Week 38: August 13 - August 19, 2017

season christ headship 459x250top right headship 2016 17

 

Thursday, August 17th, 2017

  • 1 This Week's Theme
  • 2 Preparing Our Hearts
  • 3 Praising Our God
  • 4 Listening to His Voice
  • 5 Responding in Faith
  • 6 Departing to Serve
  • 7 For Your Weekly Journey
  • Focused: Mary

    Luke 10.38-42

    During one of his travels, Jesus entered a village called Bethany, and Martha welcomed him into her house. Martha had a sister, Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching, while Martha was distracted with serving their guests, making preparations for the meal. Exasperated, Martha went up to the Lord and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” However, the Lord answered Martha, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Jesus told Martha that of all the things worth stewing about, worth fretting over, and worth pondering on, only one thing was necessary. Martha was “anxious and troubled about many things,” but truly, only a single thing was really important. Jesus told her that Mary, her sister, had chosen “the good portion,” that one necessary thing (listening to Jesus’ words), and that this one thing would not be taken away from her. Mary was focused on the Lord and his word; that alone is necessary, and that focus is what each of us desperately needs to cultivate.

    In today's teaching, Dr. Davis refers to the following document :
    The Struggle of the Urgent and the Important

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Father, of all the things in this world, the many things that people are anxious about, trouble themselves over, and fret themselves sick on, only a single thing actually matters. Only one thing is necessary. Mary chose that “good portion” during our Lord’s visit to her home, and now we must all choose that good portion during the course of our lives. Grant us grace to focus on the necessary thing each day – sit at Jesus’ feet, and learn of him. In his name we pray, amen.

    Call to Worship  

    Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

  • Te Deum Laudamus

    You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

    You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

    Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

    Gloria Patri

    Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

  • Chronological Reading for the Day

    Thursday: Ezra 6.14b-22; 4.6; Esther 1-4



    Lectionary Readings

    Psalm:Ps. 85.8-13

    OT:Gen. 37.1-4, 12-28

    Gospel: Matt. 14.22-33

    NT:Rom. 10.5-15

    (Click here for all readings)

  • The Apostles' Creed

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

    *In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

    Prayers of Confession
    Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

    Assurance of Pardon
    Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

    Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

    --Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

    Doxology (and/or closing song)
    Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise Him all creatures here below;
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

  • Benediction  
    Lord Jesus, although I want to be more like Mary in choosing the good portion, I am truly sorry that I live so much of my days like Martha, “anxious and troubled about many things.” You alone can enable me to focus, to center down, and to look to you alone. Have mercy on me, and corral my thoughts to focus on you alone. In your name I pray, amen.

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. [24] You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. [26] My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [27] For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [28] But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

    ~ Psalm 73.23-28

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    Lord Jesus Christ, help me choose the good portion – sitting at your feet and listening to you – and not to be anxious and troubled about many, lesser things.

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    Brokenness before God

    1 Samuel 2.1-11



    Book Reading

    Cunningham and Hamilton, Why Not Women




    Our Corporate Disciplines

    Prayer and Fasting: Thursday, August 17, 2017