The Watchword for the Week:
For I decided to know nothing among you except
Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.
To you, we give thanks, for your mercy endures forever.
We offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon your holy name.
Let us bless the Lord forever and ever.
Psalm 112:1-9
Praise God! Happy are those who fear God,
who greatly delight in God’s commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in God.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn is exalted in honor.
Confession of Sin
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In full assurance of faith, let us confess our sins to our gracious God.
Loving God, we approach your holy presence willing to admit that we need your gracious forgiveness. Forgive us for the times when our faith has been found lacking. Forgive us for the times when we have neglected our duty, or when we have been ungrateful for your gifts to us. Forgive us for the times when apathy has kept us from taking up your challenge to reach out in love to those in need. Forgive us when we have been indifferent to your supreme sacrifice for us as well as the resurrection power that can make all things new. Deliver us from the delusion that our understanding is greater than yours. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our need, we are given grace to grow and courage to continue the journey.
Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! 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.
Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to say:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom, and power, and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever things are true,
Whatever things are honorable,
Whatever things are just,
Whatever things are pure,
Whatever things are lovely,
Whatever things are of good report,
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.
God’s power is abundant, and God’s wisdom is beyond measure.
Let us live our lives knowing that Christ’s love is unconditional and life-transforming.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of God with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior,
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.