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Complete Service
Order of Service
- Prelude
- Luther's Morning Prayer (p. 36)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray You to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen. - Hymn 57 - Evening and Morning, Sunset and Dawning View
vv. 1, 2, 4 - Commentary
Paul Gerhardt will preach to us this morning through his hymns. Paul Gerhardt is the greatest German hymnwriter after Martin Luther. He lived through the difficult times of the Thirty Years War. Death took his wife and his children. Yet he writes hymns of dearest comfort and consolation, such as: Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve me? Gerhardt’s hymns are very personal and devotional, while at the same time also teaching the doctrines of the Christian faith. He thanks God for creation, for salvation, and for the consolation of the Holy Spirit. He prays for himself, the whole church, and the whole world. - Hymn 52 - All Ye Who On This Earth Do Dwell View
vv. 1 - 4 - Commentary
Gerhardt’s hymns take us through the whole life of Jesus our Savior. The next three hymns commemorate that Jesus was born, died, and rose again for our salvation. As we sing these three hymns, contemplate that Jesus was born for you, died for you, and rose again for you. - Hymn 128 - Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising View
vv. 1, 3, 5, 7 - Hymn 304 - Upon the Cross Extended View
vv. 1, 4, 12 - Hymn 341 - Awake, My Heart, With Gladness View
vv. 1, 6 - Commentary
The work of the Holy Spirit is to bring us to spiritual life again because we are born dead in trespasses and sins. The Holy Spirit is given to us in baptism and lives within us throughout our life. He intercedes for us with our inexpressible groanings, when we don’t know how to put our prayers into words. We are forgiven for our sins. We are beloved by God through faith in Christ. We are children of God and our eternal home is in heaven. - Hymn 400 - O Enter, Lord, Thy Temple View
- Commentary
When we pray in Jesus’ name, that is, with faith in Christ, God hears our prayers and answers them. He promises to guard and protect us, to keep us steadfast, and to bring us to heaven. We pray for ourselves, our family, and we join all Christians around the world in thanking God who is our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter. - Hymn 569 - Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow View
vv. 1, 4, 6 - The Benediction (p. 87)