Light & Hope

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12 (NRSV)

LIGHT & HOPE PAGE

This LIGHT & HOPE PAGE has:

LITANY OF HOPE
BEACONS OF LIGHT

LITANY OF HOPE

LEADER: Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

PEOPLE: Put your HOPE in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. (Psalm 42:5-6)

LEADER: Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I HOPE in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

PEOPLE: Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him! (Job 13:14-16)

LEADER: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from him.

PEOPLE: He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5 –6)

LEADER: May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

PEOPLE: for I have put my HOPE in your word. (Psalm 119:74)

LEADER: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,

PEOPLE: so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE. (Romans 15:4)

LEADER: O Israel, put your HOPE in the LORD,

PEOPLE: for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (Psalm 130:7)

LEADER: The LORD delights in those who fear him,

PEOPLE: who put their HOPE in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11)

LEADER: HOPE deferred makes the heart sick,

PEOPLE: but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

LEADER: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

PEOPLE: but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31)

LEADER: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE.

PEOPLE: And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)

LEADER: If only for this life we have HOPE in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

PEOPLE: But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:19-20)

LEADER: For in this HOPE we were saved. But HOPE that is seen is no HOPE at all. Who HOPES for what he already has? But if we HOPE for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

PEOPLE: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:24-26)

LEADER: Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction,

PEOPLE: faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

LEADER: To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery,

PEOPLE: which is Christ in you, the HOPE of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

LEADER: But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled,

PEOPLE: putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the HOPE of salvation as a helmet. (1 Thes. 5:8)

LEADER: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their HOPE in wealth, which is so uncertain,

PEOPLE: but to put their HOPE in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17)

LEADER: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,

PEOPLE: and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed HOPE—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

LEADER: Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the HOPE offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

PEOPLE: We have this HOPE as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. (Hebrews 6:17-20)

LEADER: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.

PEOPLE: But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this HOPE in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)

LEADER: Now faith is being sure of what we HOPE for

PEOPLE: and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

LEADER: And now these three remain: faith, HOPE and love.

PEOPLE: But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Compiled by Janice H. Bell for Youth Sunday at TRPC, May 1999

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BEACONS OF LIGHT

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

We are called to be beacons of God’s light. We are called to glow like candles allowing God to decrease our self-centeredness in the flame of Jesus’ love. We are called to follow Christ’s example and reflect his light and love in the world by spreading His message of love by the way we live the lives God gave us. As we reflect God’s love like a lighthouse we can light the way for others. We can be Beacons of God’s Light. We can pledge to shine for God and reflect His light.

As a beacon of God’s light we will allow God to strengthen our faith. We will …

… be still and know that He is God and that God love’s us.

… love God and worship Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

… equip ourselves for all things by daily reading and knowing God’s word.

… follow Jesus Christ’s loving and perfect example in all things.

As a beacon of God’s light we will pray unceasingly as God taught us. We will …

… pray that we will seek, understand, and follow God’s will for our lives.

… pray for the salvation of others.

… pray for others and be there for them both in good times and bad.

… pray that we focus on a Godly perspective, ask to be forgiven, and be forgiving.

As a beacon of God’s light we will let God’s love shine in our lives. We will …

… work in God’s service as God leads us to show love for one another.

… seek to live in peace and fellowship with all people, praising God.

… encourage and care for others in unselfish ways for all God’s children.

… share the words of salvation so that all people may know The One Way to God.

Compiled by Janice H. Bell for Youth Sunday at TRPC, May 1999

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