Sabbath Keeping
“Let people seek this and that; Let
them get praise a thousand thousand times; But keep your own ego out of the
way, recalling that God alone is your pleasure and honor. Your only wish then?
Whether in life or death, point to God’s glory.” —Thomas á Kempis
Opening Prayer
O God, you have prepared for those
who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our
hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all
things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 225)
John 15:9-17
“I’ve loved you the way my Father
has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands,
you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my
Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.
“I’ve told you these things for a
purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my
command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to
love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you
do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because
servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve
named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the
Father.
“You didn’t choose me, remember; I
chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As
fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
“But remember the root command:
Love one another.” The Message
Prayer of Response
O God, Father, moment by moment you
hold us in being; on you we depend. O God, eternal Son, friend and brother
beside us, in you we trust. O God, Holy Spirit, life and love within us, from
you we live. O God, beyond us, God beside us, God within us; Father, Son, and
Holy spirit, three persons in one God, you are ever to be worshipped and
adored. Amen.
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