The Congregation at Prayer

For Holy Week (March 30  April 4, 2026)

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

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: John 12:32 – “[Jesus said:] “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #450 “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”

Hymns for Holy Maundy Thursday: 445, 422, 617, 450

Hymns for Holy Good Friday: 440, 451, 434, 708 (v. 3)

Hymns for Easter Vigil: 487, 478

Hymns for Sunday: 465, 458, 633, 464, 467, 457

Readings for the Week:

Monday: Mark 14:1 – 15:47

The Passion according to St. Mark. Pay special attention to all the words spoken in Mark’s account. What do you notice?

Tuesday: John 12:20-50

How is the cross Jesus’ glory? Why is the cross where Jesus wanted to be seen by the Greeks? Why is this also true for us?

Wednesday: Luke 22:1 – 23:56

The Passion according to St. Luke. What details does Luke include here that Mark did not? Why do you think that is?

Thursday: John 13:1-20

How is foot washing about more than foot washing? What words in this account reveal this? What daily washing do we need?

Friday: John 18:1 – 19:42

The Passion according to St. John. How does John depict Jesus as being in control of all that is happening this night?

Saturday: Daniel 6:1-24

How is what happened to Daniel here a foreshadowing of what happened to Jesus?

The Catechism - The Ten Commandments: The Ninth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.

Collect for the Week: O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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 financial secretary, Dave Fields.

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

+ God’s blessing, guidance, wisdom, and provision for the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

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