A Service For Use in 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: Oh give thanks to the LORD: call upon his name;
R: make known his deeds moang the peoples!
L: Sing to him, sing praises to him;
R: tell of all his wondrous works!
L: Glory in his holy name;
R:let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
L: Seek the LORD and his strength;
R: seek his presence continually!
L: Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
R: his miracles, and the judgements he uttered.
L: O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
R: children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
L: Oh give thanks to the LORD: call upon his name;
R: make known his deeds moang the peoples!
L: Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love, that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; 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
Deuteronomy 7:6-9
Psalm 125 (antiphon v2)
Romans 8:28-39
Matthew 13:44-52
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 – From God Can Nothing Move Me (LSB #713)
SERMON – Romans 8:28-39
The Apostles’ Creed (confessed together)
THE PRAYERS
Gracious God our Father in heaven, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, spoke of the kingdom as a costly and catholic mystery – a buried treasure, a pearl of infinite value, a net that drags everything to the shore of a new creation. As children of this costly, catholic kingdom, we are bold to 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 Zion Lutheran Church – Blythe, CA (Rev. Mark Yeager), those that are gathered and those who are scattered, for our missionaries including Herb and Markie Burch, 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 boldness and confidence to live by faith without fear, trusting that in Christ we more than conquer by His Cross; 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: Charlotte Heideman (7/27); Janice Lewis (7/28; 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.