Said or sung all together except for the sentences marked ‘Call’ which are for the Leader only.
+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: With my whole heart I want to praise You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
Response: Who could stand? who could stand?
and in His word do I hope.
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
Today’s Scripture Reading
17 December
Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Micah 5:2, 4 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;
Luke 2:15-18 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
Today’s Meditation
What God may hereafter require of you,
you must not give yourself the least trouble about.
Everything He gives you to do,
you must do as well as ever you can.
That is the best possible preparation
for what He may want you to do next.
If people would but do what they have to do,
they would always find themselves ready for what came next.
George MacDonald
Prayers for others
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God,
to gaze on Your holy place.
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
of the Lord in the land of the living.
O wait for the Lord!
Have courage and wait,
wait for the Lord.
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.