Genesis 1-3 

Who are we, where did we come from, what happened to us? These are the questions that help us shape our identity. When we fail to address these questions, we can easily get lost in our consumerism or enslaved by life’s hardships. Because of their significance, these are the very questions we find in the opening pages of the Bible. Genesis one describes us as the pinnacle of God’s creative handiwork. People are made in God’s image to live in God’s world and fulfill God’s purpose. Our significance is found in his design and desire for relationship with us. In Genesis two we learn that God knows us individually and personally. Men and women are made for community. And the intent of marriage – companionship, intimacy and children – requires the devotion of “leaving and cleaving.” Genesis three describes what happened to us. Our first parents believed a lie and resisted God’s truth. The result was shame, guilt, despair and death – for Adam and Eve and for their posterity. We continually experience the effects of this brokenness in our minds, our bodies, our relationships, our spirituality, and the environment.

As I read these chapters in Genesis today, I was reminded that I am called by God to live out his image as a steward of unique gifts and abilities. He has created me to bless others and the world around me in my decisions and behavior. Discovery, management, cultivation, creativity, learning, loving, communicating, and blessing: these are the tasks God has called me to engage in and to enjoy. Whether in my service as a pastor, my care for my neighbor, or my role as a husband, I am called to live before God in responsibility, grace, initiative and kindness. My shame, guilt, discouragement and eventual death become for me the arena for God’s grace to be at work in and through me.  Lord, help me to maximize the time and space afforded to me. I desire to glorify you in the way I conduct myself. May your word and its directives give me focus for my waking hours each day. And may I avoid the trap of consumerism and the enslavement that flows from hardships and self pity. May I give my best to leading and working with others in the life of the church. May I love my neighbor as myself. And may I hold fast to my wife, rejoicing in the tender partnership we enjoy together. It is in you, Father, I want to live and move and have my being. In the name of Christ, Amen.

Blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all they do they prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature through the gospel: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. From the Book of Common Prayer

December 23, 2011

Dear Friend of Valley Springs,

2011 CLOSES. As a church family we have walked with one another through joys and sorrows, births and deaths, highs and lows, successes and failures. I want to express my personal appreciation for the care so many of you extended to me in the death of my mother; and the care you gave to others who also experienced significant loss during 2011. The grace and mercy of God flows through the love of his people. Thank you for being a family to one another!

NEW MINISTRY INITIATIVES! In the area of church planting: we sent the Carpenters to Chicago; we began Sunday night Vespers in Sacramento; and we’re supporting a pastor to launch a new congregation in Vacaville. In our immediate area: we have reached out with God’s love to neighborhoods at-risk in cooperation with the Campus Life Barn, we’ve deployed VS’s Compassion Team with trained Care Ministers and Chaplains, and we’ve loved on families in financial crisis and made headway on our church’s facility debt reduction. In addition, this has been a year of conversions to Christ, people coming back to Christ who had drifted, outreaches such as Feed My Starving Children, mission trips, and much generosity in time, talent, and treasure. So much to give thanks for!

END-OF-YEAR GIVING.  General Fund giving has been consistently stronger this year than in recent history. The result is that we are presently within $7,000 of meeting our original budget income goal. This is very encouraging, and we thank the Lord. At the same time, because of an additional $8,000 of budgeted Vespers expenses, we actually need $15,000 plus $34,020 (budgeted income for this weekend), for a total of $49,020 before the end of the year. If you can give a special gift, or if you are behind in your giving, please be generous. And pray that God will enable us to close this gap over the next eight days. There will be Year-End-Gift boxes at the Christmas Eve services (at the doors), and an offering plate will be passed around at the Christmas Day service. Also, our office will be open Tuesday through Friday noon next week.

“HEART OF VALLEY SPRINGS”  Our leadership team continues to diligently pray and discuss our vision of growth in discipleship, effective local evangelism, increased community life, financial health, and impacting the world with the gospel. One specific realization is the need for a Ministry Pastor who will work closely with me to oversee and give careful attention to improving the various ministries of our congregation. We asked God to provide, and he has! In 2012 a new pastor will join our staff. His name is Brad Anderson. He and his wife Dana have four children and presently live in St. Louis, MO. He is gifted and experienced in team building, strategic planning, administration, and pastoral care. He’s also a good preacher with a delightful family. God’s faithfulness is so evident. You’ll hear more soon! Please pray for the Andersons and our new relationship with them. Your prayers are powerful!

THREE CANDLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: 5:30, 7:00 and 10:30pm. There will be a children’s lesson and child care for toddlers and nursery at the 5:30 and 7:00 services only.

ONE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE: 10:00am. Special fun and kid-oriented lessons in the service for all children. There will also be child care for toddlers and nursery.

ONE NEW YEARS DAY SERVICE: 10:00am. A service of testimonies and praise.  Child care for nursery through kinders as well as normal programming for grades 1-5. (No Saturday service New Years Eve.)

The leaders and staff wish you a blessed Christmas weekend.

In Christ,
David George

Psalm 107:43

Psalm 107 is a litany of those who lost their way in the midst of the busyness of their lives. In every case they “forgot” God. They failed to keep their “true north” in view. Life became unmanageable, unreal, or meaningless. And then, when they “remembered” God, they were restored. They were found again. They knew who they were and to whom they belonged.

For many believers, this is a common scenario. When we first come to faith (often in the challenge of trials), God becomes very important to us. He is the center of our lives. We are thankful for his deliverance and are conscious of his daily provision. But then, little by little, we get caught up in our hopes, our careers, our relationships, our self-centeredness, our distractions, our anxieties and our sins. This is when we “forget” God.

Psalm 107 provides perspective and an antidote to help us recognize our “God forgetfulness.” It teaches us how to step back and consider where we are, where we’re headed, and how to reconnect with our Maker and Redeemer. Verse 43 counsels us to stop and get reintroduced to the steadfast love of the Lord. Those who are wise consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

How does this work in my life? My propensity to “forget” God is usually around the pull of earthly comforts, personal pleasure, self focus, disdain of others, fear of insignificance, skepticism, materialism…  You know the list. It can go on and on.

The real question is how do I fight this “forgetfulness”? First, I need to intentionally remember God by calling to mind his faithfulness and appreciating him. What has he done for me and others? How has he brought me to where I am? What gifts do I enjoy simply because of his good pleasure? How can I be thankful instead of simply taking these gifts for granted? What can I do so that his ways inform my ways; his vision transforms my vision; his righteousness reforms my righteousness?

Second, if I am going to move out of my “forgetfulness”, I need clearly gospel-centered passages to help me redirect my thinking. It’s when I actively use Scripture to push the truth of gospel belief and behavior into my consciousness that I experience change. Hebrews 12:1-3 is such a passage. I try to meditate on it phrase by phrase, often using several translations:
    “...since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…”(ESV)
    “...since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…”(NLT)

Who makes up this “cloud” – or “crowd” – that is to influence me? Hebrews 11 begins by naming Abel who trusted God. In contrast, his brother Cain charted his own course of behavior. Behind Abel’s God-ward behavior was a belief in God, his grace and promises, which shaped his response to God. But Cain “refused” (NLT) to do what was right because he did not trust that God’s grace and promises were better (Gen 4:7). He failed to bring his whole self to God. Instead, his offering was either perfunctory, greedy, or may be intentionally disobedient. But unlike Cain, Abel made room for God’s abundant grace in his heart.

Third, I take these simple observations about Abel and Cain and begin praying them into my life. Father, what is it about your steadfast love that moved Abel and the other ancients toward you and your grace? For me it is the person and work of Jesus - my redeemer, shepherd, friend, advocate, and lord. He is “the steadfast love of the Lord”. He gave his life for me, and now I am part of your cosmic renewal. Thank you for him. Remake me, forgive me, restore me, and equip me by the power of your Spirit. I want to worship you by living in the grace of Christ and yielding my gifts to bless those around me. Help me simplify my priorities so that you and your ways are at the center. Lord, be glorified in me this day. Amen

David George / This past weekend, I opened my sermon with a number of probing questions about the emotional, social and spiritual legacy from the home we grew up in. I saw these questions at the Focus on the Family website. Well-conceived questions have a way of taking us to places we might not otherwise go. Carefully formulated questions can open us to think about our life, our past, and our choices in fresh ways.

Our new sermon series during the season of Lent - Jesus’ Life-Giving Questions - is aimed at shaping our personal discipleship through Jesus’ questions. Jesus challenged and comforted both friends and enemies through the questions he asked: questions about their fears, needs, presuppositions, and foundation for their faith. Jesus’ first disciples were trained by his questions. “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) His questions created space in their thinking and opened them to see life through Jesus’ eyes. As a result, they became fruitful bearers of the gospel, and the church grew and took root. My prayer for myself and all those who partner in this journey is to experience how Jesus’ questions teach and transform us by leading us to him.

Heavenly Father, I pray that in Jesus’ questions the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the glorious inheritance I have in community with your people, and your incomparably great power for all who believe. May my life be fruitful in doing the works of love and mercy you have prepared in advance. Amen

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen The Book of Common Prayer (Last Sunday after the Epiphany)

Colossians 3:10

Today my mom’s remains were buried in the grave next to my dad’s. For me it’s been a day of grief, introspection, and doxology. Saying good-bye with such finality to someone who loved me as well as she did. Since her death on December 31^st I’ve missed her every day: our daily phone conversations in which she shared stories of her routine and interactions; conversing with her about my hopes and challenges; and always anticipating my next visit with her. But today’s interment overwhelms me with a deep sense of aloneness. She’s gone, and I miss her! This morning I read from Genesis 50 that when Jacob died, Joseph “threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him.”  And they “mourned for him seventy days.”  Then at his burial Joseph and his brothers “lamented loudly and bitterly.”  O the loss of a parent who loved you!

At her memorial service on January 4^th, my brother and I read a reflection on her life which ended with these words: “To conclude, as children of two remarkable parents -- Ronnie and Manny George -- we are most fortunate to be benefiting from their faith, wisdom, vision and work ethic, which they shared not only with us and their grandchildren and great grandchildren, but with every person and organization with whom they interacted.  At her advanced age, one of her great delights was the heritage of sincere faith from her and Manny’s parents to their children, to their children’s children, and modeled before their great grandchildren. The evening before Mom died, she told her us that she knows where she is going, that she is ready through her faith in Jesus, and that she is in God’s safe keeping.  Veronica -- your name means ‘true image’ -- and you are now 'maging' the glory of God in his presence. For this, and for you, we thank our Lord.  Amen!”

A doxology whelms up within me is as I remember God’s covenant grace in her life and therefore in mine. During her life she was being renewed after the image of her Creator through the work of Christ on her behalf (Colossians 3:10). And now she is “truly imaging” the glory of God in her heavenly state. O the joy of redemption’s trajectory!

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy on me. Amen  from Rev. John Stott’s “Daily Prayer” which my mother inscribed on the inside cover of her daily reading Bible

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our sister Veronica Mather Hansel George, and we commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious to her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen  from the Burial Service in The Book of Common Prayer

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

My daughter Emily just emailed me from the Chicago Theater where she and her husband are attending a Sufjan Stevens concert. She attached a couple of pictures of the theater and said, “Dad, you’d love this theater!” What follows in this blog is my response: “O, indeed I would  -  in fact I do, even though I've never been there! Your two pictures indicate that they have preserved the theater’s splendor well. What a setting to experience a Sufjan concert! Enjoy every minute of it!

“Emily, I am here on the back patio reflecting on the Glory of which the architecture that surrounds you and the music that speaks to you are only a ‘rumor’. That Glory which shall be ours when the ‘Perfection’ (Completion) comes, when we shall see Him and one another ‘Face to Face’, when we shall ‘Know Fully even as we have been Fully Known’. C.S. Lewis' 1941 sermon at Oxford called The Weight of Glory is stirring my mind to better appreciate what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 about the Glory of the coming World of Love, the text and topic of this weekend’s sermon. And I want to effectively communicate it somehow to our congregation.

“Lewis challenges us to see in the wonder of human friendships, the songs of delight, the breath-taking sunsets, the thrill that follows accomplishing some great feat, etc.  -  all the experiences we call ‘beauty’ and ‘glory’ which eventually fade  -  to see in these the hints of what we were truly made for by God, what awaits us in the coming World of Love: delighting in His presence, experiencing His welcome, feeling His embrace, and being fully loved and fully loving every one and every thing around us.

“Lewis writes, ‘For they [the things of beauty and glory in our present experience] are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited... The leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in... For Glory means acceptance by God, response, acknowledgment, and welcome into the heart of things. The door upon which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last... What would it be like to taste at the Fountainhead that stream of which even these lower reaches [the things of beauty and glory in our present experience] prove so intoxicating? Yet that, I believe, is what lies before us.’"

Father in Heaven, help me to fully enjoy all the gifts of beauty and glory you graciously permit me to experience  -  friendship, health, food, color, culture, humor, feats of valor and human accomplishment. May I enjoy these gifts as from you, for everything you created is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. But may I see in these things, and through these things, the good that awaits me in your presence when Jesus returns to renew everything. May I not mistake these present gifts for the real thing. May they not become idols. For they are not the thing itself. You are. Direct my discipleship around the grace of Jesus, his life, death, resurrection, and coming Glory. May I live fully today because of the fullness that awaits me. And may you use me to prepare others to experience the coming World of Love through the gospel of Christ. Amen

O Lord, all things in this world are gifts from you, presented to us so that we can know you more. Help us make a return of love to you and others through all these gifts. And may we appreciate and use these gifts insofar as they help us to become more loving persons. But if and when any of these gifts become the center of our lives, they displace you and hinder our growth in you. Deliver us by your grace. In the name of Christ. Amen 
Adapted, St. Ignatius, Bishop and Martyr, AD 115. The Church honors his life each Oct. 17^th.

Isaiah 30:15

Today I read these words from Martha James entitled, God’s Lead: A Devotional. A beautiful picture of our “dance with God” -

“He made eye contact with me. Startled at his advance toward me and the taking of my hand, I let myself be pulled to the center. Encircled around us, our friends and some strangers watched in anticipation. I was confused as to why he chose me. I had not learned the correct steps. Anxiety pulsed through me as he placed his hand on my waist and asked for my right to accompany his left. I wanted to warn the hollowed floors beneath our feet of the hurricane that would soon ensue.

“I quietly reminded him that I did not know the steps. He looked at me with gentle calmness and replied, “Confidence, Martha.” After a brief moment of silence, interrupted by my deep breath, the music commenced. The tango tune coming from a small radio in the far corner prompted his first step. He led me forward, to the side, and then back, never losing focus. His eyes were locked on mine. In that moment, he guided me. There was no flaw in his movements. I felt secure.

“God is asking for my hand every day. He desires to take me out of my comfortable state and solicits for my dependency. There is no hesitation in his strength as he holds me close. He knows every step perfectly and will not let me fall. I am graceful and elegant because of His determination to make me so.

“He whispers confidence in my ears and my anxiety compares nothing to His peace. I am overwhelmed by His longing to dance with me. He chose me. Without His presence I stand still, motionless, without hope. The act of dancing by myself or to my own steps is futile. Looking into my soul, He reminds me of the trust that I am lacking and therefore need. Nothing wavers His steps.

“I hear the beckoning of my love. He wants to lead me into a place of peace and rest with careful precision and with my faith solely in Him.”

I responded with these words: Martha, I am moved by what you wrote. With such clarity and graphic imagery, you drew me in to your emotions and surrender. Your “letting him lead” story is a wonderful parable that helps me focus on the Lord’s care for me and my response of trust, love and peace. We miss you here in Rocklin. Your pastor.

Lord, may I know this day that in quietness and trust is your strength in my life (Isaiah 30:15); and that in returning and rest I am saved. Grant me grace to be quiet before you more, to rest in Christ’s love simply, and to return to mercy again and again and again. Kyrie Eleison.

A Prayer for Holy Cross Day, September 14: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
(The Book of Common Prayer)

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Today is my dad's birthday. He finished his race eleven years ago this month. If he were still with us, he would be 99. The longer I live, the more appreciative I am for his life as a faithful husband, a kind father, a loyal brother, and a steady Christian. He kept the faith. As in the words of the Apostle Paul when approaching his end, Emmanuel John George fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. There is laid up for my dad the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to him on that Day, and not only to my dad, but also to all who have loved Christ's appearing.

Lord, help me focus my daily goals around simple convictions and behaviors: faithfulness to my wife, kindness to my children and grandchildren, responsive to the needs of those around me, and love for Christ's appearing, his gospel, and his kingdom. Until my departure, may David, the son of Emmanuel, be a man of God who is equipped for every good work. Amen

"It is not you who shapes God, but God who shapes you. You are the work of God, so await the hand of the Artist. Offer him your heart  -  soft and pliable. Let your clay be moist, lest you grow hard and lose the imprint of his fingers."
St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon and Teacher of the Faith, died June 28, AD 202

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Christian hope is one of the themes of my personal spiritual formation in 2010. What is hope’s power and how is it unleashed in a person’s life? I began the year reflecting on 1 Peter 1:3  -  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” In embracing the gospel we have been re-born into an experience of living hope. And it is the resurrection of Jesus that enables us and motivates us toward vibrant hope no matter what is going on around us or in us.

Today I read another verse on hope, Romans 15:13. It underscores several important gospel realities: God (who is called the God of hope) is the one who fills us with joy and peace; this he does as we believe afresh in the gospel; the result of such belief is a kind of hope that abounds in our lives; and the Person who produces this hope is the Holy Spirit at work within us.

The main lesson for me is this: Actively believe the gospel no matter what is happening around me, to me or in me. In the moment of crisis, whatever is going on, I must review what the gospel actually is (notitia); then agree with its truth and relevance (assensus); finally entrust myself again to God’s grace and lordship in Christ (fiducia). Romans 15:13 tells us that God will fill us with his peace and his joy as we thus believe. And the result of this is abounding hope, uniquely produced by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, thank you that your abounding hope is assured to all who actively believe your gospel. You are the God of hope - for me and for the whole world. Because of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension, there is complete and full redemption. May I moment-by-moment pursue you for my delight. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art -  thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. Help me catch myself when I believe the lie or pursue any other vision for my wholeness. You are my health, my wisdom, my true word, my great Father, my battle shield, my dignity, my soul’s shelter, my high tower, my power, my inheritance, and my treasure. May your joy and peace fill me as I believe, so that I may continually abound in hope. Amen

 
A Prayer on Ascension Day: Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (The Book of Common Prayer)

Psalm 69:13

“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.” King David knew how to cry out to God. As a person “after God’s own heart” David found himself calling upon his God in good times and in bad. Prayer was a regular part of his walk. But especially when life seemed against him, he persistently presented his requests and laments before the Lord. Many of his psalms express this, and particularly Psalm 69.

Psalm 69 is unique in that it looks back and looks ahead in the flow of Biblical history to times of trial and fear in the lives of God’s people. Phrases like “Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies… Let not the flood sweep over me...” (vss 14-15) recall the exodus from Egypt when Israel crossed over on dry land fearing the Egyptian army chasing after them. They experienced God’s deliverance when in their fear “the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.” (Ex 14:10)

Psalm 69:4 seems to anticipate a later point in Biblical history when rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem was opposed during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah: “Many are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies.” (vs 4) For over 100 years their efforts to rebuild were interrupted time and again by those who hated them. As discouraging as their enemies were, this band of returning exiles trusted the Lord, looked to their leaders, and eventually completed the project. “Fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings to the LORD morning and evening.” (Ezra 3:3) In their distress they called upon the Lord. And God heard and answered their prayers over and over again during the 100 years of opposition.

In the life and trials of Jesus, Psalm 69 became the backdrop for his suffering and his trust in his Father: “Zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me” (vs 9); “I looked for pity, but there was none… for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” (vss 20-21) Jesus continually poured out his heart to his Father in the midst of the most severe tribulation. And he counselled his disciples that in their times of trial they would need to rely on the Spirit through prayer. In this context Jesus quoted Psalm 69:4, “They hated me without a cause,” forewarning his disciples that they would face the same abuse. (John 15:20,25)

What is the lesson from Psalm 69? Life is full of challenges. Our best visions and hopes are often interrupted by unforeseen circumstances and conflicts, disagreements within the church, opposition from those who don’t believe, and personal inabilities and flaws. These are the things that discourage us and tempt us to give up. But the laments of King David, the prayers of Israel as they feared an army behind them, the trust of those who rebuilt the Temple in the midst of opposition, and ultimately Jesus himself instruct us to call upon the name of the Lord. Prayer is God’s primary means of leading us into renewal and hope. Make it primary in your life. “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD!”

Lord, remind me at this moment and through out my day that you are my God. I can turn to you with any fear, anxiety, sorrow, uncertainty, complexity, or sense of loss. Like your servants of old, may I draw on your power to replace discouragement by hope, and the grip of confusion by wisdom. Help me in my prayers to sincerely affirm the redemption of this world wrought through Jesus Christ. In this way give me a fresh vision of my role in the ultimate defeat of all evil and a fresh vision of your Glory finally revealed when all flesh shall see it together. May your Holy Spirit faithfully lead me to step into your presence this day through frequent prayers and immersion in the truth of your word. Shape me more and more by the gospel into the image of your Son. Amen

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom:  Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen