“But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so
that we will not be condemned along with the world.  So then, my brethren, when you come together
to eat, wait for one another.  If anyone
is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for
judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come (1 Corinthians 11:32-34).

The virtue
that describes what Paul is saying is temperance.  Live in the knowledge that Christ is with you
and in you.  Live seeking to please the
Lord always.  Live with God’s love for
your neighbor.  Live knowing that in
eternity we will all get along because we will have concern for the other as
well as our self.  Live into the calling
to which you have been called knowing the Lord is leading you.

Lord, these are not altruistic words, but the words of truth.  Guide me in the way I should go knowing that You are leading me.  Help me to overcome my sinful selfishness that I would now and always abide in You as You abide in me.  Teach me how to overcome those times where I want to do what I want to do, that I may do instead what is right and fitting.  Teach me Lord!

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior, and You are also the teacher.  Guide me Lord in the way You know I need to go.  You have judged me already and know all that I need.  Lead me in the way I should go that I may always walk according to Your direction.  Help me in those selfish moments to put myself aside that I may live in witness that You are in me and I am in You.  Teach me how to be faithful.   Amen

“For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:29-31).

Think in terms of eternal health. The Lord is guiding those who come to Him in the way they need to be guided and feeds them heavenly food.  Those who think this mere formality mock what the Lord is doing and bring into themselves condemnation. It is not a matter of works, but of attitude. Are you learning to love the Lord as He loves You?  Do you submit to love or are you in love with yourself only?

Lord, this is important. It is not a matter of me figuring everything out, but of learning how to love as You love. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may receive all that You give in grace and grow in Your likeness. Where I am trivializing what is important, convict me. Where I do not honor You, show me how to honor, love and worship You always above all things.

Lord Jesus, You gave Your body as the sacrifice for all my sins. Lead me to see that You feed me with heavenly food in order to build up my mind, body, and soul through You to become what I shall be. Help me to understand that in You alone is life and light. Teach me faithfulness always that I may live into the life to which You have prepared the way, honoring You now and forever. Amen.

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the
Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the
Lord.  But a man must examine himself,
and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians
11:27-28).

What we are called to do in the Lord is neither rote, nor mechanical; it is a living relationship.  Do not treat the grace of the Lord as something that is yours because you deserve it, but live in the grace you’ve been given.  It is a loving relationship and pride and selfishness are not a part of this relationship.  Live then into what the Lord is giving and abide in His presence always.

Lord, my moods swing all over the place.  Help me to live each day knowing that I am in
Your presence.  Guide me in spite of my
moods to live knowing that I am in You and You are in me.  Lead me to live in the eternal relationship
You have established through grace that I may now and always be faithful when I
partake of Your grace.  Help me to be
honest and forthright always.

Lord Jesus,
it is Your shed blood that has paid the price for my remission of sin.  May I never treat this with disdain or in any
way disrespect Your invitation to join with the saints of all times and places.  Lead me to always be respectful and a willing
participant in this gift which You give.  
Though my heart may not always be in the right place, create in me a new
and clean heart that respectfully receives what You alone can give.  Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Easter Day, the Resurrection of Our Lord (April 12, 2020)

In joyful confidence, let us pray by the power of the Holy Spirit to the Father of our risen Lord Jesus, on behalf of the world, the Church, and one another.

A brief silence

Thank you, dear Father, for the forgiveness, peace, and salvation won for us by your beloved Son. Tune our hearts to sing his praise. Purify our spirits so we may behold his fair beauty forever. Fortify our minds to learn the depths of his love. Open our mouths to proclaim his victory over our ancient enemy. Direct our hands – one to clasp his nail-scarred hand, the other to draw a fellow sinner closer to his loving embrace. Fill our lives with your Spirit, so that in all things, we bear witness to Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and the devil.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Adorn your Church with the festal garland of faith, hope, and love. Look kindly upon its worship of your risen Son. Give it concord within its house, and peace within the world. Make it radiant in faith, lovely in holiness, and beautiful in charity. By its words and deeds, bring many to know and adore Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fill our persecuted sisters and brothers with faith, courage, and joy. Let their faces shine with confidence in the victory of Jesus over everything that torments them. Let that light shine on their enemies, so they see the truth of Jesus’ Lordship, and turn to him in repentant faith.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Make us lovely with your mercy, forgiveness, and goodness. Use us to draw many who are afar off into your welcoming embrace, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We ask your blessing upon visitors in our midst. Some may be discouraged or distracted, puzzled or doubtful, bitter or disbelieving. You love them all for the sake of your dear Son. Give us fitting words and loving hearts, so we share the hope that is in us on account of Jesus’ resurrection. Give them new, or renewed, faith in Christ, for he is their hope and heart’s desire.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bestow your peace upon this weary and war-sick world. Teach all who wield authority and power, in any field or enterprise, to use those gifts wisely and humbly. And give to all – especially those who are poor, forgotten, grieving, or despairing – a foretaste of the joys you have prepared for all who love you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Even in this season of gladness, good men and women must risk their lives to protect others and stand against the forces of chaos and hatred. Shield, strengthen and direct them, dear Lord. Let their words and deeds accomplish your will. Keep them safe; support their loved ones; and speed the day when was shall be no more.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant that Jesus’ triumph over sin and death may bless all who are bowed down in suffering of any kind. Especially we lift before you the needs of: {List}. Turn their mourning into singing, and exchange their sackcloth of sorrow for the mantle of praise and the garment of joy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O most kind and loving Father, your crucified and risen Son has promised to lead your chosen people through the bitter portals of death itself. We thank you for the lives and the faithful witness of those who have already gone “farther up and farther in” to your glorious Kingdom of light. Let your Son accompany us along our pilgrimage, to lighten our load and illuminate our path. Let your Holy Spirit fill us with confidence and compassion. And let us, with all the redeemed of every time and place; every race, nation and tongue, stand before your throne and sing your praise in strains of triumphant gladness for ever and ever and to the ages of ages.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We praise and magnify you, most holy Father; we entrust our prayers and petitions to you in the strong name and for the dear sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, The Vigil of Easter, April 11, 2020

Let us, with joyful confidence, pray to our risen Savior for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, “thanks” is too small a word! We hear the long story of salvation, and are humbled by your forbearance toward your wayward people. We enter into the mystery of your death and resurrection in our Baptism. We feast on the sweetness of your victorious life at your Table. “Thanks” is too small a word, except that your Spirit searches our hearts and in that small word, utters what we cannot express for all you have done, and all that you are.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fill the Church with light of your crucified and risen life. Make it resplendent with holiness, charity, and truth. Let it shine the light of your love upon those who dwell in the shadows of sin and death, so with one voice we sing, “Christ is risen, Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Shatter the hateful words and malicious acts of all who persecute your followers. Raise up your suffering servants, and grant them courage and joy. By their faithful witness, lead their tormentors to repentance, so together they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Make us lovely with your mercy, forgiveness, and goodness. Use us to draw many who are afar off into your welcoming embrace, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Clothe the newly baptized in the festal robes of faith and innocence. Lead them in the pathways of faith toward you and fervent love toward others. And teach them to constantly sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let peace and righteousness kiss; let mercy and healing overflow; and let wisdom and faith abound throughout the world. Grant that all people, in every nation, might come to saving knowledge of you, their Shepherd, Healer, and Lord, so that with one voice they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Keep safe those who risk their lives on behalf of others. Equip them with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sandals of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, so that they accomplish your will in places of danger and injustice, and may rightly sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Raise up all who sit in the shadows of pain, despair, grief, and death. Bring comfort and forgiveness to those who cry out for mercy. Bestow your reconciling grace upon all who are estranged from you and from their loved ones. Grant them and all who love them, your perfect peace, so together all may sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O risen Lord Jesus, those who died trusting you already experience the Easter morning that knows no end. Wipe away our tears, banish our doubts, and fill us with courage and joy. Give us loving hearts, gracious words, and tireless hands to help one another along the way. Lead us through the waters of death, as if on dry ground. By your grace and favor, let us stand with you and with all whom you have redeemed, in your promised Kingdom that has no end, there to sing for all eternity: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Good Friday (April 10, 2020)

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

A brief silence

Forgive and save your Church, O God, for heeding anything that distracts it from knowing, proclaiming, and sharing the love of Jesus, its crucified and risen Redeemer.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and renew pastors, bishops, theologians, and other church leaders when by treacherous words and shameful deeds they crucify Christ anew, and turn people from his salvation.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and guide each of us in this congregation, for the small and great ways in which we fail to love you with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, and do not love one another as Jesus has loved us.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and challenge everyone who says they believe in you, but have more pressing obligations than worship, prayer, forgiveness, or service in your name.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and enlighten all who believe in other gods, or who have limited and distorted notions of who you are.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and rescue all who say they are “spiritual but not religious,” or who are fascinated by the occult or dark spiritual arts.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and teach those who do not believe in you at all, especially those who persecute believers.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and bring to repentance our enemies, personal and communal. Forgive all who slander, lie, and spew hate, as did their spiritual ancestors toward your beloved Son.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and transform all who break promises, break laws, and break hearts, especially when we still struggle to forgive.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and energize all who whine, complain, make excuses, and shift blame to others.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and reform everyone who seeks to divide, not build up; to sow suspicion, not trust; and who insists on their own way at any cost.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and liberate those who are enslaved by their desires, passions, fears, addictions, or by their attraction to evil for its own sake.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and heal all who are caught in snares of illness and pain, depression and anxiety, regret and shame.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive, save, transform, and redeem all of us – for if we are honest, we know we must number ourselves in the great and miserable fellowship of sinners. Forgive, dear Lord, forgive us who despair; who seek revenge; who are cruel and selfish; who are bored and apathetic; who are thoughtless, clueless, heedless, merciless, and faithless.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

By the suffering and passion, of your holy and beloved Son; by his prayers from the Cross for our sake; by his sinless death and his descent into the depths of hell for the sake of sinners; by his glorious resurrection and ascension, and by his promise to come again as victorious Lord of all, forgive us our sins, heavenly Father. Crucify our sins and burn them in hell; but hide us, your poor sinful creatures, in the life-giving wounds of Jesus, and shelter us in his outstretched arms. Anoint us with the same Spirit he committed to you with his dying breath. Raise us, in the power of that Spirit, to share in the glorious resurrection life of Christ. And speed the coming of that great eternal day when everyone whom you have forgiven and healed, transformed and redeemed, is made fit to stand together before your throne, there to praise and adore you in the unity you share with your Son, our Savior and Lord, and with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Maundy Thursday, Cycle A (April 9, 2020)

Let us pray to our merciful God on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Most holy and blessed Lord, we adore you.  We bless you for your love and mercy. We thank you for the Medicine of immortality, graciously offered at the Last Supper and marvelously extended to each of us. We thank you for being so humbly and lovingly washed by Jesus, and called his friends. Help us love one another as he loves us.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Father, fill the Church throughout the world with your Spirit, so it more perfectly loves you and the people your Son came to redeem.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Guide our seminary professors and students, all missionaries of the Gospel, and everyone walking the path of discipleship. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly proclaim Christ, and him crucified.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Strengthen our persecuted sisters and brothers in the faith. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly bear witness to the holiness and love of Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless this congregation. Fill us with your Spirit, so we more perfectly reflect the servant-love of Jesus to one another, and to our neighbors.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Kindle the faith of all who will be baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ at Easter. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly follow in his footsteps.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bestow wisdom upon all who have authority and power in our world. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly accomplish your will for the good of the people entrusted to their care.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant courage and integrity to all who risk their lives for the sake of others. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly establish safety and peace in this troubled world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of for everyone who is sick, grieving, estranged, ashamed, addicted, abused, confused, or despairing, especially: {List}. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly cling to Christ, their life, their health, and their salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, this day we share a foretaste of your eternal feast, prepared for all whom you have redeemed by the passion, death, and resurrection of your dear Son. Fill us with your Spirit, so that we more perfectly take up our Cross, follow Jesus wherever he leads, and encourage one another along life’s way. Bring us, through the merits of Christ, into your Kingdom, where with him and the Holy Spirit, you reign in the joyous glory of heaven’s endless day.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

For these things, dear Father, and for whatever else is needful, we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of Me.”  For as often as
you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He
comes” (1 Corinthians 11:25-26).

The new
covenant in my blood….  Not like the
old where we strived, but in the new recognizing that all we strive to do will
not overcome the problem of sin.  Only in
Christ and through what He has done are we able to move forward.  Proclaim the Good News until He comes again,
that freedom from the recompense of sin is a gift for those who accept Christ
as Lord.

I do not fully understand, yet in a small way I do.  All the striving in the world merely repeats
the same process.  You have come to show
that apart from You it is impossible, but that with You all things are
possible.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of
truth that I may now and always abide in the truth You have revealed and
partake of the grace made possible through Your shed blood.

Lord Jesus,
You have done what needed to be done. 
You have come that all who turn to You may have life.  Guide me in the new life You give that I may
now and always live into the hope You give. 
Lead me in faithfulness that I may see more clearly each day the things
You have done and the things You are doing. 
Through You alone, help me see that You keep on giving that all who
believe may share the Good News of what You have done.  Amen.

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to
you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and
said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  (1 Corinthians 11:23-24)

This is My
body….  We can become bogged down in
the argument of whether we are to remember, to believe it is some literalism,
or just do it in remembrance.  Regardless
the way in which Your mind works, if it helps, do whatever you do because the
Lord has commanded it.   Be gracious in
and to all, for it is by grace that you have been saved, knowing that it is
what the Lord is doing that is important.

As I partake of the gift You have given Lord, help me to
have a heart that is thankful.  Guide me
according to Your purpose that I may now and always live knowing that I am in
Your presence.  Feed me as You alone can
feed me and keep me from insisting that the way I think is the only plausible
way.  Your thoughts are above my thoughts
and Your ways are above my ways.  Lead me
knowing this truth.

Lord Jesus,
before You went to the cross, You gave gifts to the faithful.  Unite me with the saints of all times and
places that I may humbly abide in Your presence according to Your Word.  Feed me the bread of heaven and enliven my
spirit with the knowledge of Your presence that I may now and always rejoice in
Your atonement and resurrection.  Lead me
as You know I need to be led that I may live into the life to which You have
called me.  Amen.

“For there must also be factions among you, so that those
who are approved may become evident among you. 
Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s
Supper,  for in your eating each one
takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk.  What! Do you not have houses in which to eat
and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have
nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise
you” (1 Corinthians 11:19-21).

The specific
circumstances may vary, but the principle remains.  There are those who come to the Lord’s house
for reasons other than worshiping the Lord. 
It ought not be this way, but sadly it is.  The question then is for you.  What then ought you to do?  As far as you are concerned, go to the Lord’s
house for His word and sacrament and live in harmony with the Lord, for it is
He alone whom you are to please.

Lord, help me at all times to remember that it is You alone
whom I serve.  In all that I do, may my
heart be inclined to You.  Guide me that
I may always keep focus knowing that You are the One who is beside and before
me.  Help me understand better that it is
You whom I serve and that You alone are the One who is to be pleased.  May my service be undistracted as I gather
with others to worship You.

Lord Jesus,
You were constantly distracted by those who pressed in around You.  Help me Lord see that in You alone is the
hope for us all.  By Your example, guide
me to live according to Your Word and do what is pleasing in the Father’s
sight.  Through all things, may I be
found faithful to Your calling and following Your example of being humble,
patient, and attentive.  Amen.