Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Martin Luther Tr composite, David Schubert (1990)

A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon, our faithful helper in all need, no matter what may happen. The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth he has no equal.

With our own might is nothing done; we'd soon be lost, rejected. But for us fights the very one, whom God himself elected. And who may this be? Christ Jesus is he. He is our great Lord, there is no other God; and he has won the battle.

Though hordes of devils gather here, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we do not fear, they cannot overpower us. This world's prince may still scowl fierce as he will, he does us no harm, he's judged, he's overcome; one little word can fell him.

Despite all foes, the Word shall stand against all their endeavour; God's gifts and Spirit, close at hand, shall be with us forever. Though they cause distress, take all we possess, though they hurt and kill, we are victorious still; the kingdom's ours forever.

P: When our faith becomes shaky and we fall into a deep trough of doubts and anxieties, Lord have mercy. C: Lord have mercy and rescue us all. P: When our hope and joy lapse and we get bogged down in the swamp of despondency, Christ have mercy. C: Christ have mercy and rescue us all.

P: When our hearts grow cold towards the rights and needs of others and apathy settles in like a wintry fog, Lord have mercy. C: Lord have mercy and heal us all... P: When our minds become confused by the Babel of the world’s many religious voices, and we lapse into a spiritual cynicism, Christ have mercy. C: Christ have mercy and heal us all

P: Heavenly Father, open our hearts to be honest and sincere in our confession of sin and guilt, make us ready to walk in your way and live a life of forgiveness in Jesus Christ our Saviour, Friend, and Lord. C: Amen

P: As a servant of the Word, I announce the grace of God to all of you and declare to all who repent and believe that God has forgiven your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

PSALM 68:1-10,32-35

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke — as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. Sing to God, sing praises to his name

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the L ORD. Sing to God, sing praises to his name

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Sing to God, sing praises to his name

When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. Sing to God, sing praises to his name

You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor. Sing to God, sing praises to his name

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. Sing to God, sing praises to his name

Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Sing to God, sing praises to his name

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever- more. Amen.

The Prayer of the Day (Let us pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit.)

Holy Father, your Son prayed for his disciples that they would be one, as you and he are one. Keep your whole church harmoniously together in faith and love, united by the one Spirit. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

1 st Reading Acts 1:6-14 Waiting in prayer for the Spirit Response after the Reading: P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God

2 nd Reading 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Suffering as a Christian P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God

Gospel John 17:1-11 Jesus prays for his disciples in the world Response after the Gospel: P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise be to you O Christ.

The Apostle’s 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, dead, and 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 thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

1. Lord, the light of your love is shining 1. Lord, the light of your love is shining In the midst of the darkness, shining Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us Set us free by the truth you now bring us Shine on me, shine on me Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light. Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light.

2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence 2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence From the shadows into your radiance From the shadows into your radiance By the blood I may enter your brightness By the blood I may enter your brightness Search me, try me, consume all my darkness Search me, try me, consume all my darkness Shine on me, shine on me Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light. Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light.

3. As we gaze on your kingly brightness So our faces display your likeness So our faces display your likeness Ever changing from glory to glory Ever changing from glory to glory Mirrored here may our lives tell your story Mirrored here may our lives tell your story Shine on me, shine on me: Shine on me, shine on me:

Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light. Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light.

Your OFFERING for the work of the Lord will be received during the singing of the next song

BIND US TOGETHER AT 174

Bind us together Lord, Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken, Bind us together Lord, Bind us together, Bind us together with love.

There is only one God; There is only one King; There is only one body; That is why I sing. Bind us together Lord, Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken, Bind us together Lord, Bind us together, Bind us together with love.

You are the family of God; You are the promise divine; You are God’s chosen design; You are the glorious new wine. Bind us together Lord, Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken, Bind us together Lord, Bind us together, Bind us together with love.

Offertory Prayer God of comfort, your Son prayed for his followers in the world, that they might be one. Use us and what you have given us to serve you and one another. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Response: Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

SILENT REFLECTION As our hearts are prepared for Holy Communion

The Distribution If this is what you believe, then you are welcome to partake in Holy Communion, whether you are a member of this congregation or not. Holy Communion is for believers in Jesus who desire to receive God’s forgiveness and believe that Christ is present in this celebration as they eat the bread and drink the wine.

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AS WE STEP FROM THE EDGE OF MORNING AT 101

As we step from the edge of morning, Feet cant tell where to take us Here’s a light that will shine forever, Here’s the light that will guide us.

Chorus: Jesus, please watch over us, Jesus, please take care of us.

Trouble comes and we search for safety, We forget that you hold us; Fill our minds so that we remember, Say once more that you love us:

Chorus: Jesus, please watch over us, Jesus, please take care of us.

Danger meet us at every moment, Death is never in hiding; You are stronger than any danger, You are stronger than dying

Chorus: Jesus, please watch over us, Jesus, please take care of us.

In your life is the Father’s welcome, In your death there is freedom; Be our life and our death for ever, Be our new resurrection:

Chorus: Jesus, please watch over us, Jesus, please take care of us.

ANNOUNCEMENTS