Week 1, November 29 - December 25, 2015

Benediction  
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
~ Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Conference of Bishops, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. p. 359.

Affirmation from the Psalms
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! [8] Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together [9] before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
~ Psalm 98.7-9

Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Dear Savior, help us not to miss the signs of your coming, but ever may we be ready for your soon appearing to redeem your people. Amen.

Chronological Reading for the Day

Sunday: Genesis 1-3
Monday: Genesis 4-6; 1 Chronicles 1.1-4
Tuesday: Genesis 7-10; 1 Chronicles 1.5-23
Wednesday Genesis 11-14; 1 Chronicles 1.24-27
Thursday: Genesis 15-17
Friday: Genesis 18-20
Saturday: Genesis 21-24

 Lectionary Readings

Psalm: Psalm 25.1-10
OT: Jeremiah 33.14-16
Gospel: Luke 21.25-36
NT: 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13

(Click here for all readings)

 The Apostles' Creed
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 arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)  

Doxology (and/or closing song)Praise God from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him all creatures here below;Praise Him above ye heavenly host;Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

God of grace, ever faithful to your promises, the earth rejoices in hope of our Savior’s coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts to receive him when he comes, for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
~ Supplemental Liturgical Resource 5
The Theological and Worship Ministry Unit, p. 167.

Call to Worship  

Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.