Nov 12-19 Gods continued message

For the teaching weeks we focused on the question, ‘Does God change?’. While the answer may appear simple in our own lives, we must admit that it can sometimes be hard to see the same God within the transition from the OT to the NT. The Old testament seems so full of war, law and sacrifice and in the New we find Jesus teaching peace and grace and giving himself as the ultimate sacrifice. So we looked at texts in the OT such as Deut. 10:12-22 and Isaiah 58. What we find in fact is that themes that we thought were specifically NT such as circumcision of the heart and a fasting that focuses on social justice rather than strict law are found within the OT as well. God has always been concerned with our heart posture, towards Him and those around us. We ended with a tough question. Is an encounter with God the same as an encounter with Jesus? Should they be the same? Can they be the same? While we didn’t come up with an answer on Wednesday a good friend of mine did point to what I think may be an answer. John 14:5-10

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered, “Don’t you know me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing His work.

Have a great week guys, we love you and are praying for you and hope that you will join us for the feast next week!

Lord, have mercy.

In peace, let up pray to the Lord, saying, "Lord have mercy."

We take time on the first week of every moth to pray. We start by worshiping, preparing to petition God. Then we enter into corporate prayer using The Prayers of the People, which is a liturgical cycle of intercession. Lastly, we split up and pray for each other. We come to this time expecting to be heard by God and to hear from Him.

Below, I’ve put up the text of Form 5 of the Prayers of the People. This is what we use.

The Prayers of the People
Form V

In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy”

For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming, we pray to you, O Lord.

For Jim our pastor, for all ministers of the Gospel and for all the holy people of God, we pray to you, O Lord.

For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease, and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.

For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. For Woody and our friends in Ethiopia, we pray to you, O Lord.

For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, we pray that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we pray to you, O Lord.

For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord.

For those in positions of public trust [especially for our President, George Bush, our Governor, Jennifer Granholm, the Mayor of Detroit, and other elected officials in our cities and subburbs], that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord.

For all who live and work in this community [especially __________], we pray to you, O Lord.

For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster, we pray to you, O Lord.

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.

For Royal Oak Vineyard and this homegroup, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all that we do, we pray to you, O Lord.

For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, O Lord.

For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O Lord.

For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends, and neighbors; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we pray to you, O Lord.

For __________, we pray to you, O Lord.

For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.
We pray to you, O Lord.

Silence

For Yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and for ever. Amen.