A Liturgy for the Home

The following service order is intended for use in the home at a time when our congregation cannot gather. It may be lead by a family member, or if you live alone, you may use it by yourself, in which case, simply say all parts. Of course this is not intended to be a substitute for the Divine Service of the gathered church, but as a provision for household devotion and prayer. You may also use the service orders of Matins, Morning Prayer, Vespers, Evening Prayer, or Compline depending on the time of day. For a simple service order, see Daily Prayer (LSB p. 294ff) .

Leader: O Lord, open my lips.
Response: And my mouth will declare your praise.
L: Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
R: Make haste to help me, O Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

L: Your word is a lamp to my feet
R: and a light to my path.

L: Forever, O LORD, your word
R: is firmly fixed in the heavens.
L: Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
R: you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
L: By your appointment they stand this day,
R: for all things are your servants.
L: If your law had not been my delight,
R: I would have perished in my affliction.
L: I will never forget your precepts,
R: for by them you have given me life.

L: Your word is a lamp to my feet
R: and a light to my path.

L: O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
R: Amen.

READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

Acts 17:16-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21

L: Alleluia! We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again;
R: Death no longer has dominion over Him.
L: Alleluia! In the world you will have tribulation.
R: But take heart. I have overcome the world. Alleluia!

HYMN – Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice (LSB #445)

SERMON – “Never Abandoned”

The Apostles’ Creed (confessed together)

THE PRAYERS

L: In peace, let us pray to the Lord,
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the gift of divine peace and of pardon, with all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord,
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the joy of the resurrection and the proclamation of Jesus’ saving death throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord,
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the holy Church, here and scattered throughout the world, and for the proclamation of the Gospel and the calling of all to faith in Christ; let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For congregations everywhere, that they would soon be able to gather again, and for the Spirit’s care and preservation in this time of scattering, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For our Preschool and AfterSchool, for our directors Vicki and Kristy, and for all our staff and children; let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For our nation and our leaders, that they would be guided in all wisdom in their public policy, and for the common welfare of us all, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For rain and sunshine in due season and for the fruitfulness of the earth, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For those who labor, for those whose work is difficult or dangerous, and for all who travel, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the poor, the unemployed, for those who have lost their jobs to this pandemic, for economic recovery and a restoration of our livelihoods, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For all those in need, for the hungry and homeless, for the widowed and orphaned, for those who are alone, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the victims of abuse and for all whose homes are not safe shelters, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the sick and dying, and for all those who care for them, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For medical personnel and for all who work in hospitals and clinics, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: In thanksgiving, for the successful surgery and the return home of our sister Peggy, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For those who grieve the death of loved ones, that they would be comforted by the death and resurrection of Jesus; let us pray to the Lord,
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: For [insert any additional bids, others may also contribute their own bids in the same form for all manner of people, needs, and circumstances] … let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy.
L: Finally, for these and all our needs of body and soul, let us pray to the Lord;
R: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

The Our Father (prayed together)

L: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. R: Amen

(Morning) I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

(Evening) I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

L: Let us bless the Lord.
R: Thanks be to God.

L: The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the +Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us.
R: Amen.