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Sabbath Service
November 21, 2009This week, we continue building our worship service around the Gospel message, beginning with Matthew and following through John. The Hebrew scripture, Psalm,
and Epistle readings will attempt to complement the gospel reading each week. As most of us are either studying with a Torah teacher or attending Messianic Sabbath services,
either online or in person, we will leave the Parashat studies up to each individual or group
to do on their own or through these other sources. If you don’t have a place for Torah study, check the links at the bottom of the right hand column of the Home page on this website. We offer sources for printed studies for each of the weekly Torah portions.
Scriptures used in this service are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible,
with sacred names restored.Torah Reading: Genesis 25:19—28:9
Haftorah Reading: Malachi 1:1—2:7
Brit Chadasha: Romans 9:6-13(You may incorporate the Torah. Haftorah, and Brit Chadasha portions into the following service, or read them before, after, or at some point during your Sabbath observance.)
MESSIANIC OPENING (Others may drop down to “Call to Worship”)
(Written for families — modify parts for other small groups or for individuals)Lighting of Candles
The father says:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim … Through him all things were made … In him was life, and that life was the light of men. … The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1,3,14). Yahshua is ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12), the ‘true light that gives light to every man’ (John 1:9). Through him we are empowered to be lights in the world (Phil. 2:15). As we light these two Shabbat candles, we set this night apart unto Yahweh to remember that we are given both physical rest and spiritual rest through the gift of Yahweh by his Son, Yashua Messiah.
The mother lights two candles while saying this blessing:
Blessed are you, O Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who has set us apart by your Word and has called us to be the light of the world.Blessing Yahweh for the Wine
The father pours wine into a cup, and holds it up, saying:
Wine represents to us the joy that we have in knowing that through the shed blood of Yahshua we have ceased from our labors and entered into his rest. Through it we remember the price that he paid for our redemption.
The father prays this blessing:
Blessed are you, O Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
All partake of the cup.Blessing Yahweh for the Bread
The father holds up the bread, saying:
Bread reminds us that we have shared the true bread from heaven in the person of Yahshua, our Master.
The father prays this blessing:
Blessed are you, O Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
All partake of the bread.Blessings on Wife, Husband, Sons, and Daughters
Sound the Shofar
Call to Worship
Arise, shine; for your light has come.
The glory of Elohim has risen among us.
We are awake; we are alive!
Praise Elohim for deliverance and blessings.
Lift up your eyes to see all around you.
Let your hearts rejoice, and be radiant with hope.
May justice water the earth like a shower;
let righteousness and peace abound.
Receive again the promises of the gospel.
Participate in the mystery of Yahshua Messiah.
Elohim’s ways are being revealed to us today.
Our worship proclaims the unsearchable riches of Messiah.
Hymn #140 (Blue Hymnal, piano accompaniment only)
O Come All Ye Faithful
Adeste Fideles
Trans. Frederick Oakeley, 1841, alt
J.F. Wade’s Cantus Diversi, 1751
O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Y’shua (Christ), the King (Lord)!
O sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation!
O sing, all ye bright hosts of heav’n above!
Glory to Yah (God), all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Y’shua (Christ), the King (Lord)!
Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning.
O Y’shua (Jesus), to Thee be all glory giv’n,
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Y’shua (Christ), the King (Lord)!
Opening Prayer
Eternal Elohim, because your purposes become clear to us in Yahshua Messiah, we come with boldness to claim our relationship with you. We are grateful for pioneers in the faith whose stewardship has salvaged for us a way of life rooted in the Torah. The flames you ignited in them have not gone out, in spite of our faithlessness. Your wisdom is still proclaimed in assemblies and among your children, challenging centers of earthly power with the claims of your truth. Today our search for meaning has led us to this time of worship. You are here; we rejoice! Amen.Gospel Reading
Matthew 2:1-23 RSV
1 Now when Yahshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘AND YOU, O BETHLEHEM, IN THE LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE RULERS OF JUDAH; FOR FROM YOU SHALL COME A RULER WHO WILL GOVERN MY PEOPLE ISRAEL’.”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared;
8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy;
11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of Yahweh appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt,
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what Yahweh had spoken by the prophet, “OUT OF EGYPT HAVE I CALLED MY SON.”
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WAILING AND LOUD LAMENTATION, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; SHE REFUSED TO BE CONSOLED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of Yahweh appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
20 “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
21 And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
23 And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “HE SHALL BE CALLED A NAZARENE.”
Prayer on the Word
Come, Messiah Yahshua, be our guest,
and may our lives by you be blest.Come, Elohim-with-us,
and free us from the false claims
of the empires of this world.
We are lonely for you and your peace.Come, Emmanuel, and dwell with us,
Make us your people indeed,
the people through whom you bring
love and justice to the world.Come, Yahshua, and reign;
Claim your rightful place in our hearts
and in the midst of our community.
Plant the seeds of hope among us.
Establish Elohim’s reign on earth.For we pray as you taught us
that Yahweh’s reign might come in fullness on earth.Hymn #124 (Blue Hymnal, piano accompaniment only)
Come, Thou Long-Expected Y’shua (Jesus)
Charles Wesley, 1744, 1747
Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1855
Come, Thou long expected Y’shua (Jesus) Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Come, Almighty, to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing, glory in Thy perfect love.
Goodbye Bondage
Mark 2:27
The Son of man is Master of the Sabbath.O feisty Friend, O intrepid Redeemer, you never tire from breaking the rules of servile religion and loosing our chains. You have done so much for our freedom, and at an inordinate price. Bless you, Saviour Messiah; bless you liberating Master.
Please have pity on us whenever we lose the plot, and return to the bondage.
If we have cried freedom yet never dared to live it, or if we have tried to live it in private, without extending a helping hand to other prisoners:
Master have mercy. Messiah have mercy. Master have mercy.If we have been set free, and at first revelled in our new life, only to start looking back over our shoulder with fear instead looking forward in faith:
Master have mercy. Messiah have mercy. Master have mercy.If we listen to bullying voices, and become timid in exercising our freedom; or what is far worse, if by our tone of voice or facial expression, we impugn the Messianic freedom of others:
Master have mercy. Messiah have mercy. Master have mercy.If we start growing safety hedges rather than living in your open spaces, or if we hide our talents rather than risk using them in the ruck of life:
Master have mercy. Messiah have mercy. Master have mercy.If on occasions we resent those intrepid souls who dare to ascend further up the mountain to where the view is clearer and the very wind sings of freedom:
Master have mercy. Messiah have mercy. Master have mercy.O feisty Friend, O generous Redeemer, please do not tolerate any tardiness on our part. We invite you to interfere, to expose our excuses and with the blow torch of your Holy Spirit, to cut through whatever shackles, visible or hidden, remain.
Each new day, remind us that little binds more than fear and nothing liberates more that the faith which is your holy gift.
Amen.
**NOTE: Offering a variety of different types of Messianic or sacred name music each week, we will dance before the King much as David danced when he led the Ark up to Jerusalem.
Dance before Yahweh (Messianic and Sacred Name Music)
Click on the first Track to begin the player. After all songs have played, or when you have reached the point of ending your dance, click on the “Stop” button at the top of the player (otherwise the tracks will just keep playing over and over).
This text will be replaced by the flash music player.***Please be seated and return to the service.***
Prayer on the Word
Elohim of the stars, whose guidance is always available to those who look up and listen, speak to us now. We are troubled by many things. Break into our thoughts to reveal great joy at the heart of life, that we may worship wholeheartedly, offer you our best, and lead others to the discoveries of faith. Amen.Hebrew Scriptures Reading
Numbers 24:1-2, 10-19, 25 RSV
1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.
2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel encamping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of Elohim came upon him,
(…)
10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times.
11 Therefore now flee to your place; I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but Yahweh has held you back from honor.”
12 And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me,
13 ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of Yahweh, to do either good or bad of my own will; what Yahweh speaks, that will I speak’?
14 And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”
15 And he took up his discourse, and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 the oracle of him who hears the words of Elohim, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of El Shaddai, falling down, but having his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom shall be dispossessed, Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed, while Israel does valiantly.
19 By Jacob shall dominion be exercised, and the survivors of cities be destroyed!”
(…)
25 Then Balaam rose, and went back to his place; and Balak also went his way.Psalm Reading
Psalms 72:10-14 RSV
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.Readings from the Prophets
Isaiah 60:1-6 RSV
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of Yahweh has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of Yahweh.Jeremiah 23:5-8 RSV
5 “Behold, the days are coming, says Yahweh, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘Yahweh is our righteousness.’
7 “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says Yahweh, when men shall no longer say, ‘As Yahweh lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’
8 but ‘As Yahweh lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”A Great Thanksgiving for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Yahweh be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to Yahweh.
Let us give thanks to our Elohim.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.To you, Elohim of hosts, all praise and wonder be!
At a singular juncture before time and space began, you spoke your Word into the void and everything began to happen. From nothing exploded the basic stuff of the universe, then galaxies and stars, planets, sun and moon, trees flowers and fruits, and all creatures that swim in the sea, fly in the air or live on the land.
Finally, not as an afterthought but as your crowning risk, came humankind; in your own image did you plan them, male and female did you shape them.
O awesome purpose! O humble power! O most generous providence!
You breathed something of yourself in us, giving us a spirit, and opening up the possibility of us either worshipping you, or the danger of choosing to worship the very things you created.
You gave us a mind to explore your creation and the gift of reason to distinguish between light and darkness, truth and error, fact or delusion.
You gave us the free will, allowing us to decide between good and evil, justice and injustice, peace and war, love and apathy.
When the human race became rebellious and lost, misusing your gifts and abusing our freedom, you did not give up on us. You sent us Moses and the Songmakers, the Seers and the Prophets. But our ears were closed and our eyes wore scales.
Your patience, resourcefulness and generosity were not ended. You entrusted to us the most precious Gift of all.
Born of a humble woman, son of a tradesman, taught by village rabbis, baptized by his cousin John, anointed with the Spirit, tempted in the wilderness. He chose to cherish his spiritual integrity, to use his reason, and to employ his free will to teach, heal and to shape parables that would tease all generations to come. He was the friend of sinners and the scourge of hypocrites.
But because our deeds were evil, we loved darkness rather than light. Evil people took your holiest Gift, dragged him through humiliation, stripped and buried him, mocked, crucified and buried him.
To the consternation of many and the utter joy of a few, you raised him into abundant life.The first fruits of the harvest of the dead, he stood again among his friends, greeted them with peace, breathed into them his own Spirit and mercy, and sent them to be his Good News heralds to the ends of the earth.
Now we, the latter day recipients of such riches, stand before you lost in wonder, love and praise.
Therefore with angels and archangels………………………..
Hymn #139 (Blue Hymnal, piano accompaniment only)
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Henry Alford, 1844
Hugh Hartshorne, 1915
George J. Elvey, 1858
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
Yah (God) our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to Yah’s (God’s) own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is Yah’s (God’s) own field, fruit as praise to Yah (God) we yield;
Wheat and tares together sown are to joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
These to Thee, our El (God), we owe, Source whence all our blessings flow;
And for those our souls shall raise Grateful vows and solemn praise.
Come, then, thankful people, come, Raise the song of harvest home;
Come to Yah’s (God’s) own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home.Study Paper, Video or Audio Sermon (Your Choice)
The Shema
Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our Elohim is One. Blessed be the name of Yahweh whose glorious kingdom is forever! You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all of your heart. You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all of your soul. You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all of your mind. You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your strength.
And these words, which I am instructing you today, shall be on your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them, when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates. (Deut. 6:6-9)Yahshua said, “You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39)
Closing Prayer
Elohim sends us on our way, a bold and confident people.
Look up, and be guided by the star of joy.
We will open our eyes to the presence of Elohim.
We will look for Elohim’s activity all around us.
Yahweh’s purposes in Messiah are to be lived out by us.
We are called to invite others to share in Yahweh’s grace.
We will witness to all we have seen and heard.
By Elohim’s power, we will minister to others.
The glory of Elohim has risen among us.
We are blessed beyond all deserving.
What we have received, we pass on with joy.
We offer to all the unsearchable riches of Messiah.
Amen.Aaronic Blessing
Yahweh bless you and keep you: Yahweh make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: Yahweh lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.