3. For where God built a church,
there the Devil would also build
a chapel.
Martin Luther

4. 1 Christ is the world’s Redeemer,
The lover of the pure,
The fount of heav'nly wisdom,
Our trust and hope secure,
The armor of His soldiers,
The Lord of earth and sky;
Our health while we are living,
Our life when we shall die.
2 Christ has our host surrounded
With clouds of martyrs bright,
Who wave their palms in triumph
And fire us for the fight.
This Christ the cross ascended
To save a world undone,
And, suff'ring for the sinful,
Our full redemption won.
3 Down in the realms of darkness
He strode in victory,
And at the hour appointed
He rose triumphantly.
And now, to heav'n ascended,
He sits upon the throne
Whence He had ne'er departed,
His Father's and His own.
4 Glory to God the Father,
The unbegotten One;
All honor be to Jesus,
His sole begotten Son,
And to the Holy Spirit--
The perfect Trinity.
Let all the worlds give answer:
Amen! So let it be.

5. 6 The Son obeyed His Father's will,
Was born of virgin mother;
And God's good pleasure to fulfill,
He came to be my brother.
His royal pow'r disguised He bore;
A servant's form, like mine, He wore
To lead the devil captive.
7 To me He said: "Stay close to Me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I Myself will be;
For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, and you are Mine,
And where I am you may remain;
The foe shall not divide us.
8 "Though he will shed My precious
blood,
Me of My life bereaving,
All this I suffer for your good;
Be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict'ry win;
My innocence shall bear your sin,
And you are blest forever.
9 "Now to My Father I depart,
From earth to heav'n ascending,
And, heav'nly wisdom to impart,
The Holy Spirit sending;
In trouble He will comfort you
And teach you always to be true
And into truth shall guide you.
10 "What I on earth have done and
taught,
Guide all your life and teaching;
So shall the kingdom's work be
wrought
And honored in your preaching.
But watch lest foes with base alloy
The heav'nly treausre should destroy;
This final word I leave you."

6. Let us pray for the whole Church of
God in Christ Jesus and for all
people according to their needs.
Brief silence
Risen Lord Jesus, as You guided the
apostles to choose Matthias, we
praise You for blessing us with
pastors who faithfully proclaim
Your Word and rightly administer
the Sacraments. Uphold
congregations without pastors and
congregations who are calling
pastors. Provide them with faithful
and loving undershepherds, that
they may continue to gladly receive
the gifts that You give through
Word and Sacrament. Strengthen
pastors who struggle without a
congregation, reaffirm them in their
vocation, assure them of Your
presence and provide for their needs
according to Your will. Lord, in
Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Ascended Lord Jesus, You rule and
reign at God’s right hand. Your rule
extends into this world through the
authority that You have granted to
its leaders. Let their rule reflect
Yours, that we may live peaceable
lives, free to worship You without
fear, and be moved to love and serve
our neighbors…
Triumphant Lord Jesus, You send
the Holy Spirit and bring Your
Church alive. Grant us passion for
the lost. Empower us to speak the
Word that convicts the world of sin,
righteousness and judgment. As we
boldly speak Your name, send Your
Spirit to call unbelievers by the
Gospel, enlighten and sanctify them
in the true faith, that in knowing
Your Father as the only true God,
they would receive eternal life
through You…

7. Exalted Lord Jesus, bless the
work of our missionaries. Bring
forth Your harvest from the seeds
that they sow. Support them and
all who endure fiery trials for
Your name. As they shine the
light of the Gospel into the
hostile darkness where the devil
prowls unsatisfied, guard them as
those who bear Your cross. Let
them rejoice that in tribulation,
distress, persecution, famine,
nakedness, peril or sword, they
share in Your very suffering…
Glorified Lord Jesus, You have
saved us by Your grace. We pray
for those who are sick, those who
are distressed, those whose hearts
are heavy, those whose lives are
burdened, those who mourn and
all who have requested our
prayers [especially
________________ ]. Grant them
healing in accordance with Your
will, strength and mercy
according to their needs, and
Your peace that passes
understanding…
OTHER PETITIONS
Omnipotent Lord Jesus, as You
come to us in Your true body and
blood, restore, confirm,
strengthen and establish us in the
faith. Forgive our sins, and guard
our souls as we await the day
when we will join in Your eternal
wedding feast on that mountain
where You swallow up death
forever…
Into Your hands, O Lord, we
commend ourselves and all for
whom we pray, trusting in Your
mercy for the sake of Your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

8. Our Lord Jesus Is with Us in the
Upper Room of His Church on Earth