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CALL TO WORSHIP
(Responsively)
Come,everyone.
COME TO BOW DOWN BEFORE GOD,
The one who gathers all nations and races to see divine glory,
AND THE SIGN TO BE PERFORMED AMONG US.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
HOLY GOD, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE WOULD RATHER NOT CALL YOU PARENT BECAUSE WE WOULD PREFER TO LIVE THE UNDISCIPLINED LIFE. WE WOULD RATHER GO OUR OWN WAY AND AVOID THE TRAINING YOU INSIST ON G1VING US. WE LIKE TO BE EASY-GOING, SLACK IN OUR MORALS, HAPHAZARD IN OUR PRAYERS, SPIRITUALLY OUT-OF-CONDITION. FORGIVE SUCH DENIAL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS YOUR CHILDREN, SO UNLIKE YOUR TRUE AND PERFECT SON, JESUS CHRIST, IN WHOSE NAME WE PRAY. AMEN

DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News. As we submit to our spiritual Parent, we shall attain life. God disciplines us for our benefit, so that we may share the holiness of Christ. Friends, believe the Good News. IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.

EXHORTATION
Struggle to get in through the narrow door of salvation, for Jesus says, many will try to enter and not be able.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
DIVINE MASTER, KEEP US SO CLOSE TO YOU THAT BOTH IN TIMES OF SORROW AND IN TIMES OF FASTING, WE MAY NOT BE SHUT OUT OF YOUR PRESENCE, BUT KNOW THAT WE ARE ACCEPTED BY YOU AND INCLUDED IN THIS GATHERING OF YOUR FAITHFUL PEOPLE FROM EAST AND WEST, FROM NORTH AND SOUTH, CONTENT TO BE FIRST OR LAST AS YOU JUDGE US FIT, THROUGH YOUR EVERLASTING MERCY. AMEN

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
GENEROUS AND GRACIOUS GOD, YOU HAVE GIVEN ISRAEL A RICH HERITAGE OF FAITH IN THE TRADITION OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB, THE FOOTSTEPS OF SARAH, REBEKAH, AND RACHEL. YOU HAVE GIVEN CHRISTIANS AN HONORABLE NAME IN JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE GLAD TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GREAT GATHERING OF THE NATIONS TO YOUR VICTORY FEAST. WE ARE HAPPY IN THE PROMISE THAT THERE WILL BE A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH, IN WHICH WE SHALL SEE YOUR GLORY AND WORSHIP YOU WITH PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS. ALL PRAISE BE GIVEN TO YOU, FOR YOUR LOVE PROTECTING US IS STRONG AND YOUR CONSTANCY IS EVERLASTING. PRAISE TO OUR PARENT, STERN BUT FORGIVING. PRAISE TO YOUR SON, OLDER AND WISER.
PRAISE TO YOUR SPIRIT, WHO MAKES US BROTHERS AND SISTERS. AMEN

PRAYER OF DEDICATION
AS YOU, HOLY ONE, RECEIVED THE OFFERINGS OF ISRAEL AND CHOSE SOME OF THEM AS PRIESTS TO SERVE IN YOUR TEMPLE, ACCEPT OUR OFFERINGS AS WELL AND DESIGNATE SOME OF US TO SERVE YOU IN THE ORDAINED MINISTRY, SO THAT MORE PEOPLE AND NATIONS SHALL WORSHIP YOU. AMEN

PSALM 84
How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts!
MY SOUL HAS A DESIRE AND LONGING FOR THE COURTS OF THE LORD;
(ALL)
MY HEART AND MY FLESH REJOICE IN THE LIVING GOD.
The sparrow has found her a house
AND THE SWALLOW A NEST WHERE SHE MAY LAY HER YOUNG;
By the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,
MY KING AND MY GOD.
Happy are they who dwell in your house!
THEY WILL ALWAYS BE PRAISING YOU.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you!
WHOSE HEARTS ARE SET ON THE PILGRIMS' WAY.
Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs.
FOR THE EARLY RAINS HAVE COVERED IT WITH POOLS OF WATER.
They will climb from height to heights,
AND THE GOD OF GODS WILL REVEAL HIMSELF IN ZION.
Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
HEARKEN, O GOD OF JACOB.
Behold our defender, O God,
AND LOOK UPON THE FACE OF YOUR ANOINTED.
For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room.
AND TO STAND AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE HOUSE OF MY GOD THAN TO DWELL IN THE TENTS OF THE WICKED.
For the Lord God is both sun and shield;
HE WILL GIVE GRACE AND GLORY;
No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity,
O LORD OF HOSTS, HAPPY ARE THEY WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN YOU!