Listen
Order of Service
- Prelude
- Hymn 461, vv. 1, 2 & 4,
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come - First Article & Explanation
Hymn 466, We Praise Thee, O God
Reading: Romans 13:1-7 - Homily
- Prayer for Our Nation
- Hymn 602,
God Bless Our Native Land - The Blessing
- Postlude
Prayer for Our Nation
P: Almighty God and Father, We thank you for all of the earthly blessings
which You shower down upon our nation.
C: Guide and bless all lawful authority, especially our President, the Congress, and the Governor and legislators of this state.
P: Give them wisdom and sound judgment that justice may prevail and
wickedness be hindered and punished.
C: We commend to Your care those who serve our nation in the armed forces. Keep them in Your gracious care according to Your will. Be with their families and comfort them with the peace which this world cannot give.
P: Let your blessing rest upon seed time and harvest, on commerce and industry, on medicine and science; sanctify the arts and culture, the rest and leisure of Your people.
C: Protect all who travel and grant them a safe return. Above all cause us to remain faithful citizens of Your Kingdom of grace through Christ our Lord, and finally take us to the eternal home He has prepared for us.
All: We ask this all in His name. Amen.
Scripture
Romans 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.