New Testament | 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Behold by Taylor Leonhardt

Lyrics:
The empty filled the wounded healed
The broken back together
The poor are blessed the weary rest
We will dance forever

The blinded see the chained are free
The doubtful now believer
The outcast known the orphan home
You are my Redeemer

Behold behold behold what love can do
Behold behold He's making all things new

The lost return the voiceless heard
The mourner now rejoicing
The mountains shake the world awake
Creation all composing

The sad untrue the earth renewed
The song has found its singer
The darkness light the dead alive
You are my Redeemer

We've been struck down we're not destroyed
We've sown in tears we'll reap in joy

My eyes are open

Behold behold

*Passage: *
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Musical Reflection:
Bless the Lord, My Soul by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes:
A contribution to the Taizé tradition, this tune by Berthier provides a reverent foundation for the text: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.”

Prayer:
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.