May 31, 2021
Dear friends,
Our hymnal is a great book and a valuable resource to have in your home. You can find a copy here (https://www.cph.org/p-98-lutheran-service-book-pew-edition.aspx).
Among the helpful things in the hymnal is a large selection of prayers for many different occasions. In the front cover of the hymnal are some prayers specific to worship.
Here’s the prayer before confession and absolution:
Almighty, everlasting God, for my many sins I justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your dear Son, my Lord Jesus Christ, who won for me forgiveness of sins and everlasting salvation. Grant me a true confession that, dead to sin, I may be raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant me Your Holy Spirit that I may be ever watchful and live a true and godly life in Your service; through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
It is good to take time to prepare for worship. You hear me say before each service that it is fitting to examine yourself according to the Ten Commandments before you eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood, but really, it is fitting to do that regardless of whether or not you are communing.
The temptation to worship mindlessly is always present, but a little work beforehand can help in the fight against temptation.
Prayer is the most important part of that. Pray that when you worship, you’ll worship in faith, properly lamenting your sins, desiring to do better, and holding fast to the promises of God.
You can also prepare by reading ahead. Read the lessons for the coming Sunday during the week. Sing the Hymn of the Day. The lessons and the hymn are both indicated in the bulletin insert from the Sunday before in the Family of Prayer page on the back.
Give it a try. I think you’ll find that a bit of preparation really helps on a Sunday morning!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs