Are Blessed" Verse 1) I will not trust in earthly kings Their breath departs, like fleeting things Their only strength is the strength of man Who returns to the dust, along with his plans    My hope is anchored deep in You You breathe new life, Your word is truth And You,   You formed the world, and made it right Entered into the dark, and  brought the light   Chorus By the God of Jacob We are blessed  O Christ, You execute justice For the oppressed Oh Christ the King You reign forever Our tongues confess As we sing together By the God of Jacob We are blessed    Lord, You still set the prisoners free You still opened the eyes of the blind You still lift up the fallen You feed the hungry, the Lord provides   So let all creation praise Your name Your goodness and mercy, forever the same Oh, hallelujah, let our voices raise For in  You (the Lord) alone, we find our endless praise.  

What does it mean to embrace correction? What is true friendship? This is an especially pertinent topic for our times, when we see our churches full of division. Izzi Ray sings "It's Your Kindness"   Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Chad Bird Lyrics to "It's Your Kindness" Humble me O Lord When my heart is proud Let the righteous strike me If I follow the crowd A word from my sister In and out of season To save me from danger Because my spirit needs it Chorus I need kindness An act of a friend Keeping watch Over the door of my lips Turn my eyes away  From the trap of temptation By your grace, turn my eyes Back to You    By your grace, O Christ, turn my eyes Back to You     Can I sit at the table If I hate correction If I cannot tell evil Or the fruit of deception Let me love the Word of truth And Your word of reproof From a stranger or a friend  As though it came from You   Bring me to the table By the hand my friend  Don't let me wander To the bitter end