WORSHIP IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC
INSTRUCTIONS: The following resources are meant to be used by families for worship at home, in place of corporate worship at their church building. All or any parts of these services may be used and are beneficial to keeping our Faith strong, grounded in Jesus Christ and not becoming part of the hysteria going on in the world.
SHORT SERVICE OF SUPPLICATION AND PRAYER
Invocation: In the name of God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen Or for those who have a copy of Lutheran Service Book at home LSB 505 or LSB 966!
INTROIT Psalm 30:1, 4-5, 10
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper! I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty God, whose compassion never fails and who invites us to call upon You in prayer, hear the heartfelt confession of our sins and receive our humble supplication for Your mercy, Spare us from the just punishment of sin, which our Lord Jesus Christ has borne for us, and enable us to serve You in holiness and purity of life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS (All or any of the following readings may be read.)
Joel 2:12-19 Psalm 6:4 Psalm 46 1 John 1:5-2:2 Matthew 6:16-21
GRADUAL Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
CLOSE 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
LONG SERVICE OF SUPPLICATION AND PRAYER
Invocation: In the name of God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen Or for those who have Lutheran Service Book at home LSB 505 0r LSB 966!
PASTORS MESSAGE
The Lord once sent a pestilence on Israel, but David, the Lord’s Anointed, bore the guilt of sin and offered the sacrifice that “stayed the hand” of the Lord’s avenging angel (2 Samuel 24). So much more has Christ, our Savior, borne the wrath of God against our sin and offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice that spares us. “With His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5), so we boldly beseech the Lord’s mercy upon us for Christ’s sake. “Death reigns” over all of Adam’s children in this world because of sin, yet “through our Lord Jesus Christ” comes the “gift of righteousness” that brings “eternal life” (Romans 5). Let the church implore God’s mercy in repentance and faith for the sake of Christ, whose hand alone can heal every disease (Luke 4 ), and in whom is salvation, life and resurrection from the dead.
LITANY
L: O Lord, C: have mercy. L: O Christ, C: Hear us. L: God the Father in heaven, C: Have mercy L: God the Son, Redeemer of the world, C: Have mercy L: God the Holy Spirit, C: have mercy L: Be gracious to us. C: Spare us, good Lord. L: Be gracious to us. C: Help us, good Lord. L: From all sin, from all error, from all evil; From the crafts and assaults of the devil; from sudden and evil death; From pandemic and famine; from war and bloodshed; from sedition and from rebellion; From lightning and tempest; from calamity by fire and water; and from everlasting death; C: Good Lord, deliver us. L: In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death; and in the day of judgment; C Help us, good Lord. L: we poor sinners implore You C: to hear us, O Lord. L: To rule and govern Your holy Christian Church; keep us in true understanding of Your wholesome Word and to sustain us in holy living; C: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. L: To put an end to all schisms and causes of offense; to bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived; To beat down Satan under our feet; to send faithful laborers into Your harvest; and to accompany Your Word with Your grace and Spirit; C: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. L: To watch over and help all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation; to protect and guide all who travel; To grant all women with child, and all mothers with infant children, increasing happiness in their blessings; to defend all orphans and widows and provide for them; C: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. L: To strengthen and keep all sick persons and young children; to free those in bondage; and to have mercy on us all; C: We implore You to hear us, good Lord. L: Christ the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. C: grant us Your peace. Amen
INTROIT (Psalm 80:1,4,17,19 2 Samuel 24:15-17 1 Chronicles 21:14-17)
Remember, O Lord, your covenant* and say to your smiting angel, “Stay your hand, that the land may not become desolate,”* lest you destroy every living soul. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,* you who lead Joseph like a flock! O Lord, God of hosts,* how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? Let your hand be on the man of your right hand,* the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts!* let your face shine, that we may be saved! Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen Remember, O Lord, your covenant* and say to your smiting angel, “Stay your hand, that the land may not become desolate,”* lest you destroy every living soul.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
O God, You desire not the death of sinners, but rather that we turn from our wickedness and live. Graciously behold Your people who plead to You and spare us. Withdraw the scourge of Your wrath and be moved in mercy to turn away this pandemic from us; for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
READINGS
Psalm 46 2 Samuel 24:15-25 Romans 5:15-21 Luke 4:38-41a
GRADUAL (Psalm 107:20-21)
He sent out His word and healed them,* and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,* for His wondrous works to the children of man!
ALLELUIA VERSE (Zechariah 8:8)
“I will heal my people and I will be their God* in faithfulness and in righteousness.”
PRAY THE “LORD’S PRAYER” (If you don’t know it, it’s printed above in the short service)
CLOSING (Psalm 60:2, 4)
You, O Lord, have made the land to quake; you have torn it open.* heal its branches, for it totters. That your beloved ones may be delivered,* give salvation by your right hand and answer us! Amen
