O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me,
and bring me to your holy hill, and to your dwelling.
Psalm 43:3
FOR HOLY THOUGHT
O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
For the Spirit of Prayer
O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication:
Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray:
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven;
Hallowed be your Name;
Your kingdom come;
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.
Thanksgiving for the gift of another day
We give you heartfelt thanks, O heavenly Father, for the rest of the past night and for the gift of a new day.
Grant that we may so pass its hours in the perfect freedom of your service, that we may again, when evening comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of repentance and faith
Lord Jesus Christ, I confess my faults, shortcomings, sins, and rebellious acts, and ask you to forgive me. I embrace you, Lord Jesus, as my Saviour and Lord.
Thank you for your atoning death on the cross in obedience to your Father’s will to put away my sins.
I enthrone you, Lord Jesus, to be in charge of every part of my life, and I ask you to indwell and empower me with your Holy Spirit, so that I may live as your faithful follower from now on. Amen.
For Intimacy with the Father
Gracious Father, we come to you through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Thank you for adopting us as your children through him. Grant us the grace to know you more fully as our Heavenly Father, that we may enjoy the fullness of the promises of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Call To Worship
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting:
O come, let us adore him!
VENITE, Exultemus Domino
O Come, let us rejoice in the Lord
O come, let us sing unto the Lord;
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the depths of the earth,
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands prepared the dry land.
O come, let us worship and fall down,
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts
as in the provocation,
and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested me,
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said,
“It is a people that err in their hearts,
for they have not known my ways,”
Of whom I swore in my wrath
that they should not enter into my rest.
PSALM 95:1-11
The mercy of the Lord is everlasting:
O come, let us adore him!
The Psalms of the Day
Read or chant the Psalms of the Day:
Let us prepare our hearts to hear from God’s Word:
For Studying the Scriptures
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON
Read an Old Testament passage from Genesis through Job.
TE DEUM LAUDAMUS | WE PRAISE YOU, O GOD
We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as Lord;
all creation worships you, the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the 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 praise,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose 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 to 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.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you;
we praise your Name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin;
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy,
for we have put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope;
let us never be put to shame.
The Second Lesson
Read a New Testament passage from Matthew through John.
BENEDICTUS ES, DOMINE | BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers;
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendour of your temple;
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths;
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34
Bible Study
Meditate on the Scripture passages you’ve just read, then take the time to read through the notes in your Study Bible / Library panel or use an Expository Commentary to ensure you’ve understood God’s Word to you today.
The TEN COMMANDMENTS
God spoke these words and said:
I. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods but me.
II. You shall not make for yourself any idol.
III. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.
IV. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
V. Honour your father and your mother.
VI. You shall not murder.
VII. You shall not commit adultery.
VIII. You shall not steal.
IX. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
X. You shall not covet.
Exodus 20:1–17
Deuteronomy 5:6–21
Lord, have mercy upon us,
and write all these, your laws, in our hearts, we beseech you.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living 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.
The Catechism
Read or listen to a selection of questions and answers from
To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism.
Theology & Church History
Delve into further Christian resources in order to know God more deeply and to be inspired by the lives of the saints who’ve gone before us.
Let us continue in prayer:
The Collect of the Week
PROPER 27 | Twenty-First SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Friday | for Endurance
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Listen for God’s Guidance
Spend time in quiet reflection and actively listen for the Holy Spirit’s gentle promptings, finding a sense of peace and clarity, while also discerning alignment with Holy Scripture and the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Prayers and Intercessions
Starting with open intercessions for our family and community, and then:
O Lord God, who have bidden light to shine out of darkness, and have again wakened us to praise you for your goodness and to ask for your grace:
Accept now the offering of our worship and thanksgiving, and grant to us all such requests as may be acceptable to your holy will. Make us to live as children of the light, and heirs of your everlasting kingdom.
Remember, O Lord, according to the multitude of your mercies, your whole Church, all who join with us in prayer, and all our brethren, wherever they may be, who stand in need of your aid.
Pour down upon us all the riches of your grace, so that, redeemed in soul and body, and steadfast in faith, we may ever praise your wonderful and holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THE FAMILY
Merciful Saviour, you loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus, hallowing their home with your sacred presence: Bless our home, we pray, that your love may rest upon us, and that your presence may dwell with us. May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of you, our Lord and Saviour. Teach us to love one another as you have commanded. Help us to bear one another’s burdens in fulfillment of your law, O blessed Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
FOR CHILDREN
O Lord Jesus Christ, who took little children into your arms and blessed them: Bless the children of this family, that they may grow up in godly fear and love. Give them your strength and guidance day by day, that they may continue in your love and service to their lives’ end. Grant this, O blessed Saviour, for your own Name’s sake. Amen.
FOR THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful: Sanctify this Congregation of Saint Timothy’s Anglican Bible Church by your abiding presence. Bless those who minister in holy things. Enlighten the minds of your people more and more with the light of the everlasting Gospel. Bring erring souls to the knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ; and those who are walking in the way of life, keep steadfast to the end. Give patience to the sick and afflicted, and renew them in body and soul. Guard those who are strong and prosperous from forgetting you. Increase in us your many gifts of grace, and make us all fruitful in good works. This we ask, O blessed Spirit, whom with the Father and the Son we worship and glorify, one God, world without end. Amen.
FOR ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF MEN
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
FOR THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONS
Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people: Continue in our midst his gracious work among us; console and heal the sick; grant to the physicians, nurses, and assisting staff wisdom and skill, diligence and patience; prosper their work, O Lord, and send down your blessing upon all who serve the suffering; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THE DIVERSITY OF RACES AND CULTURES
O God, who created all peoples in your image: We thank you for the diversity of races and cultures in this world. Show us your presence in those who differ from us, and enrich our lives with their fellowship, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THE SAINTS AND FAITHFUL DEPARTED
We give thanks to you, O Lord our God, for all your servants and witnesses of time past: for Abraham, the father of believers, and Sarah his wife; for Moses, the lawgiver, and Aaron, the priest; for Miriam and Joshua, Deborah and Gideon, and Samuel with Hannah his mother; for David, King over Israel; for Isaiah and all the prophets; for Mary, the mother of our Lord; for Peter and Paul and all the apostles; for Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene; for Stephen, the first martyr, and all the martyrs and saints in every age and in every land. In your mercy, O Lord our God, give us, as you gave to them, the hope of salvation and the promise of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the first born of many from the dead. Amen.
For Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the Cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honour of your Name. Amen.
For Daily Work
O Lord our Heavenly Father, by whose providence our duties are variously ordered: Grant to us all the spirit to labour heartily to do our work in our several stations, in serving one Master and looking for one reward. Teach us to put to good account whatever talents you have lent to us, and enable us to redeem our time by patience and zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR GUIDANCE
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Dedication
O God, Most High and Holy, Three in One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we offer to you this day ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto you; to whom be all praise and glory. Amen.
The GracE
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.