Morning Worship
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
All standing.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
O Lord, open our lips.
And our mouths shall declare your praise.
The Lord's unfailing love and mercy never ceases,
Fresh as the morning and sure as the sunrise.
All sitting.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
All kneeling (if able). Private confession is made silently unto God for any sins committed that day. After private confession, a corporate prayer can be said together.
Hear our prayer, O Lord: You know our transgressions, O Lord, and our sins are ever before you. Against you only, O Lord, have we sinned, and done what is evil in your sight. Cleanse us and create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us that we might sin no more this day.
All standing.
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Now, as we have confessed our sins together, let us confess our faith with the generations. Christian, what do you believe?
I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin, Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades. On the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
All sitting.
The catechisms for this week may be practiced and reviewed after the Creed.
63. How are Christ’s blessings made ours?
By the grace of the Holy Spirit and the obedience of faith, we are united to Christ. Because we are in Christ, everything he did, he did for us. We share in his election, sufferings, vindication, and exaltation.
64. How do we know that Jesus is Lord?
After he died on the cross for our sins and was raised to life for our justification, he appeared to his disciples, both women and men. He revealed himself to them as our living Lord and Savior. Through the Bible and Sacraments, he continues to reveal himself to us today.
The Doxology may be said responsively or sung together.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The readings from the daily office are presented in two parts for each half of the day. The same readings are offered at morning and mid-day so the reader can go through them all in one sitting or break them up into two sittings. The same is done for the readings the second half of the day.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The Lord's Prayer should be prayed in unison or sung together.
Taught by our Lord and trusting his promises, we are bold to pray:
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
After the Lord's Prayer should be a time of individual prayer following the pattern of things taught in the Lord's Prayer (thanking God for his goodness, praying for God's will to be, asking for specific needs, offering praise for answered prayers, etc). Listed below are a variety of prayers that can be offered throughout the day or used as inspiration for individual members of the household to pray about anything laid upon their hearts this day by providence.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER
O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THOSE WE LOVE
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR THE FAMILY
Merciful Savior, you loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus, hallowing their home with your sacred presence: Bless our home, we pray, that your love may rest upon us, and that your presence may dwell with us. May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of you, our Lord and Savior. Teach us to love one another as you have commanded. Help us to bear one another’s burdens in fulfillment of your law, O blessed Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
FOR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
O Loving Father, we commend to your gracious keeping all who are near and dear to us. Have mercy upon any who are sick, and comfort those who are in pain, anxiety, or sorrow. Awaken all who are careless about eternal things. Bless those who are young and in health, that they may give the days of their strength to you. Comfort the aged and infirm, that your peace may rest upon them. Hallow the ties of kindred, that we may help and not hinder one another in all the good works that you have prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FOR CHILDREN
O Lord Jesus Christ, who took little children into your arms and blessed them: Bless the children of this family, that they may grow up in godly fear and love. Give them your strength and guidance day by day, that they may continue in your love and service to their lives’ end. Grant this, O blessed Savior, for your own Name’s sake. Amen.
IN THE MORNING
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
AT NIGHT
O Lord, support us all the day long through this trouble-filled life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
FOR QUIET CONFIDENCE
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A GRACE BEFORE MEALS
Bless, O Lord, these gifts to our use, and us to your service, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FAMILY RESPONSES BEFORE MEALS
The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord;
And you give them their meat in due season.
You open your hand;
And fill all things living with plenty.
The hymn of the month may be sung before the close of family worship.
May we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.