LCA & NZ Synod Sunday Word & Prayer 2018

GOD WELCOMES USWe come to God By faith in Jesus ChristWe have freedom and a futureIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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We confess our sin and God forgives usLet us confess our sins in the presence of God and of each other.We confess to you, almighty God,before the whole company of heaven,and to each other,that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,by our own fault.Have mercy on us, for Jesus’ sake,forgive us all our sins,and bring us to eternal life. Amen.May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins.Amen.

We sing a hymn/song

We pray Psalm 84How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the LORD;my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts.

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Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed.How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness.For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor.No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.O LORD of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord of hosts.

We pray The Lord be with youAnd also with you.Let us pray.Father of mercy and might, you have ordered our earthly life that we must walk by faith and not by sight. Give us such trust in your fatherly care that we show our faith

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by our courage in the face of all perplexities. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reignswith you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

GOD SPEAKS TO US

We listen to God’s wordOld Testament Reading Exodus 29:38-46Hear the word of God as it is written in …(after the reading)This is the word of the LordThanks be to God

Epistle Reading Hebrews 10:19-25Hear the word of God as it is written in …(after the reading)This is the word of the LordThanks be to God

Gospel Reading Matthew 18:19-20Hear the gospel of the Lord as it is written in …(after the gospel)This is the gospel of the LordPraise be to you, O Christ Thank you, Lord Jesus, that we can come to the Father in your name. Help us to be in harmony among ourselves. Amen.

We sing a hymn/song

We listen to the address

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We confess our faith 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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.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 Spirit, the holy catholic* church,the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

* ‘catholic’ here meaning 'universal'

GOD RECEIVES OUR OFFERING

We sing a hymn/song as our offering is received

We pray an offering prayer Thank you, Lord, for having mercy on us and accepting us as your people. Help us to be more and more like you, and work harmoniously with one another. Teach us to show love to each other, and to all people as they have needs. Amen.

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We pray for ourselves and the world Let us pray for the church in the world. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for gathering your people into one holy church.

Lord Jesus: hear our prayer.

By your building of the church on the rock;by your promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against it;by the purchase of the church with your precious blood;by your gift of the Holy Spirit and the keys of the kingdom:

Lord Jesus: hear our prayer.

Make your church truly holy and unified.Keep it faithful in proclaiming the gospel and administering the sacraments.Purge it from all wrongdoing, unbelief, and coldness.Protect it from sin, scandal, and shame.Strengthen it against fearfulness and compromise with evil.Make it shine as a light in the world.

Lord Jesus: hear our prayer.

(Other prayers may follow)Guide and rule your church forever, Lord God, so that it walks warily in times of quiet and boldly in times of trouble; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

We pray the Lord’s PrayerOur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yoursnow and forever. Amen.

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GOD BLESSES USWe go with GodThe Lord says, “I have indeed seen you. I have heard your cries, and I am concerned about you. So, I have come to rescue you and will lead you into a good and spacious place. (from Exodus 3:7-8)By faith in Jesus ChristWe have freedom and a futureThe blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us always.

Amen.

We sing a hymn/song

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