The Lord calls us

Minister The Lord be with you!

All And also with you!

Minister Today, we are called by the one true God, Yahweh, the Father of lights, to present ourselves before him in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, as we are raised into the heavenly places through his Holy Spirit. Hear his words:

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Minister Hearing now his call, let us rejoice as we come to our king, for he delights in his people! Rise up; let us sing { hymn}.

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Minister We are coming by the Spirit into heaven itself. We must remember that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, and we all deserve his just wrath and condemnation. For what does our God require of us but to do justice, to love righteousness, and to walk humbly with him—as it is written, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. But brothers, have we wholly obeyed in this?

All No—we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Minister Come, bow down before our maker, to seek his mercy and help.

Here we prostrate ourselves before God as we are able, following the uniform example of men and angels throughout the scriptures.

The Lord cleanses us

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Minister Father, only you know the true depth of our corruption. Yet you assure us that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. We know that you love to show mercy to the broken and contrite of heart. So for your name’s sake, Lord, have mercy!

All Lord have mercy!

Minister Lift up your heads, and stand to hear what God has to say to you, a sinner.

Here we stand to hear God’s pronouncement of forgiveness.
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Minister Let us give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

All His steadfast love endures forever!

Minister Father, we thank you that from before the foundation of the world you elected us to be your own. Please cast us not from your presence. Lord Jesus, we thank you that through the blood of your cross, you sealed our redemption and paid for our sins in full. Please clothe us with your righteousness. Holy Spirit, we thank you that you brought us to faith and new life, and will one day raise us from the dead. Please renew a right spirit within us to serve you as we ought. Amen.

All Amen.

Minister Let us sing to the rock of our salvation with {hymn}.

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The Lord shapes us

Minister A reading from { passage }. These are God’s words.

All By them we live.

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The Lord receives our prayers & tribute

Minister Let us respond to the reading of God’s word by praising him with {hymn}.

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Minister We have now come to the part of our service where we join our forefathers in their response of faith to God’s word.

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Here we recite a creed, confession, or catechism question & may receive brief instruction about it.

Minister Now it is time to respond to God’s word with our own prayers and thanks. Scripture tells us that we should rejoice, and be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God.

  Our Father—

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Minister I invite all the men of the congregation to pray, lifting holy hands, and then I will conclude our time of prayer.

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The Lord eats with us

Minister We are now coming to the Lord’s table. It is not our table, but the Lord’s—so if you are baptized in his name, he bids you come. But as you do so, let each one test himself, that he is at peace with Christ and his people—lest you eat or drink judgment on yourself. If you are divided from Christ or his body, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s Supper. First be reconciled, then come and eat together. But if you are at peace with God, and have true fellowship with his saints, either at this church or another, so eat of the bread, and drink of the cup—as it is written: You shall eat and rejoice before Yahweh your God, in the place which he has chosen, to cause his name to abide there.

  The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat. This is my body, which is given for you. Let us follow his example and give thanks for this bread before we eat it.

{{ thanksgiving & distribution of the bread }}

Here we wait one for another, that we may eat together.

Minister In the same way, after they had eaten, he took the cup, saying, Drink from it, all of you; this is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for many unto forgiveness of sins. Do this unto my remembrance.

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Here we drink as the cup comes to us.
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The Lord commissions us

Minister As we return to the world, remember your charge as subjects of its creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, the ruler of the kings of the earth: You are not your own, but were bought with a price to be members of his own body. Cleave unto him and serve him. You have heard his ways—now walk in them, as doers of his word, and not hearers only, that Christ be formed in you. As his ambassadors, let your light shine before men. Be strong and of good courage; behold, he it is that goes with you. He will never fail you, nor forsake you. Fear him alone, and be not dismayed by the wicked. When the whirlwind passes, they are no more—but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.

Minister Praise God from whom all blessings flow—

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All Amen! We go in the name of Christ.