What a blessing this morning as we began to pray. One of the moms (thank you Jill) suggested that we sing Holy God, We Praise Thy Name. So the 7 of us joined voices and we sounded pretty good! Here are the verses in case you don't have a hymnal handy.
1. Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.
2. Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.
3. Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.
4. Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.
5. Thou art King of glory, Christ:
Son of God, yet born of Mary;
For us sinners sacrificed,
And to death a tributary:
First to break the bars of death,
Thou has opened Heaven to faith.
6. From Thy high celestial home,
Judge of all, again returning,
We believe that Thou shalt come
In the dreaded doomsday morning;
When Thy voice shall shake the earth,
And the startled dead come forth.
7. Therefore do we pray Thee, Lord:
Help Thy servants whom, redeeming
By Thy precious blood out-poured,
Thou hast saved from Satan’s scheming.
Give to them eternal rest
In the glory of the blest.
8. Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded:
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee;
Never, Lord, abandon me.
Some additional information on the hymn:
The text for this hymn comes from the fourth century Latin hymn Te Deum Laudamus, which is often attributed to Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-397), but it may go back even further. The German version, which we sing, is attributed to Ignaz Franc (1774).
Ignaz Franz was born: October 12, 1719 in Protzau, Silesia (Poland) and died: August 19, 1790, Breslau, Silesia (now Wrocław, Poland). He was a Roman Catholic priest and is remembered as a hymnologist and compiler.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name by 7 Moms
Friday, September 26
These are our petitions to You Heavenly Father!
Adoration — This is an opportunity to praise God for who HE IS.
Attribute: God is holy.
Definition: spiritually perfect or pure, sinless, deserving adoration
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Hymn #940 (Lutheran Service Book)
Verses to read
- EXODUS 15:11
- 1 PETER 1:15-16
- 1 COR 15:20-23
- PS 31:1-4
- REVELATION 15:4
- PSALM 77:13
For our children:
But just as He who called __________ is holy, let ___________ be holy in all _____ does; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Fruit of the spirit for the kindergartners
- Love for others outside ourselves
- Joy in everyday things- contentment for what we have, thankfulness for families, creation, help us with frustrations to have joy- help me not to complain when things seem burdensome or schedules seem overwhelming to find joy in each day.
- Peace- for children when they are fearful; For a peaceful classroom when both K classes are together- when we are many the voices get loud and it can be less than peaceful.
- Patience- for our children with one another, esp. little girls that get their feelings hurt by other little girls. Patience for children as they wait for things, their turns.
- Kindness- some of our children are starting to show true colors and are not always kind. The problems are minor, but help Mrs. Fuller to teach and model kindness and the children to use kind voices and words, esp. not to leave some children out.
- Goodness- let the children have pure speech and seek to be good- be good citizens , be polite , raise their hands, listen to others.
- Faithfulness- to be loyal to friends and family, families to be faithful in Bible study, worship and prayer, in spending time with one another.
- Gentleness- May we all know how to answer one another in gentleness when wronged by someone else or when we have a need or when I correct or need to encourage a student.
- Self-control- for the students through the day and especially when the kindergarten classes do joint activities.
- Growth of concentration for the students.
- Bless the relationships of each child.
- Give insight into each child.
- Confidence for the children as they learn their letters.
- Prayers for the home lives of each child
Prayers for school pictures on Monday -- what to wear and how to style your hair, wonderful smiles and for the volunteers.
Prayers for the stewardship emphasis this weekend --- time, talent and treasures.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Lutherans love to sing and we have a rich heritage of music.
Martin Luther says, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
The Lutheran Service Book (LSB) is filled with hymns that can be read or sung as part of a devotional time.
In prayer this week we are focusing on the truth that God is Holy and we are praying for Mrs. Fuller and the kindergartners.
This hymn speaks clearly --- “Holy God, We Praise They Name”. The text for this hymn comes from the fourth century Latin hymn Te Deum Laudamus, which is often attributed to Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-397), but it may go back even further. The German version, which we sing, is attributed to Ignaz Franc (1774). It’s hymn #940 in the LSB. While our hymnal only gives 5 stanzas, there are really 8 stanzas. If you are not the singing type, there are many Youtube videos that will bring the tune to mind.
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.” (Stanza 1)
For more stanzas, either grab your hymnal or go to Cyberhymnal.
Here's additional information on this particular hymn.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Issues Etc
TALK RADIO FOR THE THINKING CHRISTIAN...Tune in daily (M-F) to a radio talk show that engages the issues of the day from a distinctively Lutheran perspective.
Issues, Etc. is hosted by Lutheran Pastor Todd Wilken and is produced by Lutheran Public Radio.
You can listen 'live' on the Internet -- but it's during dinner time.....so you can listen on demand 24/7 or better yet, subscribe to the podcast and fill your ipod with good talk radio.
This is an example of a show entitled "Daily Prayers from Luther's Small Catechism" which aired on September 11th. Have a listen.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, September 19
These are petitions to you Heavenly Father!
Adoration — This is an opportunity to praise God for who HE IS. No answer to prayer or prayer requests during this time.
Love is the fruit for September
Attribute: God is Love.
Definition: strong and intense affection, benevolence, kindness, and tenderness
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Verses to read:
- Psalm 136:1-9
- Ephesians 3:16-19
- 1 John 3:1
- John 3:16
- Romans 8:38-39
- 1 John 4:16
- 1 john 4:10
- Isaiah 49:15-16
- Jeremiah 31:3
Supplication — This is our time to call on God for guidance and help, and to intercede for others.
For our children:
I pray that out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen _________ with power through his Spirit in _____ inner being, so that Christ may dwell in ______ heart through faith. And I pray that ________, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that __________ may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Lord, our Father, make our school bright, safe halls of learning. Fill it with health and joy. Furnish the tools necessary for good learning. Make Our Shepherd a place where children grow into the people You want them to be. Keep those who would injure our students far away. Give students and teachers deep love for one another and for their work together. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen (from Portals of Prayer, July-Sept)
For our teachers:
Lord, bless our teachers at the start of this school year and throughout the coming year. Pour love into teachers’ hearts, so that they will care for their students. Fill them with enthusiasm for their subjects, so that they may inspire eager love for learning. Through our teachers, train up our young people in the way they should go. Grant them wisdom in all they do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen (from Portals of Prayer, July-Sept)
Specific Prayer Requests for our School:
- Unity with the teachers and staff
- Sufficient enrollment
- A successful October Community Connection
- Volunteers and ‘goods’ for the rummage sale and lots of sales
- Thanksgiving for all the helpers with the library book sale
- Generous giving to the Church and our budget
- Wisdom in spending
- A safe, fun and faith-filled Oktoberfest
- Successful start for some of the clubs at school -- The Drama Club, The Latin Club and the Technology Club
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Prayer, the Heartbeat of Faith
“Prayer is inseparable from the spiritual life of the child of God; it is the heartbeat of his faith. Whoever has become a child of God desires to speak to his heavenly Father; he prays. The Christian worships God in prayer.”
Quoted from Light from Above by Alfred Koehler
Monday, September 15, 2008
BibleGateway
If you can't find your Bible or you want to type a Bible verse there is a great website on the Internet with the Bible in numerous translations ranging from the NIV to Chinese to Arabic to Icelandic to the King James and everything in between.
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
16 「 神 爱 世 人 ， 甚 至 将 他 的 独 生 子 赐 给 他 们 ， 叫 一 切 信 他 的 ， 不 至 灭 亡 ， 反 得 永 生 。 (Chinese)
What's the Collect?
Every Sunday in our liturgy the pastor reads a prayer called the Collect. It has a very rich history. It's changes weekly and reflects the theme of the day. It's printed in our weekly bulletin so that you can read it at home throughout the week as part of a personal devotion time.
But exactly what is the 'collect'?
The collect is the 'prayer of the day'. The collect begins with "Let us pray", inviting the worshipers to join their hearts in prayer with the pastor. The collect is a prayer that gathers request related to the Scriptures of the day. They have been used by the church for at least 15 centuries.
The parts of this formal prayer usually include:
- Invocation - addressing God
- Basis - why ask these things
- Petition - our specific request
- Purpose or benefit - desired result
- Closing doxology - praise to God
Most Collects are addressed to God the Father and all close in Jesus' name, as Jesus instructed. John 15:16
The Collect of the Day for Sunday, September 14 which is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost:
"O God, your refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain: through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What is Prayer? The Small Catechism
Luther’s Small Catechism (as well as the Large Catechism) is a treasure trove when it comes to prayer. In the explanation of the Lord’s Prayer (1943 edition) it says:
“What is Prayer?”
Prayer is an act of worship wherein we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. "
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. "
Matthew 6:7
"LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear."
"Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. "
Monday, September 1, 2008
Ready to Listen Always
Last week was very eventful on many fronts. Barak Obama accepted the Democratic Nomination becoming the first African American to run for president. Senator McCain picked his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin from Alaska, making her the first Republican woman on a national ticket. Then today, Hurricane Gustav is slamming the Gulf Coast states. Not a boring week if you like to watch Fox News.
On a more personal level, we're been in school for a week. The routine for another year of learning is being created. Kids are seeing their friends again. Teachers are getting to know their new students. Parents are finding all kinds of volunteer opportunities.
The Lutheran Hour devotion for August 31 reminds me of the simplicity of prayer. So often we make prayer more complicated and the consequence is that prayer doesn't happen.
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"Ready To Listen"
August 31, 2008
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
People like pastors to pray with them. At least some people do. Maybe they think a pastor has a more direct line. We don't, but we do like to pray.
Some years ago, I was on the phone and talking with a friend. During the course of the conversation he asked me to have a prayer with him over the phone. I had just begun with, "Dear Lord," when my daughter came in.
Overhearing that "Dear Lord", she stopped in her tracks, and without any kind of smile said, "Is that God on the phone, daddy? If it is, don't let Him hang up when you're done, I've got a couple of things I need to talk to Him about, too."
Did you smile at that story? I'm glad you did. You probably smiled because you recognized that, as a little child, she believed God was really right there, and He really wanted to listen to her prayer.
Since that day, I've drawn a great deal of contentment from the knowledge that my daughter, without any kind of sophistication, had a better understanding of God than her daddy, the preacher.
She knew what I sometimes forget: God really is ready to listen. Maybe you've forgotten that, too.
Which is why, if you have felt that God is distant in your life, or if you think He has stopped paying attention to your prayers, I'd like you to think of my daughter.
Even more, because of Jesus and the reunion His life, death and resurrection have brought about, God is really there, and He is ready to listen to His children. Because of the Savior, your heavenly Father wants to know what you have to say.
The truth is: God doesn't hang up on you. If you've got something to say to Him, He's ready to listen to you.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for always being ready to listen to me. I am comforted and strengthened in the knowledge that You will, because of Jesus, never hang up on me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
