+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins:   (pause).   Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 (ESV)

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Job 19:23-27a (NLT)

“Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock.

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 (NLT)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 20:27-38 (NLT)

Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”

Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

Intercessions:

O God, my Rock and my Redeemer, hear my prayers – along with those of all Your people – for the Church, those in need, and all of Your creation:

• For Your Church, in all its forms and expressions, that it may be a living witness to Your love for all people and Your redeeming grace to a world in need of good news…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For the glorious splendor of Your creation and for its continual care, that future generations may praise Your works….  (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For protection, provision, and strength to those who suffer the ravages of war – especially Your people in the Middle East…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For provision for all who are suffering from natural disasters and their aftermath – especially for those from the typhoon in the Phillipines…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For Your steadfast love and faithfulness to those in prison, the innocent wrongly accused, and the victims of violence and abuse – especially children born and unborn…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For comfort, strength, and hope to those who suffer with illness, grieve loved ones, or lie close to death….  (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For the Spirit of Christ who unites all believers – one to one another – in relationships of mutual care and support…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
• For all the children of God and of the resurrection and that day when we too shall see You face to face…. (pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

Into Your hands, gracious God, I commend all for whom I pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

Hymn: “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen