A Service For Use in the Home

Christmas 1

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 daily 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 has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations,
R: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
L: Oh sing to the LORD a new song for he has done marvelous things!
R: His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
L: The LORD has made known his salvation;
R: he has revealed his righteousnes in the sight of the nations.
L: He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
R: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
L: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
R: break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

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 has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations,
R: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

L: O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made HImself ; 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 61:10-62:3
Psalm 111 (antiphon v 9)
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40

L: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
R: and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
L: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
R: Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
L: Sing to the LORD a new song,
R: for he has done marvelous things!

HYMN #389 Let All Together Praise Our God

SERMON – Luke 2:1-20

The Apostles’ Creed (confessed all together)

THE PRAYERS

Gracious God our Father in heaven, Your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, came as the Child of the Virgin that we might be born anew as your children; Gather in His Name, 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 Holy Cross in Cypress,

For our missionaries including Arthur and Eva Rickman,

For our schools and seminaries, for our AfterSchool and for Vicki its director; Lord in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer

For the government and all in authority, for the president of the nation, for the governor of the state, all legislators and judges, and those in public service; that we would live peaceful lives in all godliness, uprightness, honor, and integrity; Lord in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer

For our military and their families, for police, fire, and emergency workers, 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 those suffering from Covid, for an end to this pandemic, for those who care for the sick, for researchers and scientists seeking treatments and cures; for your blessing upon the vaccines and treatments being discovered and deployed; 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 our recognition of the sanctity of all human life, for the unborn and the mothers who carry them including Kimmy, that mother and child would be protected through childbirth; for those who celebrate the sacred gift of life on their birthdays, for Andrew; Lord in your mercy…
R: Hear our prayer

For the joy of Christmas, that having rejoiced in the Word become Flesh to save us, we might attain to the fullest joy of life in Him; 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.

HYMN #381 Let Our Gladness Have No End