Week 25: May 14 - May 20, 2017 

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Holy Father, thank you, that Jesus our Lord is exalted to a position of glory, authority, and power at your right hand. Having died for us on the Cross, and risen from the grave on the third day, he is now at your right hand, the glorified Messiah to come. Thank you for his exalted position; reveal to us his glory that we may worthily serve and represent him here as citizens of his Kingdom to come. 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

Wednesday: 2 Kings 1; 3; 8.16-22; 1 Kings 22.41-50; 2 Chron. 21.1-7

Lectionary Readings

Psalm:Ps. 31.1-5, 15-16

Acts*:Acts 7.55-60

Gospel: John 14.1-14

NT:1 Pet. 2.2-10

(Click here for all readings)
* During Eastertide, a reading from Acts is often substituted for the lesson from the Hebrew Bible.

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, you are exalted at the Father’s right hand, a place of authority, glory, and honor reserved for you alone. You have conquered death and the grave, and have risen to the Father’s right hand. Now, come and reign in us that your glory may be seen in your people, here in this place where we live and work. Glorify your name, for you sake, amen.

Affirmation from the Psalms
I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD! [7] O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. [8] Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah.

~ Psalm 140.6-8

Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
You are exalted, Lord Jesus, reigning in glory at the Father’s right hand. Be honored in me today.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

Let God Arise

Psalm 68.1-10, 32-35

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Book Reading

Doriani, Women in Ministry

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Our Corporate Disciplines

Book Discussion: Monday, May 15, 2017