Welcome to a Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

Here Is Our Order of Worship

Prayer on the Beatitudes Link

Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Keep us from being preoccupied with money and worldly goods, and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." 
Help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Let us not be impatient under our own burdens and unconcerned about the burdens of others.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled." 
Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness, and actively spread your influence in our private lives and in society.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God."
Free us from our senses and our evil desires, and fix our eyes on you.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." 
Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country, and in the world.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for the kingdom of heaven in theirs."
Make us willing to suffer for the sake of right rather than to practice injustice; 
and do not let us discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them.
In Jesus name
Amen

This is a prayer from the church father Irenaeus (died 202 BC) Link

"Give growing maturity to beginners, 
O Father; give intelligence to the little ones; 
Give aid to those who are running their course. 
Give sorrow to the negligent; give fervor of spirit to the lukewarm.
Give to the mature a good end; for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord. 
Amen.” 

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 14:12-15 (NASB Bible Gateway)

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The Parable of the Great Banquet

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

A Prayer of Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) Link

O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of Your Holy Spirit, 
With love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. 
Teach us to love those who hate us, to pray for those who despitefully use us,
That we may be the children of our Father, 
Who makes Your sun shine on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 
In adversity, grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; 
May we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, 
And thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.”

Benediction: Jude 24-25 Link

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling
And to present you before his glorious presence without fault 
And with great joy to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, 
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! 
Amen.