THE INVOCATION AND OPENING VERSES
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: The Spirit of God has made me;
C: the breath of the Almighty gives me life(Job 33:4).
P: As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,
C: who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number (Job 5:8-9).
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
P: As imperfect and broken people, we stand before a perfect and loving God. We have sinned in our thoughts, with our words and by our actions. Scripture speaks clearly to us: “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).” We humbly turn to the Lord and confess:
C: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.
P: “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding" (Job 36:5). Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of the Word I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen!
THE LITANY........................... Selected Verses from Job
P: Naked I came from my mother’s womb;
C: Naked shall I return.
P: The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
C: Blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21)
P: Shall we receive good from God,
C: And shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10)
P: Is my complaint against man? (Job 21:4)
C: Oh, that I knew where I might find God!
P: Would he contend with me in the greatness of His power?
C: No, he would pay attention to me.(Job 23:3,6)
P: You clothed me with skin and flesh,
C: and knit me together with bones and sinews.
P: You have granted me life and steadfast love,
C: And Your care has preserved my spirit.
P: Yet these things You hid in Your heart;
C: I know that this was Your purpose. (Job 10:11-13)
P: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
C: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
THE HYMN OF PRAISE: Amazing Grace
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease,
Amazing grace shall then prevail
In heaven’s joy and peace.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Father in Heaven, we praise You for your goodness and grace. You created us, and by the gift of Your Son, You redeemed us from sin, death and hell, opening to us the door of eternal life. By Your Holy Spirit, keep us strong in faith as we journey through the challenges of this world. We pray in the name of Him who saved us.
C: Amen.