From Everlasting to Everlasting

Verse for the week: “Save us, O Lord our God,
    and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.”  Psalm 106.47

Prayer for the week: Almighty Father, your living Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing soul and spirit, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. You judge each and all of us in righteousness, and in Christ alone you promise forgiveness for us, the unrighteous. Thank you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 106.1-5,47-48

Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
    or declare all his praise?
³ Blessed are they who observe justice,
    who do righteousness at all times!

⁴ Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
    help me when you save them,
⁵ that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
    that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
    that I may glory with your inheritance.

⁴⁷ Save us, O Lord our God,
    and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.

⁴⁸ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
    Praise the Lord!

Prayer for the week: Gracious and almighty Father, Christ crucified is your steadfast love for us in the flesh; in him you show your full favor to me. Thank you. I have no righteousness of my own to bring, Lord… so I wait for you to gather me and your church to yourself and to make your inheritance my own. Blessed be your name, O Lord, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a little banjo blessing day camp fun that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adN8wc2LUPQ&ab_channel=St.Stephen%E2%80%99sLutheranChurchLexington%2CSC

“Thy kingdom come…”

What does this mean?  God’s kingdom comes indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it would come also to us.

When does this happen?  God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly life on earth now and in heaven forever. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!”
    Praise the Lord!   Psalm 106.48

 

*This is now our congregation’s 99^th year in the Word. In 2025, we are reading from Genesis to Revelation, with a few interludes along the way.