Peter declared God’s saving power in Christ’s suffering once for our sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. He was offered as our substitute sacrifice, and God raised him again in the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter testified that Jesus proclaimed God’s salvation to the spirits in prison, and now provides God’s very own cleansing and saving power to all, symbolized in baptism. Jesus now is raised to God’s right hand, to a position of glory and honor, for God’s glory alone.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Father God, who has magnified the name of your Son and exalted him to your right hand in the heavenlies, thank you that you gave him for us as a sacrifice for us, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to you that we might glorify your name. Cause us to understand the glory of your Son, who must reign in power until all his enemies are placed under his feet, at your command. Through Jesus our Lord, amen.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

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.

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.

Benediction 
Thank you, living and exalted Christ, for your sacrifice and suffering for humankind, for giving your own life for us that you might bring us back to God. Help us to understand and celebrate the mystery of your exaltation at the Father’s right hand, and to serve you in life, rejoicing with all of your people who bless your name. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Be exalted, O risen and ascended Christ, now at the right hand of God, for you must reign till all your enemies submit to your will.

Weekly Reflection on the Sovereign Love of God
Why ought we pay attention to the ancient Church? Are we involved in our own fresh attempt to rediscover “the New Testament Church practice” in such a way that jumps across the historical divide, and ignores how the Spirit has worked in the Church through the ages? No. Our attempt to understand our common roots is not a rejection of what the Holy Spirit has done and is doing in and through the Church in history. Rather, we are suggesting that rediscovering our common roots can allow us to find fresh, vital ways to both reaffirm our true spiritual identity as well as communicate the Gospel afresh to our neighbors today.

~ Don L. Davis, Sacred Roots: A Primer on the Great Tradition.
Wichita: TUMI Press, 2010. Loc. 279, Kindle.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
For God So Loved the World, John 3.14-21

Book Reading
Davis, Sacred Roots