The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week of Pentecost 2 (June 23-28, 2025)

Invocation: In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Acts 15:11 – “We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #644 “The Church’s One Foundation”

Hymns for Sunday: 650, 644, 617, 518 (v. 19), 826, 816

Readings for the Week: [The readings for Thursday-Saturday are the Scriptures for this coming Sunday.]

Monday: 1 Kings 19:9b–21

Do we usually look for God in the ordinary or the extraordinary? Why? Why does God come to us as He does? Why is this good?

Tuesday: Galatians 5:1, 13–25

What does it mean to be free? Free from what? How do we use our freedom – self-indulgence or service? Why? What is the Spirit working in us? How is serving really freedom?

Wednesday: Luke 9:51–62

What was Jesus determined to do? Did He? Why? Why did He have to? What is our determination often like? Why?

Thursday: Acts 15:1–21

Is keeping the Law necessary for salvation? Why or why not?

Friday: Galatians 2:1–10

How was this disagreement in the church resolved? On what basis? Why is this important? What about among us today?

Saturday: Matthew 16:13–19

How is the confession of Jesus as the Christ the foundation of the Church and the key to heaven? Is there any other?

The Catechism - The Lord’s Prayer: The First Petition [Part 2]: Hallowed by Thy name. How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

Collect for the Week: Merciful and eternal God, Your holy apostles Peter and Paul received grace and strength to lay down their lives for the sake of Your Son. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that we may confess Your truth and at all times be ready to lay down our lives for Him who laid down His life for us, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

The Prayers:  Please pray for . . .

+ yourself and for all in need (remembering especially those on our prayer list).

+ God’s blessing, wisdom, and guidance for our congregational Board of Elders.

+ the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for Lutheran Braille Workers.

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer from the Catechism.

Now joyfully go about your day (or to bed) in good cheer, child of God!

Collect for the Week © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Lutheran Service Book Hymn License: 110019268