at Prayer A Guide for Daily Meditation and Prayer in the homes of Immanuel’s Church and School Families  ST. JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST  December 27, 2020 – January 2, 2021

The Order of Meditation and Prayer Pray and confess out loud as much from the order of meditation and prayer as you are able, or as your family size and ages dictate. Learn by heart the verse, catechism, and hymn of the week.

Invocation In the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was 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. Read Psalm 11

Readings for the Week Sunday: 51:17—52:12 Matthew 2:1-12 Monday: :13—54:10 Matthew 2:13-23 Tuesday: :1-13 Luke 1:1-25 Wednesday: :1—59:3, 14-21 Luke 1:26-38 Thursday: :1-22 Luke 1:39-56 Friday: :1-11 Luke 1:57-80 Saturday: :1-12 Luke 2:1-20

Bible Verse for Memorizing: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galations 4:4-5)

Catechism Memory Work: The Apostles’ Creed The Creed, Second Article: 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, died, and was 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.

What does this mean? I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Prayers Collect for the Week, Daily Themes for Prayer, In Our Prayers This Week, Lord’s Prayer, and Morning/Evening Prayer

Collect for the Week Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed in the doctrine of Your blessed apostle and evangelist John, may come to the light of everlasting life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Daily Themes for Prayer Sunday: God’s gifts to us through Word and Sacrament Monday: Our Baptism, calling, and daily work Tuesday: Facing temptation and struggle, witnessing Wednesday: Our homes, families, schools, country, and neighbors Thursday: The Lord’s Supper, the Church throughout the world Friday: The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world; forgiveness and salvation Saturday: Preparation for the Day of the Lord, for death and resurrection

In Our Prayers This Week Our Pastors Our school and teachers Assist Pregnancy Center Sick and infirm Homebound/Nursing Homes Our Synodical leaders The Church’s mission and mercy workers Our nation’s leaders All women with child The armed forces

Lord’s Prayer

Morning Prayer I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Evening Prayer I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. Hymn of the Week: 389, Let All Together Praise Our God

5 He is a servant, I a lord: How great a mystery! How strong the tender Christ Child’s love! No truer friend than He, No truer friend than He.

6 He is the key and He the door To blessèd paradise; The angel bars the way no more. To God our praises rise, To God our praises rise.

D 7 Your grace in lowliness revealed, Lord Jesus, we adore And praise to God the Father yield And Spirit evermore; We praise You evermore.

Text (st. 2) and tune: Public domain Text (sts. 1, 3–7): © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005316