
Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
O God, in the glorious resurrection of Jesus death was defeated; by the power of the Holy Spirit may His resurrection life live in us today.
Matthew 16:21-28 (NIV)
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
O Lord, please be patient with me. One moment I pick up my cross and the next I lay it down again. In You is life, everlasting life.
(S-L-O-W-L-Y; inhale and exhale deeply)
Our Father, who is in Heaven, most holy is Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into a time of testing.
Deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Oh God, the king of glory, you have exalted your only son Jesus Christ with great trying to your Kingdom in Heaven: do not leave us comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the sun, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
Our Father, who is in Heaven, most holy is Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into a time of testing.
Deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Father God, through the life, death, and resurrection of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, death was neutered and the gates to eternal life were flung open. May we all in faith embrace this unearned gift and respond with grateful celebration empowered by the Holy Spirit; through Christ, the risen Lord we pray.
We have not loved You with my whole heart; We have not loved my neighbor as ourself. We are truly sorry and humbly return to You.
For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, for Your glory.
You, promise that if we confess our sins You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank You for being a promise-keeping God. We receive Your gift of forgiveness and reconciliation.
21 From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” 23 But he didn’t respond to her at all.
His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.”
24 Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”
25 But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.”
26 He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.”
27 She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.”
28 Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.
Our Father, who is in Heaven, most holy is Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into a time of testing.
Deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

O Lord, let my soul rise to meet You as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the sun, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Matthew 15:1-20 (ESV)
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Our Father, who is in Heaven, most holy is Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into a time of testing.
Deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

• The Church, the Bride of Christ, for purity & purpose
• The Nation and all in authority at every level
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble
– Ephesians 3:20,21

• The Church, the Bride of Christ, for purity & purpose
• The Nation and all in authority at every level
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble

• The Church, the Bride of Christ, for purity & purpose
• The Nation and all in authority at every level
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble

• The Church, the Bride of Christ, for purity & purpose
• The Nation and all in authority at every level
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble

Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
• The Church, the Bride of Christ, for purity & purpose
• The Nation and all in authority at every level
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble



Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
• The Universal Church, its members, and its mission
• The Nation and all in authority
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Corinthians 13:14
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Most merciful God, it’s true we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name.
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
• The Universal Church, its members, and its mission
• The Nation and all in authority
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Prayer & Readings for May 11
Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57
Most merciful God, it’s true we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name.
You, Oh Lord, have seen our needs. You show us mercy, and forgive our sins, and reconcile us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Strengthen us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, all our days.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Alleluia and Amen!
Matthew 15:1-20
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Our Father in heaven, holy is your name,your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into testing, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Show us your mercy, O Lord; And grant us your salvation. Clothe your servants with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care; And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
• The Nation and all in authority
• The welfare of the world
• The concerns of the local community
• Those who suffer and those in any trouble
Almighty God, to truly know You is everlasting life: Help us to know Your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may loyally follow in His steps to eternal life; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13). Alleluia and Amen!
Wool-Gathering or Praise Giving?
Matthew 6:5-8 (New Living Translation)
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
The Lord is not condemning all public prayer just insincere public prayer. But we’ll focus on the private prayer part this morning. First, there’s the assumption that as a follower of Christ we will pray. It’s not “if you pray” but “when you pray.” Notice how intentional we must be to follow these instructions. Don’t just get by yourself, also shut the door behind you. Then the idea is to focus all your attention on the Father. Alone in the quietness of the moment with every intention of focusing our minds on God we find that everything other than God comes to mind. Oswald Chambers writes, “Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer.”
To wool-gather is to indulge in aimless thoughts or daydreams. And our Lord invites us to pray to the Father. If our minds are prone to wool-gathering then our first prayer to the Father can be, “My God, instead of a wool-gatherer I want to be a praise-giver. Help, Lord!”
Prayer: My God, instead of a wool-gatherer I want to be a praise-giver. Help, Lord! Focus my attention on Your magnificence! Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to You. You, O Lord, are our spiritual Bridegroom. You, O Lord, are Jehovah’s Fellow. You, O Lord, are the sinner’s friend.
Help me Lord to consider the stark contrast between Your glory and my unworthiness, Your majesty and my meanness, Your beauty and my deformity, Your purity and my guilt, Your righteousness and my sinfulness.
Your love for me in Jesus Christ overcomes any contrast between You and me. You love me with an everlasting, unchanging love. Help me to love You as You love me.
You have given Yourself for me, may I give myself to You.
You have died for me, may I live for You, in every moment of my time, in every moment of my mind, in every pulse of my heart.