We ask God to make the Scripture fresh, encouraging, and convicting to us as we sit under its ministry.
From “The Collect for Purity,” by Thomas Cranmer
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We confess our sins together and ask God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.
Dear Lord, we come to you in confession. Our ways have been far from blameless. We confess that we have failed to keep your Word. We have tried to seek you, but not with our whole hearts. We confess that our efforts to follow after you are half-hearted. We have not been steadfast in obeying your Word. Why have we not hidden your word in our hearts? We confess our impure hearts, O Lord! We long for upright hearts, that we might no longer sin against you, and against one another! Lord, forgive us. Teach us to be steadfast in your ways. Purify our hearts with your wisdom. For Jesus’ sake, amen.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, we have great reason to praise our Lord! When we confess our sins and obey the decrees of the Lord, he will never forsake us. Through the power of Jesus we are forgiven of our sins. God opens the path to a righteous and blameless by giving us the righteous and blameless life of Jesus! His life and death and resurrection empower us to follow God with our whole hearts. He frees us to praise the Lord, and to remain a loyal student and disciple of his Word forever. Praise the Lord!
Ruth Pfister, Organ
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be
World without end. Amen! Amen!
During our current series, our New Testament lessons are selected to complement the study of the Ten Commandments.
Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.