Week 47: October 15 - October 21, 2017
Friday, October 20th, 2017
-
Humble: The Canaanite Women Matthew 15.21-28
After a season of much questioning and disputes with the religious leaders, Jesus left the regions of Galilee and traveled north into the region of Tyre (thirty-five miles north) and Sidon (sixty miles north) on the Gentile coastal region of Phoenicia. While in that area, Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” Remarkably, Jesus did not answer her a single word. Even the disciples came and begged the Lord to send her away, apparently because her constant crying after them was becoming annoying.
Finally, the Lord answered that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. However, the woman came, knelt before the Lord, and said, “Lord, help me.” Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She then said to him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Jesus then answered, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” In that very instant, her daughter was instantly healed.When given the picture by the Lord of a family at its meal, with portions for the children which no animal should receive, this Gentile woman was willing to see herself as a dog, able only to receive the crumbs dropped from the table of the master. Her longing for her daughter was not to steal or deprive anything from the blessing of God on his people. Her deep humility and great faith, however, simply sought the “crumbs” of his blessing for her little daughter. Our Lord saw her humility and faith, and healed her daughter. He will heal us when we, too, cling to him in humility and faith. -
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God, our Father, thank you for the Gentile woman’s deep faith in you, her humility, and willingness to picture herself in the lowliest way in order to petition you for help. Her kneeling, her pleas, her persistence, her picturing herself as a dog under the table looking for crumbs from the master’s table – this reveals the depth of her heart, and the greatness of her faith. Reproduce that humility in us, so you can heal us and our own, right away. In Jesus’ 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 DayFriday: 2 Thess. 1-3; Acts 18.4-28
Lectionary ReadingsPsalm:Ps. 106.1-6, 19-23
OT:Exod. 32.1-14
Gospel: Matt. 22.1-14
-
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, as you recognized the great faith of the Gentile woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon, and healed her daughter instantly because of her faith, work in us that same depth of humility that will trust in you alone as the source of our lives and our help. In your name we pray, amen.Affirmation from the Psalms
To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. [2] Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.~ Psalm 28.1-2
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus, answer our prayer for help, for although we deserve nothing at all from you, still, our eyes are upon you. -
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Embracing the Power of Loyalty
Ruth 1.1-18
Book ReadingSanders, Ministry at the Margins