Scripture for Today

Opening Song: 

Day by Day by Isaac Wardell and Lowana Wallace

Lyrics:

Server you remind us of our Savior's bowl and towel

Teacher you are raising up a child to be kind

Lawyer give us hope

That justice one day will surround us

May God's kingdom come

On earth His will be done

Lord be close to us

Lord have mercy on us

Lord please put Your hand on us

Day by day

Farmer you are working for a table full of bounty

Painter with each color you are teaching us to see

Nurse yours are the healing hands

That touch the poor and broken

Carpenter you frame a house

For those who need protection

Laborer you lift a heavy burden for the weak

Leaders build a city

That all children may rejoice in

Passage: 

Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Musical Reflection: 

“Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major by J.S. Bach

Reflection Notes: 

The slow, descending bass line creates musical “steps” in an elegant fashion while a suspended melody several octaves above creates a satisfying combination of sound registers.

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, you are the fountain of all peace, spiritual and temporal. We humbly pray, in your great goodness grant us that peace which the world cannot give, that we may ever live in your fear, obedient to your commandments, to the end that you may deliver us from all our enemies; through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Opening Song: 

Sing to the Lord (Banner) by Ben Smith, Chris Tomlin, Daniel Bashta, Ed Cash, and Pat Barrett

Lyrics:

Sing to the Lord a new song

Sing to the Lord all the earth

In the beauty of His holiness

The beauty of His holiness

The beauty of His holiness

Sing to the Lord a new song

Sing to the Lord O my soul

In the wonders of His mighty hand

The wonders of His mighty hand

Great is the Lord we cry

(And) Greatly to be praised

Let ev'ry nation rise and say

Our God reigns our God reigns

Sing to the Lord a new song

Worship the Lord evermore

In the glory of His majesty

The glory of His majesty

Your banner Your banner over us is love

Unfailing love

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heav'nly host

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

Passage: 

Psalm 96

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

    sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

    tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

    he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

    but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    bring an offering, and come into his courts!

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;[a]

    tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12     let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13     before the Lord, for he comes,

    for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Musical Reflection: 

Harp Meditation No. 3 by Gretchen Kirby

Reflection Notes: 

This harp reflection features rich, full chords with a strong melody. The tension between major and minor chords reflects the challenges and triumphs of life. 

Prayer: 

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light

of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word

and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's

glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the

ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with

you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and

for ever. Amen.

Opening Song:

Lyrics:

Spirit of God breathe on me now

Come and lift the dark clouds of doubt and unbelief

Where You breathe hope thrives

Passage:

Musical Reflection:

Reflection Notes:

Prayer:

Opening Song:

Take My Heart With Altar Fire by Advent Birmingham

Lyrics:

All seeing God, you see my deeds;

You see my faults by light of day.

You see my sins concealed in darkness:

Turn my deeds to holy ways;

Turn my deeds to holy ways.

All hearing God, you hear my words;

You hear each lie, each hurtful phrase.

You hear my pride in secret slander:

Turn my tongue to truth and grace;

Turn my tongue to truth and grace.

Take away my love of sinning,

Straighten every bent desire;

Fix my soul upon your promise:

Take my heart with altar fire;

Take my heart with altar fire.

All knowing God, you know my heart;

You know my yearnings deep inside;

You know my hidden motivations:

Turn my heart to pure delight;

Turn my heart to pure delight.

Take away my love of sinning,

Straighten every bent desire;

Fix my soul upon your promise:

Take my heart with altar fire;

Take my heart with altar fire.

Fire of God, consume my heart;

And burn it down to only faith,

Til all that’s left of me is only you.

Christ my glory, Christ my praise.

Take away my love of sinning,

Straighten every bent desire;

Fix my soul upon your promise:

Take my heart with altar fire;

Take my heart with altar fire.

Passage: 

15   As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

(Luke 3:15–22 ESV)

Musical Reflection: 

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” tune by Robert Jackson

Reflection Notes: 

TRENTHAM is a tune by Robert Jackson, an English composer during the nineteenth century. It fits perfectly with the text for “Breath On Me, Breath of God,” by Edwin Hatch; each phrase is allotted ample space for reflection.

Prayer:

Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove: Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Opening Song:

Lyrics:

We sing God is so good

Haunted by the past no more

(Oh there's) never been anyone like You

Hope is rising like the sun

God You are good

God You're so good always good to me

God is so good

Passage:

Musical Reflection:

Reflection Notes:

Prayer:

Opening Song:

Lyrics:

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever

Lord You are the glory of all our strength

Oh Lord God Almighty who is like You

Of His great love I will sing

Passage:

Musical Reflection:

Reflection Notes:

Prayer:

Opening Song:

Lyrics:

His name is justice

We believe in the healing power

What's His Name

Passage:

5 Thus says God, the Lord,

Musical Reflection:

Reflection Notes:

Prayer:

Yesterday's Sermon:

Passage:

11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.

16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. 22 She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

Song:

Lyrics:

What other beauty demands such praises

Come and behold Him

What other glory consumes like fire

Who else could rescue me from my failing

Prayer:

Opening Song:

Lyrics:

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain

O star of wonder star of night

Frankincense and myrrh I bring

In the dark we're not lost

Passage:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Musical Reflection:

Reflection Notes:

Prayer:

Opening Song:

Lyrics:

Oh what an amazing mystery

Grace and peace oh how can this be

Grace and peace oh how can this be

Oh what an amazing love I see

Passage:

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Musical Reflection:

Reflection Notes:

Prayer: