Opening sentence
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Call to praise
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, Rejoice.
Glory …
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 119.9-16
How shall the young remain sinless?
By obeying your word.
I have sought you with all my heart;
let me not stray from your commands.
I treasure your promise in my heart
lest I sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
With my tongue I have recounted
the decrees of your lips.
I rejoiced to do your will
as though all riches were mine.
I will ponder all your precepts
and consider your paths.
I take delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Thanksgiving
O God, we give thanks to you
at all times and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We sing psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs,
making melody to you in our hearts, O Lord.
Amen.
Call to discipleship
Let us guard the good treasure entrusted to us,
with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Breakout Rooms and Discussion
- What does this passage say about God?
- What does it say about people?
- How can we pray for each other?
Our Father who art in heaven
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Benediction
Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts,
to which indeed you were called
in the one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly;
And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him. Amen.