A PRAYER FOR THE NATION

"Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity & constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, & an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, & confusion, from pride & arrogance, & from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, & give to those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice & peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, & in troubled times do not let our trust in you fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lutheran Service Book

KNOWING GOD

"If you want to know what God is like, look at His Son. If you want to hear God, listen to His Son! A man will make no mistake following Christ! Let a man begin with Jesus wherever he must to be honest with himself; let him investigate Jesus all the way. Let him go along with Jesus as far as truth dictates--as far as honest inquiry leads." Richard Halverson, Men's Devotional Bible

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR

"Jesus gave His flesh for the life of the world (John 6:51). For the the lives of unborn persons or incapacitated ones? For the life of the world. For neighbors with congenital deformities or chronic disabilities? For the life of the world. For those who can't clothe themselves yet or who can't bathe themselves anymore? For the life of the world. For those who have promoted assisted suicide or participated in abortion! For the life of the world!" Grace Lutheran Church bulletin, 8/8

IMMORTAL LIFE

"Most importantly, Jesus, God's true Son, is our representative in His resurrection from the dead. Because He is raised to victory & immortal life, we will also be raised. And even now, Jesus--the living & powerful Lord Jesus--is present with His church, His people. To borrow from the Gospel of John, because He lives, we live also." Jeffrey Gibbs, The Lutheran Witness, April 2021

TODAY'S HYMN OF PRAISE & ADORATION

Praise the Almighty, LW #445, Sts. 1, 2, 5

Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him! Yes, I will laud Him until death; With songs & anthems I come before Him As long as He allows me breath. From Him my life & all things came; Bless, O my soul, His holy name. Alleluia, alleluia!

Trust not in rulers; they are but mortal; Earth-born they are & soon decay. Vain are their counsels at life's last portal, When the dark grave engulfs its prey. Since mortals can no help afford, Place all your trust in Christ, our Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise, all you people, the name so holy Of Him who does such wondrous things! All that has being, to praise Him solely, With happy heart its amen sings. Children of God, with angel host Praise Father, Son, & Holy Ghost! Alleluia, alleluia!