Our Father by whose name...

 ...all fatherhood is known.

Verse for the week: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!”  Psalm 133.1

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, make me to know your ways, even as it means the death of my will, lead me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation, for you my soul waits all the day long;  through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 133  (This is a song of ascents, sung by families on their way up to Jerusalem to go to worship together. It is a prayer raised up to the Lord.)

¹ Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
² It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
³ It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious and Almighty Father, thank you for the gift of our families... the incubators of our life and faith. Because of our sin and the devil’s constant lurking, the gift of our families can be overshadowed and become a burden. Trace your lost image on us again that we may bear that burden with your grace rather than our willfulness. Grant that your presence and grace, your will and word, would fall down upon our parched families like the fresh morning dew of the mountain. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimsQtU-ccQ&ab_channel=AndrewRemillard

“Give us this day our daily bread…”

What does this mean?  God’s gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask in this prayer that he will help us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanks.

What is meant by “daily bread”?  Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.   Psalm 149.4

 

*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.