This coming Sunday's scriptures tell the preacher
exactly what and how to preach:
Speak tenderly and give comfort to my people, says your God.
Lord, I've no doubt we're all in need of your comfort
- on all fronts and in so many different ways...
We need the comfort of your promise
and the comfort we can offer one another...
We need the comfort that only you can give
and the comfort you share with us
through the company and consolation
of our families, our friends and our neighbors...
We need the comfort you offer us in faith:
not just an end to our problems and pain
but, more importantly,
a way to live with our troubles
and through our present circumstances,
a way to endure our hard times
until the comfort of your everlasting peace is,
at last, ours - forever...
Though our failures deserve your judgment, Lord,
speak a tender word of mercy in our hearts
and grant us your forgiveness...
And in these difficult times, Lord,
help us comfort one another,
speaking tenderly, not harshly, to all
who look to find your comfort
in our arms, in our words and in our deeds...
Comfort us, your people, with good news, Lord,
and in your kindness, grant us your salvation...
Protect us, Lord, while we're awake
and watch over us as we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in comfort and in peace...
Amen.
Two musical offerings tonight: first, Comfort Ye My People,
the familiar tenor solo from Handel's Messiah; and then
a gospel duet arrangement of the same by Quincy Jones. My
hope is that you might take time to listen and pray with both.
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