Greeting from Pastor Nick, live at 9:30 AM:

With the words of this Psalm, God calls you to worship him.

Psalm 97:1-2, 10-12

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;

let the distant shores rejoice.

Clouds and thick darkness surround him;

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 

Let those who love the Lord hate evil,

for he guards the lives of his faithful ones

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light shines  on the righteous

and joy on the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,

and praise his holy name.

Pray this prayer:

God of light and truth,

you are beyond our understanding.

The angels veil their faces

before the brightness of your presence.

We worship you and sing your praise

Because you showed us your truth, your love,

Your glory, your righteousness

in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Praise God with the words of this song: 

Pray this prayer of confession:

Psalm 51:1-4, 10-12

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge. 

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

Read this story and think about how God accepts us not because of who we are, but because of the love of Jesus:

Matthew 19:13-14

Then people brought little children to Jesus

for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. 

But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, 

and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Give thanks to God with this song, and then listen as God teaches you from 1 Peter 2:4-10:

Preparation for Communion:

The elders have planned to serve communion next week as you drive through the church parking lot between 11:00 and noon on Sunday, January 24. Prepare by praying this prayer:

Almighty God,
You gave me the gospel of Jesus Christ, 

and you provided me a communion with him in the Lord's Supper.

I ask you for grace to enable me to prepare my heart to receive holy communion.

As I trust in Jesus Christ and confess my sins,

Grant me assurance that you accept me.

Help me to come the sacrament in the joy of your forgiving love. 

I pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray saying:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from the evil one

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.

Amen.