The watchword for the week:
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! Psalm 97:12
Today is a day for praise,
Today we give thanks to the God who has created us.
Today is a day for praise,
Today we give thanks to the Savior who has redeemed us.
Today is a day for praise,
Today we gave thanks to the Holy Spirit who sustains and blesses us.
Psalm 97
God is ruler! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around God;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne.
Fire goes before God,
and consumes God’s adversaries on every side.
God’s lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before God,
before the God of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim God’s righteousness;
and all the peoples behold God’s glory.
All worshipers of images are put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols;
all gods bow down before God.
Zion hears and is glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O God.
For you, O God, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
God loves those who hate evil;
God guards the lives of God’s faithful;
God rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in God, O you righteous,
and give thanks to God’s holy name!
Let us Confess our Sins.
Against you have we sinned, gracious Lord. You provide for the lilies of the field, yet we doubt your love for us. As a result, we live our lives out of a sense of anxiety rather than the assurance of grace. Forgive us from the sin of unbelief, from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, from all self-righteousness, from every neglect of our duty, from all ingratitude and selfishness, from lukewarmness in our love for you and our neighbor, and from indifference to all that you have provided for us.
God’s very being is grace. God’s every intent is to welcome you home. Receive God’s forgiveness, and rest in God’s love. Let us praise the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
Take time to read today’s Daily Texts. If you do not have a copy of the Daily Texts, you will find today’s texts posted in the margin on your page’s right side (at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile phone). God speaks to us through the inspiration of scripture, so approach the opportunity to read the texts as a privilege, eagerly anticipating what might be conveyed to you today. How might today’s Word make a part of your life new again? When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
As you taught your disciples to pray, so we pray together:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Finally, build yourselves on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Resting in God’s grace, let us think on these things:
Let us ponder things that are honorable, things that are just, things that are pure, things that are lovely, things that are worthy of a good report, things that are virtuous, and things that are worthy of praise.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.