Invitation — Psalm 126:2-3
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy... The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 99
The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name —
he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice —
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
Lord our God,
you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving God,
though you punished their misdeeds.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
Bible Reading — John 14:15-21
"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again, perhaps out loud ... how has God's Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind ... pray to God what it is that has moved you today ... turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him.
Free Prayer
- for the flourishing of Christ's church everywhere
- for worship that glorifies God and gathers, unites, and blesses his people
- for those in our church who celebrate the birth of a child
Prayer — WSC 34
Abba, Father, thank you for making me your cherished child. Train my heart so that I experience and enjoy this status. Send your Spirit to me today, taking this sweet truth that I am embraced as your adopted child and making it believable to my heart, an electric reality in my living that governs my thoughts, feelings, and actions. Amen.
Blessing — Jude 21
"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."