Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

Autumn Lake Reflections

Here is our Order of Worship

A Prayer for the Fall link

Gracious God, As the season changes, we are reminded that you are an unchanging God,
but it is your desire to continue to change us–to mold and shape us,
to teach us to have faith like a child. Lord, be our teacher!
Lord, teach us to praise. We praise you for awe, wonder,
and excitement as new programs and plans are introduced in our denomination and individual churches this fall.
Lord, teach us to confess. At this time of year, we are inundated with busyness.
Forgive us, Lord, when our busyness overshadows you. Lord, teach us to be thankful.
We are thankful that in teaching us, you change us. Teach us, Lord, to trust in you for guidance and direction.
Lord, help us realize the magnitude of your grace and then to teach others what it means to live with that grace.
As we seek to further your kingdom, fill us with the same exuberance, wonder,
and awe that we see in children at the beginning of a new school year.
Amen

The Nicene Creed: An Affirmation of Our Faith link (History)

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
  
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God;
Begotten of his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made;
Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man:
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried:
And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of the Father:
And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead;
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
  
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life,
Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son;
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified;
Who spake by the Prophets:
And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church:
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins:
And I look for the Resurrection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come.
Amen.

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:41-48 (NASB Bible Gateway)

Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Saint Francis of Assisi's Prayer in Praise of God link
@1181-1286 AD

You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are Almighty.
You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth.
You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true.
You are love.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are endurance.
You are rest.
You are peace.
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches, and You suffice for us.
You are beauty.
You are gentleness.
You are our protector.
You are our guardian and defender.
You are our courage.
You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith, our great consolation.
You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour.
Amen.

Benediction of Thomas Graham link

Now may the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you, and give you peace,
in your going out and in your coming in; in your sitting down and your rising up;
in your work and in your play; in your joy and in your sorrow,
in your laughter and in your tears; until that day comes which is without dawn and without dark."
Amen