DEVOTION FOR THE LORD’S DAY
when unable to attend the Divine Service
Before beginning the Devotion, the head of the house should take note of the Day in the Church Year so that the appropriate Lessons may be used.
A Hymn may be sung.
The sign of the holy cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism, saying:
May God grant it—Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
1st You shall have no other gods.
2nd You shall not misuse the name of your God.
3rd You shall sanctify the day of rest.
4th You shall honor your father and your mother.
5th You shall not murder.
6th You shall not commit adultery.
7th You shall not steal.
8th You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
9th You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
10th You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, manservant, maidservant, animals, or anything that is his.
He says: “I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, who visits the sin of the fathers upon their children who hate Me, to the third and fourth generation; but to those who love Me and keep My commandments, I do good for a thousand generations.”
THE EPISTLE
THE HOLY GOSPEL
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
a holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
MEDITATION
A portion of Luther’s Small or Large Catechism, or a sermon by Martin Luther may be read, or the pastor’s sermon for the day may be heard or read.
PRAYERS
Specific prayers may be said, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
If it is morning, then Luther’s Morning Prayer may be said:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that you would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
If it is evening, then Luther’s Evening Prayer may be said:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
A Hymn may be sung.
