2024 05 02

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (Tune: Mendelssohn - 3vv) [with lyrics for congregations]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IGP68i3JvU

Handel: Messiah, For unto us a child is born (Sir Colin Davis, Tenebrae, LSO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc

Luke 3:1-13 New King James Version

3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
     Holy Father, let your word come to your people in our day.

3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,
     Holy Spirit, call us all to repentance for the remission of our sins.

4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
     Jesus, please prepare your way in our hearts so that all our crooked ways may be made straight.

7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
     Holy Spirit, please help us bear the fruit of repentance.

9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
     LORD, much that seemed strong is being cut down.

10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
     Jesus, help us willingly share with those who lack.

12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
     Lord, taxes are being collected for no good purpose and people are fleeing the state; have mercy on us and call our rulers to repentance.

A Word Received: Pray for those who rule over you.

Albany Intercessor