Ignatius of Loyola

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve:
To give and not count the cost
To fight and not heed the wounds
To toil and not seek for rest
To labor and not to ask for any reward
save that of knowing that we do your will;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Ignatius of Loyola

3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!Psalm 34 New Living Translation

God of mercy and grace,
I thank you for all the gifts you have given to your servants in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I thank you that you have called us to be one body in Christ Jesus our Lord. May you continue to guide your people. May you give us the faith to trust in you and your Word, the strength to follow wherever you would lead, and the love to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus' name I pray.
Rev Marshall Hahn STS

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 146 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 16:14-17:11 – Acts 10:17-33 – Luke 24:36-53

Johann Sebastian Bach, Heinrich Schutz, George Frederick Handel, Musicians

God of life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and wear us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, we beseech you; turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise. Augustine of Hippo

1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
Psalm 106 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 15:24-35 – Acts 9:32-43 – Luke 23:56b-24:11

Lord, when I try to make peace with others in my world. I often think of the blessings of not having arguments, problems, and unresolved issues. I can't say I really look at the big picture, when just having the immediate blessing seems so good. But You promise me that as I make peace with friends, family, and coworkers, I will reap something else -- goodness.
I'm thankful that Your blessings are not small ones. As I obey You for the little things, You often give me an extra, even better blessing. Thank You for Your generosity. With this second harvest I want to do good for others, as well as myself. Amen
(From "Prayers & Promises")

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Psalm 148 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 13:19-14:15 – Acts 9:1-9 – Luke 23:26-31

Father,
You are the Source of my confident faith.
In every situation, You are my Provider and Protector. In every relationship, You are my Peacemaker. You guide me all of the time, wherever I go, helping me to navigate each obstacle as it appears in my path. You are totally trustworthy and will never let me down. Because I depend on You, I am confident that help will come at exactly the right time. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion,
13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
Psalm 19 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 13:5-18 – Acts 8:26-40 – Luke 23:13-25

Father,
You are the God who makes me whole.
Like the ancient cities that the children of Israel rebuilt time and again, You restore my ruins. Today, I come to You once more, asking for the touch of Your healing hand on my life. I need to know the miracle of Your forgiveness and call upon Your promise to help me rebuild what my foolishness has torn down. Thank You, Lord, for Your constant love and grace. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 10:17-27 – Acts 7:44-8:1a – Luke 22:52-62

Father,
You help me love others.
You are constantly teaching me about Your love through the relationships in my life. I learn about patience from those who frustrate and anger me. I learn about compassion from those who hurt and wrong me. I learn about love from those who have loved me faithfully through the years despite my faults. Lord, I thank You for using my relationships to make me a better person -- a person who is pleasing to You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 O LORD, the God who avenges,
O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long will the wicked, O LORD,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, O LORD;
they oppress your inheritance.
12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD,
the man you teach from your law;
Psalm 94 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 9:1-14 – Acts 7:17-29 – Luke 22:31-38

Gracious Lord, blessings be to you for encouraging me in the hope of salvation. I know that I cannot through my own efforts make myself acceptable. Give me open ears today to hear your call reflect on how I live my life. Help me let go of that which comes between me and life in your kingdom of light. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
2 that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
5 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.
Psalm 67 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 8:1-22 – Acts 6:15-7:16 – Luke 22:24-30

Holy God, you have promised that your Holy Spirit, the spirit of your truth, will be with your church. Help us in the ELCA to discern rightly what your Spirit is saying to the church. Lead us in your truth. Call us to repent of those things which are wrong, especially which have looked good and right in our own eyes. Help me to take responsibility for my own sins and shortcomings, those things which may lead my brothers and sisters into error. Renew a right spirit within all of us who serve in the ELCA, and do not cast us away from your presence. Hear us for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Rev. Erma Wolf STS

1 [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
Psalm 9 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 7:2-17 – Acts 6:1-15 – Luke 22:14-23

Kind and Heavenly Father, we wait with eager longing for the final fulfillment of your promise given to us in Christ Jesus of our union with you and with one another. Guide us in the ELCA, that by your Spirit we may remain faithful to you; and in that faithfulness be joined ever closer to one another. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Rev. Marshall E. Hahn STS

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Psalm 47 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 6:1-16 – Acts 5:27-42 – Luke 21:37-22:13

O GOD, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek your kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance; Send us, we beseech you, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1928 Book of Common Prayer

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 5:1-12 – Acts 5:12-26 – Luke 21:29-36