This Week’s Theme
May My Disciples See My Glory
John 17.20-26
In John 17, our Lord prayed a high priestly prayer of petition to the Father on behalf of the apostles and all those who would believe on him through their word. Jesus asked that the Father keep the apostles, not taking them out of the world, but keeping them from the evil within it. He prayed for their sanctification and protection, and assured the Father that they had received his Word, and believed on him.
He told the Father that he did not make his requests only for the apostolic band, but also for those who would believe in him through their word. He prayed that these believers might be one, all of us, just as the Father was in him, and he in the Father, that believers might also be in the Father and the Son, in order that the world might come to believe that the Father sent Jesus into the world. Jesus prayed to the Father that the glory he had given him would now be given to the apostles. He asked that all who would come to believe in him through their word might be one as he and the Father are one – he, Jesus, in them, and the Father in Jesus, perfectly one.
Jesus ended his petition with a plea to the Father that those whom he had given to him might “be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” This amazing prayer reveals the burning desire of the Savior that all who belong to him see the glory that he has now, the very same glory he had with the Father before the world was founded.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God, thank you so much for the hope of seeing the glory of Christ in your presence with the glory you granted to him before the foundation of the world. We desire to see his glory, his beauty, his majesty and splendor in your presence with him, the holy angels, and your saints. Prepare us, refine us, and remake us for that amazing moment when we behold him in your presence, in his glorious beauty. We yield to you for this purpose, amen.
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Thursday: Pss. 1-2; 10; 33; 71; 91
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 97
Acts*: Acts 16.16-34
Gospel: John 17.20-26
NT: Rev. 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21
*During Eastertide, a reading from Acts is often substituted for the lesson from the Hebrew Bible.
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Lord Jesus, you prayed that we might behold your glory, the glory the Father gave you from before the world’s foundation. Provide us with your righteousness and grace that would allow us to stand in your presence free and able to see your marvelous glory. In your name, amen.
Affirmation for the Day
May we give thanks and praise to the Father in all that we do, honoring Christ as he honored the Father while on earth.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Reserve a space for us, O God, before your throne when Christ’s people behold him in his glory in your presence.
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Holy Spirit, Teacher of All Things
John 14.23-29
Book Reading
Metaxas, Martin Luther
Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Monday, June 3, 2019
Solitude and Silence: Wednesday, June 5, 2019