A Service 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: The LORD is merciful and gracious,
R: slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
L: As for man, his days are like grass;
R: he flourishes like a flower of the field;
L: for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
R: and its place knows it no more.
L: But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
R: and his righteousness to children’s children,
L: to those who keep his covenant
R: and remember to do his commandments.
L: The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
R: and his kingdom rules over all.
L: The LORD is merciful and gracious,
R: slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
L: Bless Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that 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.
READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:1-13 (antiphon v. 5)
Romans 8:12-17
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
L: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
R: How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
L: For from him and through him and to him are all things.
R: To him be glory forever. Amen.
HYMN – Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast (LSB #577)
SERMON – Romans 8:12-17
The Apostles’ Creed (confessed together)
THE PRAYERS
Gracious God our Father in heaven, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, taught us that your Word is like seed scattered upon soil; plow our hardened hearts, root out the weeds that conflict, remove our stony shallowness, and cause the Word to be fruitful in our hearts as we pray:
For your holy church scattered throughout the world, for our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel and for all who confess the name of Jesus; Lord, in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For our fellowship in the Missouri Synod, for those who watch over our teaching and life together, for Matthew, Michael, and Paul, and for all pastors and teachers in Christ, for our fellow congregations including Shepherd in the Pines Lutheran Church – Beverly Hills (Rev. Elroi Reimnitz), those that are gathered and those still scattered, for our missionaries including Gary and Phillip Magness, for our schools and seminaries, and for our preschool and afterschool, for Vicki and Kristy; Lord in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For the government and all in authority, for our president, and governor, the Congress and legislatures, and the courts of our land, our leaders would work together for the common good of all, that guided by your will and wisdom we may live ordered and peaceful lives in all godliness; Lord in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For the right use of our liberty, that free from the law of Sin and Death we might live as servants bound in love to one another, Lord, in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For the armed forces of our country, for our deployed soldiers and their families, for police fire, and emergency workers, and all who work to protect our lives and property; for medical workers and all who attend to our health, for those who risk their own lives and health in service of others; Lord, in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For mutual respect and understanding among all people; for the Spirit of God to change the hearts and minds of all that we would live together as one humanity under one Maker and Redeemer; Lord, in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For those who call upon you in their time of need: (everyone may speak the names of those for who they wish to pray); Lord, in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
For the unborn and the mothers who carry them, that both mother and child would be protected through childbirth, for those who celebrate the gift of life on their birthdays: Wayne Erickson (7/13); Glenn Abrams (7/16); Lord in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer
Into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
R: Amen.
The Our Father (prayed together)
(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.