The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week of Pentecost 18 (September 28 - October 3, 2026)

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

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Philippians 3:13b-14 – “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #544 “O Love, How Deep”

Hymns for Sunday: 506, 544, 624, 536, 571, 585

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

Monday: Psalm 80:7-19

How does this reading start and end the same? How is it also  different? What (and who!) is our only hope? Why? How?

Tuesday: Psalm 91

What is frightening in this psalm? What is comforting? What promises are here for you? How are these fulfilled for you?

Wednesday: Deuteronomy 10:12-21

Why should we walk in the ways of the Lord? How do we do this? Why are they good for us? 

Thursday: Isaiah 5:1–7

How are God’s people Israel described? What does God expect? But what does He get? Why? So what does He do? Why? 

Friday: Philippians 3:4b–14

How does Paul describe his former life? How does he describe his present life? How are they different? Which is better? Why?

Saturday: Matthew 21:33-46

Why did the tenants do what they did? What/who did they love? Why did the owner do what he did? What/who did he love? What does this teach us about God and his love?

The Catechism - The Lord’s Prayer: The Conclusion: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. What does this mean? This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “yes, yes, it shall be so.”

Collect for the Week: Gracious God, You gave Your Son into the hands of sinful men who killed Him. Forgive us when we reject Your unfailing love, and grant us the fullness of Your salvation; through 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 vice president, Rob Douthwaite.

+ Lutheran Church in Africa - Synod of Benin, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for the Higher Things youth organization.

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