First-Friday service

I just realized that last week was the first-Friday service of contemplative song and prayer, and I forgot to post the readings, as I like to do. Because we're in the season between Easter and Pentecost, the theme was "Risen Christ," and the readings focused on the meaning of the resurrection and Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples.

By coincidence, the first Friday, May 4, was also the anniversary of the administration of the first Nauvoo endowments. So there was special meaning, for me, in Jesus' instruction to the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until he had endowed them with power on high. He's referring, in context, to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost. But for me, the words double as a reminder of the endowments of heavenly power that occurred at Kirtland and Nauvoo and, for me, in the Provo Temple some . . . well, let's not count how many years ago, shall we?

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PSALM 30 (selection)

I will praise you, Mighty One,

for you have lifted me out of danger.

You rescued my soul from the grave.

The underworld opened to receive me,

but you restored me to life.

There was a time when I looked for you

but could not find you.

I was terrified.

I cried out to you—

I pleaded—

“What good am I to you in the grave?

How can I praise you or proclaim your faithfulness

if I am dust?

Hear me, Merciful One,

and help me!”

Then you turned my grief into dancing.

You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

For this, I will praise you with my whole being!

I will shout my praises loudly!

I will never stop praising you!

I will give thanks to you, my God, forever!

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EPHESIANS 2: 4-6, 14, 18

Once, through our sins,

we were dead.

 But God,

abounding in mercy

and impelled by a tremendous love for us,

has made us all alive in Christ.

 Because we are in Christ,

when he was raised from death

we were raised with him.

 By bringing us all into himself—

into his body—

Christ has made us into one.

Thus he has broken down the walls that divided us.

 Through Christ,

all of us have access to God,

because all of us have received the same Spirit.

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LUKE 24: 36-51 (selections)

As Jesus’ followers were together, talking,

they were shocked to see Jesus standing among them.

They were terrified, because they thought it was a ghost.

Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid.

It is I, myself—not a ghost.

Touch me and see!”

Then he taught them how to interpret the scriptures.

He said: “It is written that the Messiah must suffer,

and rise from death on the third day.

It is also written that repentance and forgiveness of sins

will be proclaimed to all nations,

in the name of the Messiah,

beginning at Jerusalem.

“You are witnesses of the fulfillment of these prophecies—

you will proclaim these things to the nations.

But wait here, in Jerusalem,

until I have endowed you with heavenly power.”

Then he led them out of the city almost to the village of Bethany.

He lifted his hands and pronounced a blessing on them,

and as he did this, he was lifted away from them into the sky.

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Risen Christ—

in you

all are made alive.

Lift up all who are in danger.

Bring healing and joy to all who grieve.

Risen Christ—

you descended into death

and rose from death.

Be with all who are sick

and all who are dying.

Risen Christ—

in a mysterious way,

you have united us in yourself.

Teach us how to overcome

the walls that divide us.

Risen Christ—

through the Holy Spirit,

you have endowed us with heavenly power.

Show us how to effectively proclaim your message.

Show us how to carry out your work.