{"id":15143,"date":"2024-03-22T16:46:19","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T11:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/22\/a-guide-for-your-personal-worship-entering-holy-week\/"},"modified":"2024-03-22T16:46:19","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T11:16:19","slug":"a-guide-for-your-personal-worship-entering-holy-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/22\/a-guide-for-your-personal-worship-entering-holy-week\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide for Your Personal Worship Entering Holy Week"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The following is a sample day\u2019s readings from<\/em> O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to Pentecost<\/a>, a 48-day devotional liturgy to help readers effectively prepare their hearts from Pascha (Easter) to Pentecost<\/em>.<\/p>\n

A Liturgy for Remembering Christ\u2019s Life, Death, and Resurrection<\/h2>\n

Since the beginning of time, it has been God\u2019s plan to fill heaven and earth with the praise of his name. By grace, we have been swept up into this plan through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. A liturgy of daily worship aims to help us worship God by meditating on the great work of his salvation as revealed in the person of his Son.<\/p>\n

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. (Ps. 145:5)<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"O<\/p>\n

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Jonathan Gibson<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/em>
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For individuals and families, this 48-day liturgical devotional guides readers through Pascha (Easter), Holy Week, and Pentecost\u2014helping them retain their focus on the saving work of Christ throughout his temptations, life, trial, passion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Meditation<\/em><\/h2>\n

Reflect on these words about the passion of the Lord Jesus<\/em>:<\/p>\n

He stretched out his hands on the cross, that he might embrace the ends of the world; for this Golgotha is the very center of the earth.
Cyril of Jerusalem<\/em><\/p>\n

Call to Worship<\/em><\/h2>\n

Hear God call you to worship through his word<\/em>:<\/p>\n

You ascended on high,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 dwell there.<\/p>\n

Blessed be the Lord,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 who daily bears us up;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 God is our salvation. Selah<\/em>
Psalm 68:18\u201319<\/em><\/p>\n

Adoration<\/em><\/h2>\n

Say or sing this praise to God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Praise the Savior now and ever;
praise him, all beneath the skies;
prostrate lying, suff\u2019ring, dying
on the cross, a sacrifice.
Victory gaining, life obtaining,
now in glory he doth rise.<\/p>\n

Man\u2019s work faileth, Christ\u2019s availeth;
he is all our righteousness;
he, our Savior, has forever
set us free from dire distress.
Thro\u2019 his merit we inherit
light and peace and happiness.<\/p>\n

Sin\u2019s bonds severed, we\u2019re delivered;
Christ has bruised the serpent\u2019s head;
death no longer is the stronger;
hell itself is captive led.
Christ has risen from death\u2019s prison;
o\u2019er the tomb he light has shed.<\/p>\n

For his favor, praise forever
unto God the Father sing;
praise the Savior, praise him ever,
Son of God, our Lord and King.
Praise the Spirit; thro\u2019 Christ\u2019s merit
he doth us salvation bring.
Venantius Honorius Fortunatus<\/em><\/p>\n

Reading of the Law<\/em><\/h2>\n

Hear God\u2019s law as his will for your life<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Our Lord Jesus said,<\/p>\n

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness\u2019 sake,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3\u201310<\/em><\/p>\n

Confession of Sin<\/em><\/h2>\n

Confess your sins to God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

O Lord, you have mercy upon all\u2014take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you, to follow and to enjoy you, for Christ\u2019s sake. Amen.
Ambrose<\/em><\/p>\n

Assurance of Pardon<\/em><\/h2>\n

Receive these words of comfort from God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16<\/em><\/p>\n

Nicene Creed<\/em><\/h2>\n

Confess what you believe about the Christian faith<\/em>:<\/p>\n

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.<\/p>\n

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 begotten of the Father before all worlds;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 by whom all things were made.<\/p>\n

Who, for us men and for our salvation,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 came down from heaven
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and was made man;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 he suffered and was buried;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and he shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 whose kingdom shall have no end.<\/p>\n

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 who spoke by the prophets.<\/p>\n

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and I look for the resurrection of the dead,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and the life of the world to come. Amen.<\/p>\n

Praise<\/em><\/h2>\n

Say or sing this praise to God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Glory be to the Father,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and to the Son,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 is now and ever shall be,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 world without end. Amen.
Gloria Patri<\/em><\/p>\n

Catechism<\/em><\/h2>\n

Receive this instruction from the Heidelberg Catechism<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Q. 29. Why is the Son of God called \u201cJesus,\u201d meaning \u201csavior\u201d?<\/em><\/p>\n

A. Because he saves us from our sins; and because salvation is not to be sought or found in anyone else.<\/p>\n

Prayer for Illumination<\/em><\/h2>\n

As you read his word, ask God to enlighten your mind and heart<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Lord, you know what distracted hearts we have, O give us self-recollection; you know what hard, dead hearts we have, O touch and awaken us! You know how we yet resist your Word and our lower nature is reluctant to bow to your scepter; therefore, O Lord, show forth your power; send your Spirit on high to work among us, to make our hearts submissive, and ourselves capable of living in true union with you, our salvation, and of yielding totally to your grace. Amen.
Gerhard Tersteegen<\/em><\/p>\n

Scripture Reading<\/em><\/h2>\n

Read this portion of God\u2019s word: Psalm 24<\/em><\/p>\n

The King of Glory<\/em><\/p>\n

1<\/sup> The earth is the LORD\u2019s and the fullness thereof,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 the world and those who dwell therein,
2<\/sup> for he has founded it upon the seas
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and established it upon the rivers.<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 And who shall stand in his holy place?
4<\/sup> He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 who does not lift up his soul to what is false
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and does not swear deceitfully.
5<\/sup> He will receive blessing from the LORD
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6<\/sup> Such is the generation of those who seek him,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah (ESV)<\/p>\n

7<\/sup> Lift up your heads, O gates!
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 that the King of glory may come in.
8<\/sup> Who is this King of glory?
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The LORD, strong and mighty,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 the LORD, mighty in battle!
9<\/sup> Lift up your heads, O gates!
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 And lift them up, O ancient doors,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 that the King of glory may come in.
10<\/sup> Who is this King of glory?
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The LORD of hosts,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 he is the King of glory! Selah<\/em><\/p>\n

Prayer of Reflection<\/em><\/h2>\n

Say or sing this prayer to God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Savior, when in dust to Thee
Low we bow the adoring knee;
When, repentant, to the skies
Scarce we lift our weeping eyes,
O by all Thy pains and woe
Suffered once for man below,
Bending from Thy throne on high,
Hear our penitential cry! Amen.
Robert Grant<\/em><\/p>\n

Prayer of Intercession<\/em><\/h2>\n

As you make your requests to God, pray this prayer<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Lord, without you I can do nothing; with you I can do all. Help me by your grace, that I fall not; help me by your strength, to resist mightily the very first beginnings of evil, before it takes hold of me; help me to cast myself at once at your sacred feet, and lie still there, until storm be overpast; and, if I lose sight of you, bring me back quickly to you, and grant me to love you better. Amen.
E. B. Pusey<\/em><\/p>\n

Lord\u2019s Prayer<\/em><\/h2>\n

In closing, pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Our Father in heaven,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 hallowed be your name;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 your kingdom come;
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Give us this day our daily bread.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and the glory, forever. Amen.<\/p>\n

Benediction<\/em><\/h2>\n

Receive by faith this blessing from God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14<\/em><\/p>\n

Postlude<\/em><\/h2>\n

In closing, say or sing this praise to God<\/em>:<\/p>\n

His Name for ever shall endure,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 last like the sun it shall;
Men shall be blessed in Him, and blessed
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 all nations shall Him call.<\/p>\n

Now bless\u00e8d be the Lord, our God,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 the God of Israel,
For He alone does wondrous works,
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 in glory that excel.<\/p>\n

And bless\u00e8d be His glorious Name
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 to all eternity;
The whole earth let His glory fill.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Amen, so let it be.
Based on Psalm 72:17\u201319<\/em><\/p>\n

This article is adapted from<\/em> O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to Pentecost<\/a> by Jonathan Gibson.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"Jonathan<\/p>\n

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Jonathan Gibson<\/strong> (PhD, University of Cambridge) is an ordained minister in the International Presbyterian Church, United Kingdom, and associate professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a coeditor of and contributor to From Heaven He Came and Sought Her<\/em> and author of Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship<\/em>. Jonny and his wife, Jackie, have four children.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

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