Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

Sunset Cast in Gold

Here is our Order of Worship

A Prayer for Joy and Hope by Johann Arndt (1555-1621) link

Lord, give us hearts never to forget Thy love;
but to dwell therein whatever we do, whether we sleep or wake,
live or die, or rise again to the life that is to come.

For Thy love is eternal life and everlasting rest; f
or this is life eternal to know Thee and Thy infinite goodness.
O let its flame never be quenched in our hearts; let it grow and brighten,
till our whole souls are glowing and shining with its light and warmth.

Be Thou our Joy and Hope, our Strength and Life, 
our Shield and Shepherd, our Portion for ever.
For happy are we if we continue in the love wherewith Thou has loved us;
holy are we when we love Thee steadfastly.

Therefore O Thou, Whose name and essence is Love,
enkindle our hearts, enlighten our understandings,
sanctify our wills, and fill all the thoughts of our hearts,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Amen.

A Prayer for Trust by St. Ignatius of Loyola link

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen

Scripture Reading:  Luke 11:14-20 (NASB Bible Gateway)

And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed.  But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.  But He knew their thoughts and said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.  If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.  And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? So they will be your judges.  But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

LUTHERAN PRAYER FOR DISCERNMENT link

God of grace and glory,
You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts.
As we seek to know and do your will,
open our ears to Listen, our eyes to See,
our hearts to Love, our minds to Learn,
our lips to Speak, our hands to Serve.
You have walked with us in the wilderness, sheltered us in the storms,
and fed us in our hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Guide us on this journey of discernment, that your will would be made clear
to us, that your grace would abound, that your glory would be revealed;
in your holy name we pray.
AMEN

A Methodist Blessing 

Romans 5:13 link 

May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen