Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd

HYMN OF THE DAY
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 1, 2024

By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless (LSB 566)

1 By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe and doubt it not.
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?
No! Then this word must true remain;
By grace you too will life obtain.

2 By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;
Our works and conduct have no worth.
God in His love sent our Redeemer,
Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;
His death did for our sins atone,
And we are saved by grace alone.

3 By grace God's Son, our only Savior,
Came down to earth to bear our sin.
Was it because of your own merit
That Jesus died your soul to win?
No, it was grace, and grace alone,
That brought Him from His heav'nly throne.

4 By grace! This ground of faith is certain;
So long as God is true, it stands.
What saints have penned by inspiration,
What in His Word our God commands,
Our faith in what our God has done
Depends on grace--grace through His Son.

5 By grace to timid hearts that tremble,
In tribulation's furnace tried,
By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,
The Father's heart is open wide.
Where could I help and strength secure
If grace were not my anchor sure?

6 By grace! On this I'll rest when dying;
In Jesus' promise I rejoice;
For though I know my heart's condition,
I also know my Savior's voice.
My heart is glad, all grief has flown
Since I am saved by grace alone.

Prayer of the Church
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
1 September 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the gift of the Holy Spirit at work in the Word of truth, that by His direction we would not stray from the way of God’s commandments nor forget the wonderful blessings He has given to us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For preachers of the Word, that the Lord would remember them in His kindness and strengthen them for faithful service; and that He would send new laborers into His harvest and prosper His Law and promises throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all pastors and teachers, parents and grandparents, and all teachers of the faith, that through them we may grow into wisdom and the knowledge of God’s love in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who bear public office, that God would give them wisdom, courage and integrity; and for our nation, that God would destroy and hinder in our common lives whatever is not pleasing to Him and prosper all that accords with His will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all in need of health, healing and mercy, that the Lord of life would strengthen them with His Word of grace to look to Him for comfort in the midst of suffering and pain, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who come to the Holy Sacrament today, that receiving Christ’s true body and blood in this Supper, they may remember and proclaim with joy the salvation He accomplished for us by His death and resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we offer You our thanks and praise for Your servants who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labors. Bring us with them to the unspeakable joys of Your new heavens and new earth at the day of our Savior’s glorious appearing. Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 26, 2024

Lord, help us ever to retain (LSB 865)

1 Lord, help us ever to retain
The Catechism's doctrine plain
As Luther taught the Word of truth
In simple style to tender youth.

2 Help us Your holy Law to learn,
To mourn our sin and from it turn
In faith to You and to Your Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.

3 Hear us, dear Father, when we pray
For needed help from day to day
That as Your children we may live,
Whom You baptized and so received.

4 Lord, when we fall or go astray,
Absolve and lift us up, we pray;
And through the Sacrament increase
Our faith till we depart in peace.

Prayer of the Church
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
25 August 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For a true faith, that we would honor God not just with our lips, but serve Him faithfully with all our heart, mind and strength, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For our Synod president; our district president; our circuit visitor; our own pastor(s); and all servants of the Church, that they may teach the Word of God honestly and clearly, never setting forth as divine truth what is only human tradition, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all Christians, that we would not reject God’s commandments for the doctrine of men, but rather keep God’s commandments in thought, word and deed, honoring Him in all that we do, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the holy estate of marriage, that wives would submit to their husbands as to the Lord, and that husbands would love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For our nation and its leaders, all civil servants, and those whose work imperils them for the sake of their neighbor, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those taking treatments, the ill or injured, the lonely and the imprisoned, and all in need of our prayers, that in meekness each hurting heart would obtain fresh joy in the Lord and exult in the Holy One of Israel, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who partake in the fellowship of this altar and receive Christ’s body and blood this day, that God would strengthen their faith and sustain them by this Holy Communion until life everlasting, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 19, 2024

O God, my faithful God, (LSB 696)

1 O God, my faithful God,
True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unstained by sin.

2 Grant me the strength to do
With ready heart and willing
Whatever You command,
My calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should
While trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good,
For You must give success.

3 Keep me from saying words
That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech
May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place
I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace
Lest I offend the weak.

4 Lord, let me win my foes
With kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends
For counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught,
To love both great and small
And by Your Spirit's might
To live in peace with all.

5 Let me depart this life
Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul
That it may live forever;
And let my body have
A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave;
And let it sleep in peace.

6 And on that final day
When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand,
My deathly slumber breaking.
Then let me hear Your voice,
Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice
With those who love Your name.

Prayer of the Church
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
18 August 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the family of God; for every nation, tribe, people and language; and for all those who hunger for the true bread of life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For constancy to work for the food that endures to eternal life, that we would never hunger or thirst for anything but Christ and His righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the ministry of this congregation in our community, that many may embrace Jesus as the Christ and believe He is the true bread of God come from heaven, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all homes and schools, especially the schools, universities and seminaries of our church, that we may remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For Joseph, our president; our governor; and all those who hold offices of public trust in our land, that they would serve according to the will of God and for the good of all people; and for all in law enforcement and those who judge in our courts, that they would act not for selfish gain but for the benefit of the people, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the sick, that in accordance with His will they would give thanks to God; and for the depressed, the lonely and those who mourn the death of loved ones, that God would strengthen their faith and assure them of His presence in all circumstances, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who commune today, that the Lord would prepare our hearts to welcome Christ, who assures us that His flesh is true food and His blood true drink; and that feeding on Him, we may depart in His peace in the expectation of eternal life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 12, 2024

Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendor (LSB 534)

1 Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendor,
First-begotten from the dead,
You alone, our strong defender,
Lifting up Your people’s head.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Jesus, true and living bread!

2 Though the lowliest form now veil You
As of old in Bethlehem,
Here as there Your angels hail You,
Branch and flow'r of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
We in worship join with them;
We in worship join with them.

3 Paschal Lamb, Your off'ring, finished
Once for all when You were slain,
In its fullness undiminished
Shall forevermore remain.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Cleansing souls from ev'ry stain;
Cleansing souls from ev'ry stain.

4 Life imparting heav'nly manna,
Stricken rock with streaming side,
Heav'n and earth with loud hosanna
Worship You, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ris'n, ascended, glorified!
Ris'n, ascended, glorified!

Prayer of the Church
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
11 August 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the whole Church on earth, that by the Spirit’s power all the baptized may become imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For pastors and those who assist them, especially those suffering from conflict, burnout or depression, that our Lord would give them strength and courage through the example of Elijah and the prophets and apostles as well as comfort through the forgiveness of sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For this congregation, that we may be given grace to believe that we belong to one another through Christ and so put away all falsehood and malice, speaking His truth in love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all families and homes, that one generation may tell to the next the wonderful works of God in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the nation, that all may live in harmony, neither suffering from want nor fearing danger, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the sick, that they would never doubt that God hears their prayers; and for all others who suffer from any kind of hardship, that the Lord would relieve their pain and provide for them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who receive Christ’s body and blood this day, that reconciled to each other they may rejoice to receive the Lord’s forgiveness through this precious gift, be strengthened in times of doubt, and be nourished in body and soul, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to be the bread of life. Together with all the faithful who have gone before us, we give You thanks and praise. Keep us steadfast in the faith, so that when our last hour comes, we may rejoice with them at the marriage feast in His kingdom, which has no end. Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 4, 2024

Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer (LSB 918)

1 Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

2 Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliv'rer, strong deliv'rer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield;
Be Thou still my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.

Prayer of the Church
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
4 August 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For confidence in the Lord’s provision, that we would trust in the promises of God and look to His hand to provide all we need for this life and for the life to come, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all pastors, that God would remember all who speak His Word with compassion, giving them faithfulness and honesty in their teaching, so that His children would be freed from all deceit, speak His truth to one another in love, and grow up in every way into Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For true unity in the faith; for the preservation of pure doctrine; for harmony in our congregation, district and Synod; and for charitable hearts that put the best construction on what we see and hear, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all Christians, that God would enable us to walk in humility, gentleness and patience, so that we would bear with one another in love and be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who serve in public office, that God would keep them honest, fill them with wisdom and uphold them in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the sick and hospitalized, that God would provide doctors and nurses and other medical professionals to care for those in need of health and healing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who approach the altar this day, that God would help us to examine ourselves and come to His table with thankful and contrite hearts to receive the precious body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, we come as a people tossed to and fro by the manifold changes of this mortal life. Help us to know, in You, that which is eternal. Give us confidence in the suffering and death of Christ, that we may rejoice that You are with us always and await His joyous appearing with all the saints; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

+Service of the Word+
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 4, 2024

Old Testament Reading Exodus 16:2–15
Find the text here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+16%3A2%E2%80%9315&version=ESV

Epistle Ephesians 4:1–16
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Holy Gospel John 6:22–35
22On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Collect of the Day
Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 21, 2024

The Church’s one foundation (LSB 644)

1 The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

2 Elect from ev'ry nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation:
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses
With ev'ry grace endued.

3 Though with a scornful wonder
The world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

4 Through toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

5 Yet she on earth has union
With God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O blessed heav'nly chorus!
Lord, save us by Your grace
That we, like saints before us,
May see You face to face.

Prayer of the Church
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
21 July 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

In thanksgiving for the compassion shown in Christ Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep and the righteous Son of David, that at all times we would trust in God’s right hand, in whom true satisfaction is found, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For pious and faithful shepherds to watch over the flock of God, that His sheep would fear no more and at last be gathered into His heavenly kingdom, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those who hunger and are in need, that God would fill us with His compassion and provide us with the means to care for our neighbor and so share with them the love of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For good government and faithful rulers; and for a pervading trust in God, from whom all provision comes, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

In thanksgiving for our Father’s constant care and support for this body and life; and that He would attend in mercy to those in need among us, freeing them from dismay and fear by the certainty that Christ is their righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins this day, that our faith may be strengthened as we meet Him at His table; and that we may greet Him always as the Lord, our righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

We give thanks to You, O Lord, that You have made us fellow citizens with the saints in light. Keep us in the true faith for as long as You preserve us in this world, that we would hopefully and eagerly await the day when we stand in Your presence with them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 14, 2024

Jesus, priceless treasure (LSB 743)

1 Jesus, priceless treasure,
Fount of purest pleasure,
Truest friend to me.
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
Thou art mine,
O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee,
Naught I ask beside Thee.

2 In Thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would mo**st me
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Ev'ry heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash
And thunder crash;
yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.

3 Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.
God's great pow'r
Guards ev'ry hour;
Earth and all its depths adore Him,
Silent bow before Him.

4 Hence, all earthly treasure!
Jesus is my pleasure,
Jesus is my choice.
Hence all empty glory!
Naught to me the story
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss,
Or shame or cross,
Shall not from my Savior move me
Since He deigns to love me.

5 Evil world, I leave thee;
Thou canst not deceive me,
Thine appeal is vain.
Sin that once did blind me,
Get thee far behind me,
Come not forth again.
Past thy hour,
O pride and pow'r;
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
Leave thee now forever.

6 Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within.
Yea, whate'er
I here must bear,
Thou art still my purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure!

Prayer of the Church
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
14 July 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the Church, that the Lord would preserve her for His name’s sake and answer her in His righteousness and faithfulness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the testimony of Christ’s Word, opposed by the world; and for conviction and confidence in our confession that salvation is found through Christ Jesus alone, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all ministers, that God would make them zealous and faithful in their service; and for Matthew, our Synod president; our district president; and our circuit visitor, that God would grant them wisdom in their work and joy in their calling, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the blessed estate of marriage, that God would cause chastity to be prized among His Christians and honored also in the world; for husbands and wives, that God would bind them together in love and forgiveness; and for parents, that God would equip them by His Spirit with every good gift to care for and teach the children He gives, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For our nation and its leaders, that God would spare them; for our civil servants and our people, that their conduct would be wise, just and honorable in accord with the Lord’s revealed will; and even for those who oppose God, that the Lord would be merciful to them for the sake of Christ and remember that He desires all to be saved, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the needy in body and soul, that He would lavish the riches of His grace on them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who commune today, that by the redemption in Christ Jesus we may receive the forgiveness of our trespasses and be strengthened through His body and blood to life everlasting, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That we would respect the bodies of the saints in life and death; and that, as the disciples of John gave him a proper burial, we, too, would confess our expectation of the resurrection in word and deed, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

O Lord, heavenly Father, join these, our prayers and praises, with those of Your faithful people in every time and in every place. Unite them in the ceaseless petitions of our great High Priest until He comes again on the Last Day. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

We are in the middle of a fantastic scuba VBS! Still time to join… 

HYMN OF THE DAY
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 7, 2024

O Christ, our true and only light (LSB 839)

1 O Christ, our true and only light,
Enlighten those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Your voice
And in Your fold with us rejoice.

2 Fill with the radiance of Your grace
The souls now lost in error's maze;
Enlighten those whose inmost minds
Some dark delusion haunts and blinds.

3 O gently call those gone astray
That they may find the saving way!
Let ev'ry conscience sore oppressed
In you find peace and heav'nly rest.

4 Shine on the darkened and the cold;
Recall the wand'rers to Your fold.
Unite all those who walk apart;
Confirm the weak and doubting heart,

5 That they with us may evermore
Such grace with wond'ring thanks adore
And endless praise to You be giv'n
By all Your Church in earth and heav'n.

Prayer of the Church
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
7 July 2024

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

To the Lord, blessed forever, Father of Christ, our strength and shield, who hears the voice of our pleas for mercy and helps in every need, that He would never cease to save His people and bless His heritage, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the ministers of the Word, that they may be devoted to their task and to prayer; and for many servants in God’s Church, that neither the preaching nor the care of His people may fall into neglect, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

In thanksgiving for Christ, our righteousness, revealed in the sight of the nations, that He would strengthen the song of His Church; for musicians, poets and artists, that they may serve skillfully; and for the congregation of God in this and every place, that we may sing with boldness the eternally new song of Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the home, that God would soften obdurate hearts, turning parents and children toward each other in love and patience; and that He would banish the spirit of impudence, stubbornness and rebellion from all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For our nation, that it may be defended against its enemies; for our leaders, that they may be preserved from temptation; and for the work of all civil authorities, that we may be enabled to live quiet and peaceable lives according to His Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those whose pain is chronic, whose suffering is unknown, who wrestle with difficult thorns in body or mind, or who are tempted to despair, that they may know that in their weakness they are strong for the sake of Christ, whose grace is sufficient for every need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

And for courage in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities to boast in Christ and His cross, by which we and our sufferings are sanctified, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who commune this day, that in repentance and faith they may taste and see that their Lord is good in the abundant blessing of Christ’s true body and blood, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.