Scripture for Today

By Aliso Creek ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Scripture for Today episodes

December 19, 2023 Psalm | Psalm 126 (with Tom Gastil)
Opening Song:
Psalm 126 by Isaac Wardell
Lyrics:
Our mouths they were filled, filled with laughter
Our tongues they were loosed loosed with joy
Restore us O Lord
Restore us O Lord
Although we are weeping
Lord help us keep sowing
The seeds of Your kingdom
For the day You will reap them
Your sheaves we will carry
Lord please do not tarry
All those who sow weeping
Will go out with songs of joy
The nations will say He has done great things
The nations will sing songs of joy
Restore us O Lord
Restore us O Lord
Passage:
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Musical Reflection:
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY)
Reflection Notes:
Adapted from a medieval French folk tune, PICARDY was later arranged by esteemed English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams as a congregational hymn. The minor tonalities and scalar phrasing are very reminiscent of chant and serve to create a hushed environment in which to reflect on the rich text.
Prayer:
Your glorious Majesty surround me, the blessed Trinity protect me, and the eternal Godhead preserve me. Your unlimited mercy support me; your loving kindness encompass me; your favor make me to rejoice. The eternal truth of God be my delight, the saving knowledge of Christ strengthen me, and the all-prevailing grace of God be sufficient for me. May the grace of God the Father lead me, the wisdom of God the Son be my consolation, and the power of the Holy Spirit enlighten me. Lord my Creator, stand by me; my Redeemer, save me; and my Comforter, dwell with me. Amen.
-Johann Habermann
11 min
December 18, 2023 Advent Special | Joy to the World
8 min
December 15, 2023 Gospel | Mark 1:1-8 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Prepare Him Room by Rita Baloche
Lyrics:
Who is man that You would care for us
You clothed Yourself in flesh to draw us near
In sinful men You've made our hearts Your home
To make Your glory known Your redemption clear
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room
For nothing else compares with You
Restore the joy of our salvation Lord
Prepare our hearts for more of You
No greater love has anyone than this
To sacrifice the gift of Your only Son
So we lay aside all the earthly things
And all that comes between this great divide
Passage:
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight!
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:1-8 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL) by Thomas Helmore
Reflection Notes:
The tune VENI IMMANUEL comes from a 15th century chant and originally served as part of a requiem mass. Thomas Helmore adapted it for congregational use as a hymn in the late 1800s, while still retaining the speech-like flow of the original chant. The text dates back to the 8th century and was translated from Latin to English by J. M. Neal.
Prayer:
O God, who looked on us when we had fallen down into death and resolved to redeem us by the Advent of your only begotten Son; grant, we beg you, that those who confess his glorious incarnation may also be admitted to the fellowship of their Redeemer, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Ambrose
11 min
December 14, 2023 New Testament | 2 Peter 3:8-18 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Make a Way by Isaac Wardell, Kate Bluett, and Paul Zach
Lyrics:
Come Son of God and make us new
Light of the world our hearts renew
Hope in our inner darkness lies
Oh healing sun of justice rise
Come promised since our Eden's end
Child of the woman come defend
Long have we felt the serpent's sting
Come strike his head and mercy bring
O make a way open wide the gates
O make a way through the sorrow and the pain
O make a way though the road is dark and winding
O come come
Come Son of Man to show the way
O through the tears may we see the day
So long did we in darkness dwell
Come down to break the chains of hell
Passage:
8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. 13 But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace. 15 Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him. 16 He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
(2 Peter 3:8-18 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA), French carol
Reflection Notes:
This joyful French carol describes the scene found in Luke 2:8-15. Angels surprise shepherds in the Bethlehem fields and share the good news of the Savior’s birth. The famous chorus of cascading “glorias” emulates the angels’ song from that special night.
Prayer:
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 Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
11 min
December 13, 2023 Old Testament | Isaiah 40:1-11 (with Nick Locke)
Sunday’s Sermon:
Aliso Creek Church Podcast
Opening Song:
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People by Catherine Winkworth and Johannes G. Olearius, arranged by Nathan Clark George
Lyrics:
Comfort ye my people
Speak ye peace thus saith our God
Comfort comfort
Comfort those who sit in darkness
Mourning 'neath their sorrow's load
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over
Hark the voice of one that crieth
In the desert far and near
Bidding all souls to repentance
Since the kingdom now is here
O that warning cry obey
Now prepare for God away
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him
Make ye make ye
Make ye straight what long was crooked
Make the rougher places plain
Let your hearts be true and humble
As befits His holy reign
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er the earth is shed abroad
And all flesh shall see the token
And all flesh shall see the token
That His word is never broken
Comfort ye my people
Passage:
1 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your God.
2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and announce to her
that her time of hard service is over,
her iniquity has been pardoned,
and she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.”
3 A voice of one crying out:
Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness;
make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
4 Every valley will be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill will be leveled;
the uneven ground will become smooth
and the rough places, a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will appear,
and all humanity together will see it,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
6 A voice was saying, “Cry out!”
Another said, “What should I cry out?”
“All humanity is grass,
and all its goodness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flowers fade
when the breath of the LORD blows on them;
indeed, the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flowers fade,
but the word of our God remains forever.”
9 Zion, herald of good news,
go up on a high mountain.
Jerusalem, herald of good news,
raise your voice loudly.
Raise it, do not be afraid!
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Lord GOD comes with strength,
and his power establishes his rule.
His wages are with him,
and his reward accompanies him.
11 He protects his flock like a shepherd;
he gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them in the fold of his garment.
He gently leads those that are nursing.
(Isaiah 40:1-11 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard
Reflection Notes:
This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.
Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
10 min
December 12, 2023 Psalm | Psalm 85 (with Jeff Sholar)
Opening Song:
Speak Peace (Psalm 85) by Daniel Snoke
Lyrics:
Speak peace to Your people
Speak peace to Your saints
Speak peace to Your people
Speak peace to all the earth

Surely His salvation is at hand
Unfailing love and truth have met
Righteousness will cover all the earth
And His glory now fills the land

Speak peace to Your people
Speak peace to Your saints
Speak peace to Your people
Speak peace to all the earth

Lord, revive Your joy in us again
And let us hear what You will say
Will Your anger always be on us
Will You not restore us again

You have covered all our sin
We have been restored again
Show us Your unfailing love
Grant us salvation

Speak peace to Your people
Speak peace to Your saints
Speak peace to Your people
Speak peace to all the earth
Passage:
Psalm 85
Lord, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.

4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.

8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
    but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
    and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
    and make his footsteps a way.
Musical Reflection:
It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss
Reflection Notes:
A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God’s goodness. Spafford’s immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford’s children had died.
Prayer:
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13 min
December 11, 2023 Advent Special | O, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming by Poor Bishop Hooper
7 min
December 08, 2023 Gospel | Mark 13:24-37 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Ancient of Days by Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson
Lyrics:
Though the nations rage
Kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King
Reigning over all
So I will not fear
For this truth remains
That my God is the Ancient of Days
None above Him none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is the Ancient of days
Though the dread of night
Overwhelms my soul
He is here with me
I am not alone
O His love is sure
And He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days
Though I may not see
What the future brings
I will watch and wait
For the Saviour king
Then my joy complete
Standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days
For my God is the Ancient of Days
Passage:
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; 25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that he is near—at the door.
30 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
32 “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father.
33 “Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
34 “It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. 35 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. 36 Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!”
(Mark 13:24-37 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard
Reflection Notes:
This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.
Prayer:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
12 min
December 07, 2023 New Testament | 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Grace and Peace by Joel Sczebel
Lyrics:
Grace and peace oh how can this be
For lawbreakers and thieves
For the worthless the least
You have said that our judgment is death
For all eternity without hope without rest
Oh what an amazing mystery
What an amazing mystery
That Your grace has come to me
Grace and peace oh how can this be
The matchless King of all
Paid the blood price for me
Slaughtered Lamb what atonement You bring
The vilest sinner's heart
Can be cleansed can be free
Grace and peace oh how can this be
Let songs of gratefulness
Ever rise never cease
Loved by God and called as a saint
My heart is satisfied
In the riches of Christ
Oh what an amazing love I see
What an amazing love I see
That Your grace has come to me
Passage:
1 Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Sosthenes our brother:
2 To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in him in every way, in all speech and all knowledge. 6 In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:1-9 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)
Reflection Notes:
This meterless hymn flows freely, a clear indicator of its plainchant origins. The rich text by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius was a response to the Council of Nicea in the early Church; it establishes belief in the Trinity and Christ’s nature as fully man and fully God.
Prayer:
Merciful Lord, the comforter and teacher of your faithful people, increase in your church the desires which you have given, and confirm the hearts of those who hope in you by enabling them to understand the depth of your promises, that all your adopted children may even now behold, with the eyes of faith, and patiently wait for, the light which as yet you do not openly manifest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Ambrose
11 min
December 06, 2023 Old Testament | Isaiah 64:1-9a (with Tom Gastil)
Sunday’s Sermon:
Aliso Creek Church Podcast

Opening Song:
Oh Righteous Branch by Caroline Cobb and Andrew Osenga
Lyrics:
Oh righteous branch from Jesse's root
Please come and bring Your kingdom
The lion dwelling with the lamb
Bring peace and life and freedom
Oh Son of David come to rule
And reign in us forever
Come write Your law upon our hearts
And keep us like a shepherd
Hallelujah Jesus we wait for You
Hallelujah Jesus come soon come soon
Messiah come Your Spirit give
Turn stony hearts to flesh
Redeem us from captivity
The power of sin and death
Jesus come soon come soon
At last at last the morning comes
With healing in its wings
We'll leap like calves loosed from their stalls
For You have done great things
Yes You have done great things
Passage:
1 ou would tear the heavens open
and come down,
so that mountains would quake at your presence—
2 just as fire kindles brushwood,
and fire boils water—
to make your name known to your enemies,
so that nations would tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome works
that we did not expect,
you came down,
and the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 From ancient times no one has heard,
no one has listened to,
no eye has seen any God except you
who acts on behalf of the one who waits for him.
5 You welcome the one who joyfully does what is right;
they remember you in your ways.
But we have sinned, and you were angry.
How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?
6 All of us have become like something unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment;
all of us wither like a leaf,
and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
7 No one calls on your name,
striving to take hold of you.
For you have hidden your face from us
and made us melt because of our iniquity.
8 Yet LORD, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we all are the work of your hands.
9 LORD, do not be terribly angry
or remember our iniquity forever.
Please look—all of us are your people!
(Isaiah 64:1-9 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL) by Thomas Helmore
Reflection Notes:
The tune VENI IMMANUEL comes from a 15th century chant and originally served as part of a requiem mass. Thomas Helmore adapted it for congregational use as a hymn in the late 1800s, while still retaining the speech-like flow of the original chant. The text dates back to the 8th century and was translated from Latin to English by J. M. Neal.
Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
12 min

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