Covered

 

Today on the church calendar we celebrate the Ascension of our LORD. 40 days after Easter our LORD led His disciples outside the city of Jerusalem. There He blessed them. As He was blessing them, He was taken into heaven. This day reminds us of three realities. The LORD continues to bless us. Also the LORD has promised that He will return on the last great day.  This is the promise given to us on that first Ascension: “This same Jesus will return in the same way you have seen Him go.”  Finally. We have this sure promise. The LORD is always near. Recall the last five words He spoke on this earth; “I am with you always.”  This then is your reality. 

Opening Prayer:

Almighty God, as Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.

That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.

And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

# 60 “My Faith looks up to Thee.”

Psalm 32: 1-5

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit, there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.

I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgives the iniquity of my sin.

Also hear the words of Romans 4:7-8 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

We so often fail when it comes to covering things up. We hear it all too often on the news. We can see it in everyday life. But when it comes to our connection to God we rejoice in these words found in1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” This is good news. The blood of Jesus covers all sin.”

The best laid plans. Don’t always work out. Try as we might. There can be glaring reminders of how we so often Stumble. Fumble. Flop and Fall…

Ø Muddy footprints

Ø A Science experiment that went wrong

Ø The wall in the garage

The LORD JESUS Carries our sin: Like the true and better scapegoat. Jesus becomes our sin-bearer. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Through His wounds, we find healing. adds, Paul would remind us: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

He Cancels our sin: Jesus closes out the account of sin.  Paul explains: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 In Christ, you find a new account. Where His perfect righteousness covers you.

He Crucifies It: At the cross, Jesus dies and takes our sin with Him. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 Only the sin remains dead.

He Carries It: Jesus becomes our sin-bearer. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” 1 Peter 2:24 Through His wounds. You find healing. St. Paul adds, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

He Cancels It: Jesus closes out the account of sin. Paul explains,

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14In Christ, we find a new account. Where His perfect righteousness covers us.

And He Covers It: At the cross, Jesus dies and takes our sin with Him.  Hear these words from St. Peter as he  states, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18  In Christ you are forever free.

Prayer: Lord Jesus. Thank you for Your love and care. You cover all sin. In ways we can’t. Thank you for making us You very own.

Compassionate Father, thank you for giving me the gift of abundant, eternal life. You have said you are the God who blots out my transgressions and remembers my sins no more. When I am reminded of my past failures, free me from despair and shame. My debt has been completely paid by Jesus. I am free from condemnation, free from guilt and free from shame. Let me be transformed into your likeness through the presence of your Holy Spirit living in me. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

#61 “My Hope is built on nothing less.”

The Collect for Purity Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid.

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen

In peace let us pray to the LORD. Today we pray…

For all people in their daily life and work.

We pray -For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

We pray -For this community at Lincolnshire, the nation, and the world.

We pray -For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

We pray -For the just and proper use of your creation.

We pray -For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

We pray -For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble.

We pray -For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

We pray -For the peace and unity of the Church of God.

We pray -For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

We pray -For all who serve God in his Church.

We pray -For the special needs and concerns at this place... we ask you to hear us, Lord.

We pray -For your mercy is great. We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life... We will exalt you, O God our King; And praise your Name for ever and ever.

LORD, let your loving-kindness be upon them, who put their trust in you.

Direct us, O Lord, in all our actions by Your gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Your name, we may glorify Your holy name and finally by Your mercy receive eternal life.

Visit, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep all harm and danger far from them.

Grant that we may dwell together in peace under Your protection, sharing eternally in Your blessings.

Lord God, You showed Your glory and led many to faith by the works of Your Son. As He brought gladness and healing to His people, grant us these same gifts, and lead us also to perfect faith in Him.

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority.

Anoint us with the power of your Spirit, that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind upon the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives.

Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit.

 

Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessing remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luther’s Morning Prayer

We thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept us from all harm and danger;

and we pray that You would keep us this day also from sin and every evil, that all our doing and life may please You.

For into Your hands we commend ourselves, our body and soul, and all things. Let your Holy Spirit be with us, that the evil foe have no power over us.

As our Savior Christ has taught, we are bold to pray: 

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done.

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever.

Go and live a deeper life in Christ. A more holy communion with one another. And a greater love for the world.

The Blessing of God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you all.

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