The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week after Christmas (December 29, 2025 - January 3, 2026)

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

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Psalm 96:8 – “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #370 “What Child Is This”

Hymns for Sunday: 810, 395, 370, 397, 400, 394

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

Monday: 1 Kings 3:4–15

If God appeared to you like this, what would you have asked for? What have you asked God for? Why? What can Solomon teach us here? What do we learn about God here?

Tuesday: Ephesians 1:3–14

What has God done for you? What does the Lord desire for you? What has the Lord given you? How does this give you confidence and hope now and for the future?

Wednesday: Luke 2:40–52

Where did Jesus go? What was He doing? Why were His parents astonished? What does this teach us about Jesus?

Thursday: Isaiah 60:1–6

Why is Jesus called “light” here? How is His glory seen? Who comes to that light? How do you? What gifts do you receive?

Friday: Ephesians 3:1–12

The Gentiles are “fellow heirs” – with who? Of what? How are you also an heir? What is your promised inheritance?

Saturday: Matthew 2:1-12

Why was the star not enough for the wise men? What else did they need to find Jesus? How is this true for us today as well?

The Catechism - The Sacrament of the Altar: Who receives this Sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.

Collect for the Week: Almighty God, You have poured into our hearts the true Light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this Light may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, 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 congregation recording secretary, TJ Myers.

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

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for our Synod’s Soldiers of the Cross program.

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