Opening Hymn No. 469 How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place

How sweet and awesome is the place with Christ within the doors,

while everlasting love displays, the choicest of her stores.

While all our hearts and all our songs join to admire the feast,

each of us cries, with thankful tongue, "Lord, why was I a guest?

"Why was I made to hear your voice and enter while there's room,

when thousands make a wretched choice, and rather starve than come?"

'Twas the same love that spread the feast that sweetly drew us in;

else we had still refused to taste, and perished in our sin.

Pity the nations, 0 our God, constrain the earth to come;

send your victorious Word abroad, and bring the strangers home.

We long to see your churches full, that all the chosen race

may, with one voice and heart and soul, sing your redeeming grace.

Giving Thanks to Our Triune God

I. For the Preservation of Our Lives

      1. For preserving us and granting us a measure of health to serve you

      2. For recoveries from dangers, sicknesses, and diseases

      3. For various comforts and supports in this life - food, clothing, and shelter

      4. For your exquisite care over the creation and your ordering of the seasons

II. For the Blessings of Family, Church and Community

      1. For placing us in families

      2. For husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren

      3. For a faithful, Bible believing church

      4. For our Pastor, Elders, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters

      5. For the public means of grace - the Word, the sacraments, and prayer

      6. For the preservation of Christianity in the world to this day

      7. For those who have gone before us and have fought the good fight of faith

      8. For the communion of the saints

      9. For friends and companions to accompany us in our pilgrimage to heaven

      10. For our share in the public peace and plenty

      11. For our civil freedoms

III. For the Blessings of Work

      1. For a measure of success in our individual callings in the workplace and home

      2. For talents and skills whereby we may serve you and our fellow man

IV. For the Blessing to Our Souls

      1. For making us capable of knowing You and enjoying You forever

      2. For Your Word - Your self revelation, promises, encouragements, admonishments

      3. For the preservation of Your Word

      4. For Your plan of redemption from all eternity

      5. For appointing a Redeemer for us - none other than Your eternally begotten Son

      6. For Christ's great encouragement that He gives to us to come unto Him

      7. For Christ's full satisfaction for our sins

      8. For Christ's resurrection from the dead

      9. For Christ's ascension to Your right hand and His ongoing intercession

      10. For the invincible working of the Holy Spirit to regenerate and convert us

      11. For the Holy Spirit who comforts, support and sanctifies us

      12. For sweet communion with You

      13. For gracious answers to our prayers

      14. For support under our afflictions and enabling us to benefit from them

      15. For Your faithfulness to chasten those whom You love

      16. For feet to walk in your paths and hands to help one another along

      17. For eyes to fix upon Christ and ears to hear Your Word

      18. For tongues to declare your praises

Closing Hymn No. 545 When this Passing World Is Done

When this passing world is done, when has sunk on glaring sun,

when we stand with Christ in glory, looking o'er life's finished story,

then, Lord, shall I fully know, not till then, how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call on the rocks and hills to fall,

when I see them start and shrink on the fiery deluge brink,

then, Lord, shall I fully know, not till then, how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne, dressed in beauty not my own,

when I see thee as thou art, love thee with unsinning heart,

then. Lord, shall I fully know, not till then, how much I owe.

When the praise ofheav'n I hear, loud as thunders to the ear,

loud as many waters' noise, sweet as harp's melodious voice,

then, Lord, shall I fully know, not till then, how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me, wakened up from wrath to flee,

hidden in the Savior's side, by the Spirit sanctified,

teach me, Lord, on earth to show, by my love, how much I owe.