Scripture Reading of Praise Psalm 71:1–7
Pastor: Lift up your hearts!
Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord!
Prayer of Invocation
Hymn (stand) “And Can It Be?” Cantus 286-287
Passage of Confession Titus 2:1-2
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
Personal Silent Prayer of Confession (kneel)
Corporate Prayer of Confession (All Together):
Blessed Spirit, author of all grace and comfort, come and work repentance in our souls; represent sin to all of us in its true colors so that we may hate it. Melt our hearts by the majesty and mercy of God. May we confide in his power and love, to commit our souls to him without reserve, to bear his image, observe his laws, pursue his service; make us willing to be saved in this way, perceiving nothing in ourselves but all in Jesus; help us not only to receive him but to walk in him, depend on him, commune with him, be conformed to him and to follow him—imperfect but still pressing forward. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (stand) Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Pastor: Our sins are forgiven through Christ.
Congregation: Thanks be to God!
Hymn (stand) “Father Most Holy” Cantus 301
The Apostles’ Creed AD Second Century
Pastor: Christian, what do you believe?
I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin, Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into Hades;
The third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall 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.
The Heidelberg Catechism ad 1563
Question 52: What comfort is it to you that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?
Answer: That in all my sorrows and persecutions, I, with uplifted head, look for the very One who offered Himself for me to the judgment of God, and removed all curse from me, to come as Judge from heaven, who shall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall take me with all His chosen ones to Himself into heavenly joy and glory.
q 53: What do you believe concerning the Holy Ghost?
a: First, that He is co-eternal God with the Father and the Son. Second, that He is also given unto me: by true faith makes me a partaker of Christ and all His benefits, comforts me, and shall abide with me forever.
q 54: What do you believe concerning the “holy catholic church” of Christ?
a: That out of the whole human race, from the beginning to the end of the world, the Son of God, by His Spirit and Word, gathers, defends, and preserves for Himself unto everlasting life a chosen communion in the unity of the true faith; and that I am and forever shall remain a living member of this communion.
Hymn (stand) “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” Cantus 349-351, vs. 1-5
The Reading of the Universal Word (stand)
Old Testament Proverbs 3:11-12
Congregation: Thanks be to God!
New Testament Hebrews 12:7-11 Congregation: Thanks be to God!
Pastoral Prayer (sit)
Concluding with The Lord’s Prayer (all together)
Preaching of the Word
“Beloved Children” 1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Hymn (stand) “Lead On, O King Eternal” Cantus 312
Typically, heads of household serve their own families, but this is not mandatory. See our note about Communion on the cover of this bulletin.
Gloria Patri (stand) Cantus 436
Benediction (stand)