Text: Psalm 103:8–14 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the…

Opening Prayer O draw us to You, merciful Friend of sinners. Amen. Text: Luke 7:36–50 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat…

Opening Prayer Lord, give us living knowledge of sin, living faith, and holy life. Amen. Text: Matthew 9:9–13 Then as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he arose and followed Him. And so it was, as Jesus…

Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, let Your Word chasten and humble us. Amen. Text: Luke 15:25–32 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to…

Opening Prayer Lord, bring us lost sinners back to You. Amen. Text: Luke 15:17–24 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I…

Opening Prayer Faithful God, keep us; do not let us depart from You. Amen. Text: Luke 15:11–16 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not…

Opening Prayer Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psa 124:8) Amen. Text: First Peter 5:6–11 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant;…

Opening Prayer O God, teach us to know Your mercy. Amen. Text: Luke 15:1–10 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of…

Opening Prayer Lord God, give us grace by Your Spirit to hear Your glorious Word. Amen. Text: Isaiah 55:1–5 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what…

Opening Prayer Grant that we fear You, Lord, and know the true Word of Your grace. Amen. Text: Acts 13:44–49 And the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the…