Week 40: August 27 - September 2, 2017
Tuesday, August 29th, 2017
-
Worshipful: Miriam Exodus 15.1-21
The Lord demonstrated his power and glory in his victory over the Egyptians as they pursued the Israelites. The Scriptures testify that, in fear of their lives, they both groaned and cried when they considered the prospects of their death in light of Pharaoh’s pursuit (14.10-12). Their terror and fear were turned into praise and worship as God delivered his people in the midst of the Red Sea, and destroyed the Egyptian army in the midst of the sea, with their dead bodies, horses, and chariots testifying to God’s sovereign power and glory in judging his enemies. In the face of this, the Israelites both feared and believed in the Word of the Lord. Moses and Miriam, after this great event, led the people in song and praise, as recorded in Exodus 15.
In Moses’ song, in three sections (vv. 1-6, 7-11, 12-16) he offers praise to God and concludes each with repeated phrases: “Your right hand, O Lord” (v. 6); “who is like You?” (v. 11); “until . . . people . . . pass by” (v. 16). In the first section he speaks of the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, in the second, God’s defeat of the Egyptians by God’s mighty power, and the final section, the wonderful results of God’s triumph on behalf of his people. God is seen to be a great God, triumphing by his right hand, leading his people into the land of promise.At the end of this exalted poem of praise, the writer describes Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, taking a tambourine into her hand, and leading all the women who joined her with tambourines and dancing. In the wake of God’s great victory, Miriam sang to the people: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” Responding to God’s great deliverance with dancing and song, Miriam led the people in triumphant praise. As she unselfishly expressed her thanks before the people, so we too should emulate her and show others our gratitude to God in the presence of others. -
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Father, after your great victory over the Egyptians at the Red Sea, Moses and Miriam expressed before your people triumphant, massive, and expressive praise. The people rejoiced and celebrated your mighty power, and Miriam, your servant, danced before you, expressing thanks with the tambourine and singing to you in gratitude for your amazing deliverance of your people. Give us a free spirit, to express our thanks to you freely before others, for you are our victorious Champion. In your 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 DayTuesday: Matt. 2-3; Luke 2.41-3.18; 3.21-22; Mark 1.2-11
Lectionary ReadingsPsalm:Ps. 124
OT:Exod. 1.8-2.10
Gospel: Matt. 16.13-20
-
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, thank you for the example of Miriam and the women, who expressed with love and joy your mighty victory over the Egyptian army. With tambourine and dancing, with poetry and singing, she led the women and the people in triumphant praise before you. Flood our hearts with the same grateful praise, and set our spirits free to worship you in new ways. For your sake, amen.Affirmation from the Psalms
He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. [27] They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham. [28] He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words. [29] He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die. [30] Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings. [31] He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. [32] He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land. [33] He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country. [34] He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number, [35] which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground. [36] He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength. [37] Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. [38] Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.~ Psalm 105.26-38
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus, flood our minds and hearts with grateful and triumphant praise for your great deliverance for us on the Cross. -
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Pondering the Deep Things of God
Luke 1.46-56, 26-38
Book ReadingSanders, Ministry at the Margins
Church Year Overview
Season of Epiphany Description
2016-2017 Annual Resources
Return to Annual Index Page