Advent Sunday: 2 December 2012

Torah: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Prophet: Joshua 7:1-36 Writing: Sirach 7:1-36 Psalm: 100 Epistle: Revelations 5:1-14 Gospel: Matthew. 24:29-42 Collect: El Shadai, you sent Yeshua into the world to begin the kingdom, announcing by word and mighty acts that you were in the world. Open our hearts and minds through the power of the Ruach haKodesh, so that no matter when you return, we will be prepared for that coming, living lives of holiness, and bearing much fruit. This we ask in the name of Adonai Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God, in shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (blue) 3 December: El Shadai: You raised up Francis Xavier to proclaim the Gospel in diverse lands of Asia. Raise up in this and every generation men and women who are ready to proclaim the Gospel to all the world, no matter what the cost. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reins with you and the Rucah haKodesh, on God in Shekina glory everlasting. Amen. 4 December: El Shaddai, you raised up your presbyter, John of Damascus to defend the faith, and write hymns. So raise up in this and every generations men and women who will defend the church against heresy and who will stand up for the faith. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who stood against the false teaching of his time, and who lives and reigns with you and Ruach haKodesh, one God in shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (white) 5 December: El Shaddai, your presbyter Clement of Alexandria came to you after much seeking and dedicated himself to teaching the faith to Christians and Pagans. Grant in this and every place men and women who are dedicated to teaching your holy word to those who know and do not know you, and grant that we would truly teach Christians what is truly meant to walk with you. This we ask through our Saviour, Yeshuah haMoshiach who taught his disciples the truth. Amen. (red) 6 December: El Shaddai, as you raised up Nicholas of Myra to be generous to the poor, children and sailors, bless us that we may be blessings to all who are in need, and teach us to protect the poor, children, sailors, and others whom this world has forgotten, and let your blessing be upon them as well. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs with you in Shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (red) 7 December: El Shaddai, you raised up Ambrose to keep the peace, to teach the faith and to enrich our worship of you. Be for us Lord, medicine when we are sick, our strength when we need help, the way when we long for heaven, our light when all is dark, and our food when we need nourishment. Send your Ruach haKodesh upon us that we would serve you as Ambrose did. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs with you in Shekina glory everlasting. Amen. (white) 8 December: El Shaddai, God of all creation, we pray that your kingdom will be manifested in our lives this day. We pray for our congregations which sow the seeds of your word faithfully. May you nourish them that they may bring forth abundant harvest into your kingdom. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and governs with you in Shekina glory everlasting. Amen. Hanukah begins tonight at Sunset

Fourth Sunday of Kingdomtide: 25 November 2012

Today we continue with the 4^th Sunday of Kindgomtide.  During Kingdomtide we consider various themes relating to the Kingdom, both the Kingdom of the 2^nd coming of Messiah, but also the Kingdom which Yeshua proclaimed to be drawing nigh.  This 4^th Sunday of Kingdomtide is often celebrated as the Feast of Christ the King by many of the other liturgical churches.  

Last week in the lesson from Deuteronomy, we heard that the Hebrews made YHWH their King.  This sounds a bit odd, but means that they accept YHWH’s kingship and will obey his Torah.  This is the essence of the Kingdom in the Torah.  YHWH will be our God and we will be his people.  This relationship is built on YHWH’s love for us, and our response should be based in thanksgiving.  

Today we stretch that concept even more.  Adonai Yeshua tells us in this lesson, that we can only enter the Kingdom as children.   What is it that Yeshua is commanding?  He wants us to learn to love him for the relationship.  He wants us to learn to trust him as little children trust their parents to meet their needs.  Does a small child worry whether breakfast or dinner will appear on the table?  No, he knows his parents will provide.  In the same way, we are to know that Yah will provide for our needs.

But in addition, we are to bring that kingdom about.  After these last elections, some of you  were surprised that 2  states approved same sex marriage.  Part of the reason you were surprised is because the last election, seven states voted it down in referendum.  Why the change?  The change has mostly been powered by the small screen.  People watch shows like Glee, Modern Family and the New Normal, plus many others, and they decide this is what it should be like, instead of basing our lives on the word of God.  God is rather clear on homosexual behaviour.  He finds it to be an abomination, that it was to be punished, that it was a result of idolatry, that those who practice it cannot enter into the Kingdom, and that Jesus could help people overcome it.  

In the face of all that, why do Christians allow shows like these to appear in their homes? Not only should we turn off the TV, but we should write our local stations, and protest.  We should write the FCC and complain about the morals of our kids being subverted by such shows (yes sexual behaviour still has to do with morals, no matter what they tell you). (Glee by the way also apparently encourages sex between underage young men, just what you want your kids to watch.).  We should make sure we know every commercial product advertised on these shows and ban them from our shopping lists, and write their companies and tell them, we will not stand for them subverting the morals of our society nor our children.  When we hit them hard, in the pocket book, then they will stop, although probably not without a fight.  We will be called haters.  We will be called homophobic, but eventually we will be victors with our king.  In the current culture, why should a homosexual repent.  After all he is smarter, more tasteful, and even understands girls better.  Just like the drunk, the thief, the murderer, he needs to be told that his behaviour is wrong before he will come to repentance.

Torah:  Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Prophet:  Joshua 7:1-36

Writing:  Wisdom of Sirach 6:5-37

Psalm: 

Epistle:  Revelations 4:1-9

Gospel:  Luke 18: 15-17

Collect:  Blessed are you, Holy Master, our God, King of the universe who sent  your son Yeshua  to reign over all the earth. So prepare our hearts, that we would always be prepared for the coming kingdom, that our light would shine before men, that they too would prepare for the coming kingdom. This we ask in the name of Adonai Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen

19 November: Dear Lord, your daughter, Elizabeth was princess of Hungary, yet was willing to sell even her jewels to do your work.  Grant to us as you did to Elizabeth a love for helping those in need and the ability to minister to the sick, that we like Elizabeth may fulfill the command of visiting the sick, clothing the naked and feeding the hungry.  This we ask through Yeshuah who multiplied loaves and fishes to feed the hungry.  Ame.  (white)

20 November: Dear Lord, you gave your abbess Hilda of Whitby gifts on prudence, good sense and encouragement, help us like her to encourage others in the faith and to submit to the authority of the church, even it does not follow our will.  This we ask in the name of our saviour, Yeshuah, who prayed, not my will but your will be done.  Amen.  (white)

21 November.  Great Physician, like David, we ask that you forgive us our sins and remove all our guilt. Heal us and make us whole again so that we can do your will today. This we ask through our Lord and Saviour Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. 

22 November:  Dear Lord, you gave your servant Clive S. Lewis wonderful ability to proclaim your kingdom, love of you, and spiritual truths through the written and spoken word.  Raise up in this and every generation authors who truly love you and proclaim you through word and action.  This we ask through Yeshuah haMoshiach who himself used parables to proclaim the truth of the kingdom.  Amen.  (white)

&

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them.  Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

23 November:  Heavenly Father, you raised up your servant Clement to be Bishop of Rome and to reestablish the ecclesiastical authority in Corinth.  Help our Bishops to remember that to be bishops apart we must be Bishops together, conforming our lives and doctrine to your most holy scriptures.  This we ask through Yeshuah who resisted Satan by using the words of the Old Testament.  Amen.  (white)

24 November: Your name, O Lord, is great and above every name! You are the head over all things. In you the fullness of God is pleased to dwell and makes peace by the blood of your cross. Fall before him for he is Lord of lords and King of kings! Amen.

Third Sunday of Kingdomtide: 18 NOvember 2012

My apologies for any jumping around.  As a result o f using this lectionary over the last few years, we decided that the Pentateuch or Torah would work well on a four year schedule.  We skipped a few chapters in Deuteronomy to make things fit this year, but from now on, the Torah will be read in course over the four years, together with the Epistles and Gospels.  It is not possible to fit the Prophets and Writings on the same schedule, the readings would just be too long.

Some probably noted that we jumped into Revelations as well.  Revelations will now be read over the course of the four years during Kingdom tide and Advent tide as the themes of Advent go with these seasons.

Torah:  Deuteronomy 33:1-29

Prophet:  Joshua 5:13-6:27

Writing:  Wisdom of Sirach 4:11-6:4

Psalm:  82

For the Epistle:  Revelationsh 3: 1-22

Gospel:  Luke 12: 22-40

Collect:  Almighty Father, grant us the grace to persevere in faith and to trust in your Son's gospel of reconciliation.  By the power of your Spirit, preserve us through this life, give us victory over sin and death, and lead us to your promised inheritance of everlasting life, the gift offered by your Son, Yeshuah haMoshiach, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

12 November:  Heavenly Father who raised up Martin of Tours as Bishop in your church.  Help us to follow his examples of being generous to the poor, and charitable to those who oppose you, that they may see your mercy in us.  This we ask through Yeshua who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

13 November:  Let our eyes be opened to your wonderful peace and joy that we experience when we accept you as Lord and master of our lives. Keep our eyes and hearts ever focused on you, Lord. This we ask through our Lord and Saviour Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. 

14 November: Praise be to the Lord Almighty, maker of heaven and earth! How great you are above all there is or will ever be. We offer you our lives as living sacrifices and letters of recommendation. In humility we bow down and worship you for you are worthy! Have mercy upon us. Amen.

15 November:  Come rule over us, O King of Glory. Make us your subjects so we may live in your kingdom for ever and ever. Without your peace we would live in fear, and without your righteousness we would live in iniquity. We are thankful this day for your peace and joy. You give them to us as guarantees. This we ask through our Lord and Saviour Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. 

16 November:   Dear Lord, you placed Margaret in a position of authority that she could advance the causes of your kingdom.  Grant our leaders love for you and your people that the kingdom may be advanced here on earth as in heaven.  This we ask through Yeshuah haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

17 November:  Heavenly Father, as you imbued your Bishop Hugh of Lincoln with true grace and agape for all, help your church to love and serve the poor, oppressed, and outcasts, that they may come to know you through our witness, which we ask in the name of your beloved son, who loved us even unto death on the cross.  Amen.  (white)

11 November 2012: 2nd Sunday of Kingdomtide

Torah:  Deuteronomy 32:44-52

Prophet:  Joshua 4:19-5:12

Writing:  Wisdom of Sirach 3:1-4:10

Psalm:  37, part 2

Epistle:  Ephesians 4

Gospel:  John 3:16-21

Collect:  Gracious Father, Yeshua promised signs and wonders to his disciples.  Help us to so walk with our eyes upon Yeshua that we will recognise the signs of the times, and that we truly seek you kingdom.  This we ask in the name of  Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reings with you and Ruach haKodesh, on God in glory everlasting.

5 November: O God, our Father, we confess that we have depended on our own foolishness and unwise choices. We have listened to the wrong voices which tend to please our ears. Turn us back toward that which is true  and right in you so we may proclaim your power and wisdom. This we ask through our Lord and Saviour Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. 

6 November:   Thank you, Lord, for your living and eternal word. Help your preachers to rightly handle the word of truth and help their hearers to receive it as profitable for teaching and training in righteousness. In your name we pray. Amen.

7 November:  Let not the ways of this world distract us from you, Yeshua. Prepare in us a humble heart, to serve you and each other. We patiently await your presence with us again. In your most blessed name we pray.  Amen.

8 November: May our lives be as candles ablaze in the darkness and our witness as a light for others to find their way home to you. Lift the covering of our light so we might shine and bear witness to the one true light. You enlighten all who seek you. This we ask in the name of Him who is light to the world.  Amen.

9 November:  Lord, you know our every thought and hear every word we speak. Help us to live the truth, unlike the double minded who live one way before people and another in the shadows. We are charged to live in your light where no one can be concealed. This we ask through our Lord and Saviour Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen. 

10 November:  Heavenly Father, as you gave your Bishop, Leo of Rome, abilities in administration, preaching and reconciliation, raise up in this and every generation ministers with talents to proclaim the Kingdom and run the church for your glory.  This we ask through Yeshuah haMoshiach, who lives and reins with you and Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)

11 November:  Heavenly Father who raised up Martin of Tours as Bishop in your church.  Help us to follow his examples of being generous to the poor, and charitable to those who oppose you, that they may see your mercy in us.  This we ask through Yeshua who lives and reins with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.  Amen.  (white)