Opening Prayer: Almighty God, You have promised never to leave me or forsake me. Please draw to mind your promises as I go through periods in my life when I am apt to forget that truth. Amen.

Read: John 16:5-16

Reflect: Why is it good that Jesus leave the disciples? How is the Holy Spirit better for us than Jesus’ bodily presence on earth? How do you think our relationship with God would be different if we had Jesus instead of the Holy Spirit?

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

Hymn: “Lead On, O King Eternal”
Lead on, O King Eternal.
The day of march is come.
Hence-forth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King Eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King Eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud slashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy,
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King Eternal.
We follow, not with fears;
For gladness breaks like morning
Wherever Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us;
We journey in its light.
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.

Closing Prayer: Finally, bretheren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NASB)