This Week’s Theme
The Missio Dei
Matthew 28.16-20
Matthew records the meeting of Jesus with the eleven disciples in Galilee, on a mountain where our Lord had directed them. When Jesus appeared they worshiped him, but some doubted. Their misgivings and doubts were quickly resolved, however, when our Lord declared that all authority in heaven and earth were now given to him. He commanded them to therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They were to teach these disciples to observe all that he had commanded them, and he promised that, even to the very end of the age, he would always be with them.
This charge, known as the Great Commission, records the global charge for disciple making for the apostolic company and the Church in this age, until our Lord returns. The Missio Dei (the mission of God) granted to his people is the solemn and wonderful task of declaring to all peoples that new life is given through faith in Jesus’s name. All nations were to hear of God’s redemption, and all who heard and believed were to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The evangelization of the world would be associated with the person of Jesus and the work of the triune God, one God (singular “name”) but three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The triune God of heaven is calling men and women from every nation to become disciples of Jesus, who has promised to never leave them or forsake them. This is God’s commission for his Church.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and prefect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God now and for ever. Amen.
~ The Episcopal Church in the United States of America (The Episcopal Church, p. 251)
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Thursday: Pss. 120-121; 123; 125-126
Lectionary Readings
Psalm: Ps. 8
OT: Gen. 1.1-2.4a
Gospel: Matt. 28.16-20
NT: 2 Cor. 13.11-13
(Click here for all readings)
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
O LORD God, Father Almighty, bless and protect, through Thine Only Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, Thy servants who are obedient to Thy majesty; that being free from fear of all enemies, they may continually rejoice in raising Thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ Gregorian Sacramentary (Wright, p. 65)
Affirmation for the Day
His promise as we go is that he will be with us, even to the end of the age.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
O holy and triune God, in whose name – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – all disciples are baptized, make your glory known through me today and always.
For Your Weekly Journey
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Self-Existence of God, Exodus 3.13-15
Book Reading
Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy