documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Af953f59d-dffb-4a32-9d0a-4422f1774548
Dear Congregation,
Below are the shorter catechism questions we'll use, in reviewing the law of God, along with the prayers of confession and thanksgiving that we'll use in our service on Sunday morning.
In the morning service we'll read Deuteronomy 4:25-40 and John 4:1-30. Sunday evening we will look at Lord's Day 16 in the Heidelberg Catechism, looking at Psalm 16 and John 11.
I encourage you to look over the scriptures and prayers before Sunday, so you can be ready for worship. For children, it can be helpful to go over the prayers in advance and explain simply some words that might be unfamiliar to them.
The Law of God
Which is the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment is, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
What is required in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor's good name, especially in witness-bearing.
What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment forbids whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor's good name.
Prayer of Confession
Our Father in heaven we confess
that we have sinned against you at many times
and in many ways,
and nothing is hidden from your sight.
You delight in truth in the inward being;
yet we have lied both to you and to others.
We have prejudiced the truth in many ways,
by slander, by gossip, by flattery, and false witness.
We have distorted and disguised the truth
and have been more concerned to protect
our own reputation than the reputation of others.
If you O Lord should mark our iniquities who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness that you may be feared.
Forgive us for the sake of Jesus our Savior
and make us to delight in those things that are
true, honest, lovely, and of good report.
Protect us from the snares of the evil one,
and grant to us your Holy Spirit,
that we may walk before you in humility and holiness,
for we ask this in the name of him who taught us to pray,
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all glory and grace you graciously feed us,
who have received these gifts,
with the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.
May we who have received this sacrament,
be strengthened in your service;
we who have sung your praises
tell of your glory and truth;
we who have heard the greatness of your love
see you face to face in your kingdom;
for you have made us your own people
by the death and resurrection of your Son, our Lord
and by the life-giving power of your Spirit. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor
sDg