Ephesians on Compassion

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Adapted from “The Precious Blood” in The Valley of Vision

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 51:1-2, Luke 23:39-43, Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 53:5

Leader: Blessed Lord Jesus, before your cross I kneel and see the heinousness of my sin, my iniquity that caused you to be made a curse, the evil that provokes divine wrath. All: Show me the enormit...

illustration

What A Return to God’s Mercy Really Meant

Author

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 15:20-24, Psalm 51:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, Isaiah 55:7, Micah 7:18-19, Romans 5:8

Rembrandt painted the picture of the prodigal son between 1665 and 1667, at the end of his life. As a young painter, he was popular in Amsterdam and successful with commissions to do portraits of all ...

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Heavenly Father, by your love and kindness, you saved us.

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Titus 3:3-5, Ephesians 2:7-8, Colossians 3:12, Titus 3:4-5, Romans 5:8

Leader: Heavenly Father, by your love and kindness, you saved us. Not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of your great mercy. People: Teach us to more fully understand your ...

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Blessing Ministry Event or Initiative

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:35-40, John 6:1-14, Zechariah 4:6, Judges 6:11-16, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Acts 4:32-35, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Proverbs 16:3, Nehemiah 2:17-20, Philippians 4:19, Acts 18:1-4, Ephesians 2:14, John 4:4-26

This blessing includes prayers for the initiative/event itself, the volunteers for the event, the leaders organizing the event, the resources to be distributed at the event, and any community partners...

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For the Human Family

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Scripture

Ephesians 2:14

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the ...

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Prayer of Adoration Lord – Creator,

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Scripture

Luke 19:10, Ezekiel 34:16, Psalm 103:2-3, Isaiah 53:5, John 9:1-41, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5

Prayer of Adoration Lord – Creator, Savior and Sustainer: You called our names and we answered. When we were lost – You found us. When we were sick – You healed us. When we were blind – You open...

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In our prayers this morning, when I

Author

Richard Herman

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 52:7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Micah 4:3-4, Ephesians 2:14

In our prayers this morning, when I say, “Lord of all glory,” please respond by saying “Hear our prayer”. Lord of all glory... hear our prayer . Our God speaks tenderly to His people and cares for th...

lectionary

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Dustin Ray

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:3, Romans 5:10, Luke 5:31, Matthew 10:30, 1 Peter 5:8, Psalm 73:4-7, 13, 18-20

Preaching Commentary Preaching Angle: Wheat and Weeds Grow Even in the Church God’s good creation grows food for all living creatures. God made the Earth, God made all the plants, and God made all ...

blog

A Violent Man Gentled by Grace: Abba Moses the Black

Author

Bill Gaultiere

Scripture

Mark 14:36, Colossians 3:12, Matthew 6:1, Philippians 2:6-11, Romans 1:1, Isaiah 53:7, Mark 14:61, 1 Timothy 1:15, Ephesians 2:8, Luke 18:10-14, Matthew 5:23-24, Mark 7:8, Matthew 7:1-6, Matthew 16:52

Gentled by grace. That’s the incredible and inspiring story of Abba Moses the Black. He was a violent thief who became a humble and kind monk and one of the great Desert Fathers who served the Lord ...

Quote

Author

Desmond Tutu

Keywords

Scripture

Ephesians 2:14, Romans 14:17, Matthew 5:9, Zechariah 7:9-10, Psalm 85:10, Amos 5:24

There is no peace in Southern Africa. There is no peace because there is no justice. There can be no real peace and security until there be first justice enjoyed by all the inhabitants of that beautif...

liturgy

O my all-merciful God and Lord, Jesus

Author

John Chrysostom

Keywords

Scripture

Galatians 2:20, 1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:8, Titus 3:5, John 11:25-26, Ephesians 2:8-9

O my all-merciful God and Lord, Jesus Christ, full of pity: Through Your great love You came down and became incarnate in order to save everyone. O Savior, I ask You to save me by Your grace! If You ...

blog

What I Do When I Feel Stupid

Author

Bill Gaultiere

Scripture

Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:20

I feel stupid. Do you ever feel that way? People think I’m smart because I have a PhD in psychology and I’m blessed to have people like you listen to me. But in reality I often feel stupid. As far b...

Quote

Author

Charles Wesley

Keywords

Mercy

Scripture

Psalm 86:5, Isaiah 55:7, Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Micah 7:18

Depth of mercy! Can there be Mercy still reserved for me?

Quote

Author

Woodrow Kroll

Keywords

Mercy

Scripture

Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:4-5, Titus 3:5, Luke 18:13-14, James 2:13, Micah 7:18

Justice is for those who deserve it; mercy is for those who don't.

Quote

Author

Abraham Lincoln

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7, Luke 6:36-37, Romans 9:15, Ephesians 2:4-5, Titus 3:5

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.

liturgy

Repentance: Path to Genuine Love

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Deuteronomy 7:6-9, Ezekiel 16:1-14, Ephesians 2:4-9, Romans 3:20-24, Psalm 32:1-2, 5

Gracious God, you are quick to show us your love. yet we soon forget. We live as if we have to earn your love, perform in order to receive your approval, and succeed in order to receive a smile. These...

Quote

Author

David Dickson

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 103:11-12, Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:4-5, Psalm 36:5-6, Romans 5:20-21, Isaiah 55:7-9, Micah 7:18-19

Our mind cannot find a comparison too large for expressing the superabundant mercy of the Lord toward his people.

liturgy

Adapted from Lamentations 3:22-24 and Ephesians 2:11-22

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

Lamentations 3:22-24, Ephesians 2:11-22

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness. ‘The Lord is our portion,’ says our souls, ‘therefore, we will hop...

Quote

Author

John Chrysostom

Keywords

Scripture

Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 3:23-24, Luke 18:13-14, Psalm 51:1, James 2:13, 1 Peter 1:3

Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

lectionary

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

Author

Jacob Traeger

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 6:27-38, Isaiah 50:6, Lamentations 3:28-30, Psalm 37:null, Romans 5:7-8, Matthew 18:23-35, Deuteronomy 10:17-19, Leviticus 19:33-34, Ephesians 2:11-22, Galatians 3:28

Preaching Commentary The context Having addressed his disciples with the blessings and woes (6:20-26), Jesus now addresses the multitude of people (6:17, cf. 7:1). As with the blessings and woes, L...

liturgy

Loving God, you show us grace and

Author

Chip Hardwick

Keywords

Scripture

Micah 6:8, Hebrews 12:28, Ephesians 2:4-5, Colossians 3:13, Lamentations 3:22-23, Luke 15:11-32, Jonah 3:1-10

Loving God, you show us grace and mercy, again and again and again. You shower gifts on us that we could never earn, and you are slow to punish us when we most deserve it. All too often, we forget to ...

liturgy

Affirmation of Mission (based on Confession of 1967)

Scripture

Philippians 2:4-11, Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:42-45, Ephesians 2:10, John 13:12-17

Our mission is the mission of Jesus Christ. He lived as an ordinary human being. We will care for the common life of humanity. He served men and women. We are committed to working for human wel...

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Prayer of Confession: Jesus You are Our Peace

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Ephesians 2:11-22, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 14:23-29

Jesus You are our peace You proclaim it You create it You bring us near Without you there is No safety No belonging No nurturing No identity rooted beyond this dust Without you we are Anchorless St...

Quote

Author

Alexandre Dumas

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 103:13, Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:22-23, Lamentations 3:22-23, Luke 15:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 John 3:1

God is full of mercy for everyone, as He has been towards you. He is a father before He is a judge.

Quote

Author

Craig Dykstra And Dorothy Bass

Keywords

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 12:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Nehemiah 6:3, Matthew 6:33, Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 90:12

We long to see our lives whole, to know that they matter. We wonder whether our many activities might ever come together in a way of life that is good for ourselves and others. Lacking a vision of a l...

liturgy

Seeking Mercy Through Confession

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:22-25, Psalm 119:105, Luke 15:11-32, Isaiah 55:6-7 , Psalm 103:8-12 , Ephesians 2:8-9

Gracious God, you have given us all we need for life. You have provided instruction that gives you glory, serves others and satisfies us. Yet we have ignored your words. We have not done what you aske...

Quote

Author

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Keywords

Scripture

1 John 4:16, John 15:12-13, Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, John 17:21

The vision that Jesus gives us is this: That I am unconditionally loved, that I belong to God, and that I am a person who can really trust that. When I meet another person who also is rooted in the he...

Quote

Author

C.H. Lenski

Keywords

Scripture

Titus 3:4-5, Luke 23:39-43, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Romans 6:23, Matthew 20:1-16, Ephesians 2:8-9

The generosity and the magnanimity of God are so great that he accepts nothing from us without rewarding it beyond all computation. . . The vast disproportion existing between our work and God’s rewar...

illustration

Have you ever noticed how closely

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 2:18, Deuteronomy 7:6 , Isaiah 43:1, John 10:27-28, Ephesians 2:19, Psalm 100:3

Have you ever noticed how closely the words longing and belonging are connected? I’m not sure of their exact etymology, but I do believe that our deepest longing in life is to be-...

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An Appeal for Mercy at the Heart of our Faith

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

James 2:13, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:4-5, Lamentations 3:22-23, Matthew 5:7

When Johann Sebastian Bach sought to convey the heart of Christian truth through music, he chose the Mass as his foundation. His B Minor Mass begins with a heartfelt plea from the full chorus and orch...

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