Opening Prayer: Almighty God, make me a good imitator or you. I know that I need the deliberate working of Your Holy Spirit in order for that to happen, so I welcome you into my life to shape me as You must. Amen.

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-8
Reflect: What is God’s response to Elijah’s desire to die? How does God’s gift of food give Elijah the ability to keep going? Why do you think it took the angel had to touch Elijah twice?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Nearer, Still Nearer”
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior-so precious Thou art!
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King-
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;

Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine!
Win, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and pride.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee.

Closing Prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit…Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:13)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, make me a good imitator or you. I know that I need the deliberate working of Your Holy Spirit in order for that to happen, so I welcome you into my life to shape me as You must. Amen.

Read: Psalm 130
Reflect: Why do you think the Psalmist calls “from the depths?” Why do you think God’s forgiveness is a reason for Him to be feared? How do we wait on the Lord?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Nearer, Still Nearer”
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior-so precious Thou art!
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King-
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;

Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine!
Win, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and pride.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee.

Closing Prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit…Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:13)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you have called me to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of Jesus. I can only do this by the power of Your Holy Spirit at work in my life. Please empower me. Amen.

Read: Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Reflect: I will be preaching from this passage on Sunday. Please read it carefully and prayerfully and ask God to teach you through Paul’s message to the Ephesians.

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “This is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget.
That though the wrong seems oft so stron,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world.
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

Closing Prayer: When He ascended on high, He led free a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you have called me to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of Jesus. I can only do this by the power of Your Holy Spirit at work in my life. Please empower me. Amen.

Read: 1 John 1:5-10
Reflect: How does John go from talking about the character and attributes of Jesus to talking about forgiveness? What do light and dark represent in this passage? List three descriptions of life in the light.

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “This is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget.
That though the wrong seems oft so stron,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world.
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

Closing Prayer: When He ascended on high, He led free a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, you have called me to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of Jesus. I can only do this by the power of Your Holy Spirit at work in my life. Please empower me. Amen.

Read: Matthew 18:21-35
Reflect: How does the parable suggest we should be motivated to forgive? What is easier, forgiving one large debt, or many small debts?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “This is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world.
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world.
The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world.
He shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget.
That though the wrong seems oft so stron,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world.
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

Closing Prayer: When He ascended on high, He led free a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men. Amen.