ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the National Council of Churches.
1. Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide. Oh, receive my soul at last!
2. Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee. Leave, ah, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me! All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing.
3. Wilt Thou not regard my call, Wilt Thou not accept my prayer? Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall; Lo, on Thee I cast my care; Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive, Hoping against hope, I stand, Dying , and behold, I live!
4. Thou, O Christ, art all I want; More than all in Thee I find. Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is Thy name; I am all unrighteousness, False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
5. Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin. Let the healing streams abound; Make and keep me pure within. Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee; Spring Thou up within my heart, Rise to all eternity.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me: O Thou, my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee.
Be merciful to me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily.
Psalm. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O Lord, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy help, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
Gradual
It is better to trust in the Lord:
than to put confidence in man.
V. It is better to trust in the Lord:
than to put confidence in princes.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Hallelujah!
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #54
"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" by William Williams, 1717-1791 Translated by William Williams, 1717-1791 and Peter Williams, 1722-1796
1. Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.
2. Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverer Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell's Destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side. Songs of praises I will ever give to Thee.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #54 Text: Exodus 13:21 Author: William Williams, 1745 Translated by: William and Peter Williams, 1771-1772 Titled: "Arglwydd arwain trwy'r Anialwch" Composer: George W. Warren, 1884 Tune: "Guide Me" Alternate tune - Cwm Rhondda - below
"Beautiful Savior" under the direction of Eugene B. Nelson, with the Midland Lutheran College Alumni Choir, April 2008 in Fremont, Nebraska.
"Beautiful Savior" by Author Unknown, 1677 Translated by Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904
1. Beautiful Savior, King of Creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I'd love Thee, Truly I'd serve Thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
2. Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in flowers of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer; He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
3. Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.
4. Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine!
Hymn #657 The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Ps. 45: 2 Author: unknown, 1677 Translated by: Joseph A. Seiss, 1873 Titled: "Schoenster Herr Jesu" Tune: "Schoenster Herr Jesu" 1st Published in: "Schlesische Volkslieder" Town: Leipzig, 1842
The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Hallelujah! p.72
Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Psalm. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth, etc.
The Epistle
Gradual
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created:
and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful:
Prayers continue for Dr. Lito Cruz, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, and Sarah Buck.
Norma Boeckler was earlier included in her Christian art exhibition - in India!
KJV Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
KJV John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him,If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Education And Truth
KJV John 14:23 If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The Word of God is clearly written and published world-wide for our benefit. However, the truth is getting very little attention at all levels. The Promises are very important in establishing what matters the most. The Holy Spirit moves us to make the love of Jesus our most important part of life. Loving Jesus is the priority, not the least important or forgotten.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
These brief sayings all point toward the works of God - nothing for those who scorn and reject the Word, everything for the power, energy, and mercy of God. People can fashion themselves very wise - and glory in their rejection of what they cannot see - or what they demand and cannot understand.
A helper pointed out some plants growing fast by the porch and having orange flowers. "What's that? Looks like weeds." I said, "They are weeds. I planted them." Consternation! I added, "Those are butterfly weeds! Butterflies like them, and so do the gardeners." The weed-wacker was put down.
The difficulties of life often put us in strange, hurtful, or awkward situations. What we desire is distant from the way God works, but first we need to defer to the Scriptures and not our instant emotions. They build our Spiritual wisdom.
It's easy to see how people abandon the Word of God. The complexities cannot be imagined, there is so much to study, absorb, and apply. The Holy Spirit's wisdom in the Scriptures often open up to treasures we never imagined until that day we realized the truth.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
We all know our weaknesses, but the Holy Spirit knows and addresses them. Isn't it absurd that someone can have a problem, say nothing out loud, recall from memory, and connect with God's wisdom? That is the foolishness of mankind, thinking, "That is impossible!
One must have faith in Jesus Christ to open the door to His eternal Kingdom and gather peace from it. And faith comes from Him, or we might say, faith in Him gives us access to God's grace and forgiveness. The Word of God teaches us by hearing, reading, and remembering the Gospel.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Oh, sing (cantate) unto the Lord a new song:
for He hath done marvelous things.
The Lord hath made known His salvation:
His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
Psalm. His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant unto Thy people that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise, that among the manifold changes of this world our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. The right hand of the Lord is exalted:
the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Hallelujah!
V. Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more:
death hath no more dominion over Him. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22 The Sermon Hymn #132 O God of God
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #657Beautiful Savior
In Our Prayers -
Treatment and recovery - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Lori Howell, . Dr. Kermit Way, Sarah Buck, Dr. Cruz is doing better.
KJV James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
KJV John 16:5-15 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Jesus Teaching the Holy Spirit
John 15:5-7 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
This puzzles many people in great numbers, because they assume or argue everything except the message given, the Spirit-Word combination.
Everyone has to be excited and entertained. No.
Everyone has to be learned, impressed by the most educated. No.
Everyone has to name the newest building as an honor to him. No.
Everyone has to be popular. No.
The Spirit works through the Word of God, so we are certain that gardens and fields, lawns and weeds will spring up, flower, fruit, and set seed. Jesus taught the disciples that they must mourn and be without Him as it was in their time together. These passages in John's Gospel show us what has to be so that a few hundred or thousand people can cover the earth with the Gospel of forgiveness and everlasting life.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe noton me;
This is the center of Jesus' work and cannot be escaped. Not only are denominations against faith in Jesus Christ, they openly ridicule the basics of the Good Shepherd's divinity - teaching, miracles, dying to atone for the sins of the world, rising from death and ascending to heaven. How is it that the Father of the Church Growth Movement - Donald McGavran - published his approval of Planned Parenthood? His book was the bible for all the Lutherans, including LCMS-ELS-WELS-ELCA.
That is the big picture, as they say, but it also covers the small one, down to the individuals, based on whether they believe the blessings, miracles, and divine help of the Savior. Some pick and choose.
I remember that my mother had me memorize the 23rd Psalm when I was in Sunday School. I was about 5 years old and we were at Plymouth Congregational Church, now gone, along with First Christian Church. I had her join the Lutheran Church later. Her last stay was in our sun-lit living room in Glendale, Arizona, not far from the venue of the ELCA convention in July. One final day I brought my Bible to her and said, "You taught me this, Mom." I read the 23rd Psalm to her and she passed into eternal life.
The foundational work of the Christian Church is to teach faith in Jesus Christ, in all aspects, from Genesis 1 to the end of time. The wife of my friend from Moline boasted about her studies at a joint-seminary - Unitarian and Disciples of Christ. "They work together, unified!" So Christina said, "How can you tell the difference?" The lady said this - about the Virgin Birth of Jesus and His resurrection - "Those items are not very important." I was removed from my friend's Facebook list. He had all the catechism lessons of our Augustana congregation and he attended a Lutheran college.
People feel the burdens of past errors, sins, and various difficulties. This issue is extremely important because the Bible is there for our healing and peace. "Access to His grace" is the key.
Judge me, O God: and plead my cause against an ungodly nation.
Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man: for Thou art the God of my strength.
Psalm. Oh, send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by
Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore both
in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; teach me to do Thy will.
He delivereth me from mine enemies: yes. Thou liftest me up above those that rise against me; Thou hast delivered me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Tract. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth.
May Israel now say: many a time have they afflicted me from my youth.
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #410Jesus Lead Thou On
Prayers and Announcements
In our prayers - Pastor Jim Shrader, Dr. Lito Cruz and his family, Sarah Buck.
Matt Howell had a birthday recently.
KJV Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
KJV John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Not of God
KJV John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
The Fourth Gospel has so much to teach us - and with such clarity. Matthew-Mark-Luke give us a lifetime of study and John gathers it all together in one phrase - Faith in Jesus.
Faith in Jesus is not just a theme but the bedrock of everything He says and does. This Faith in Jesus is both the foundation and the ultimate truth. The miraculous change of water into wine showed that little wedding party in Cana His ability to accomplish anything we can imagine - and far beyond that miracle. He enraged the officials in Jerusalem, John 2 after the wedding, because the Temple was distorted into a multi-national Walmart.
This comes down to believing rather than doing. The truly hip churches now feature their personal garments to wear as their "merch" to buy - and many more travesties, which are always promoted with great excitement and errors. That began with a "new" Bible in 1881 - exciting new wording! And everything unraveled from there, so the basis was the latest and not the best.
The miracles of Jesus were displayed so all the people would believe rather than try topurchase. After carrying the burden of works so long - with little relief - they longed to have healing, peace, and forgiveness - Faith in Jesus.
48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Faith in Jesus enrages unbelievers. Some are filled with anger. Others sneer about faith. Still others find ways to compromise - the elixir of modernism, which lets people pick here and there to approve the message. Two great insults are thrown at Jesus - one is that He belongs to the hated Samaritans (in Luke Jesus is the Samaritan, the Good Samaritan, a mystery to many do-gooders). The other is that He belongs to Satan. One Church Growther denied that he was a Church Growther even though he "earned" a D.Min. in Church Growth. A pastor from the ELS was outraged that I criticized CG! Hatred is the response that comes from unbelievers pretending to have something better, more successful, more winsome.
49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Isn't it strange - or natural - that our technology consists of yes and no, one and zero? One of my early computer courses had all of us using binary (the old fashioned version) and most students fell into despair using 0 and 1 instead of base 10. The basis of the universe is Yes or No, Light or Darkness, Truth or Falsehood.
Jesus made this clear - there is life and death, only.
52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Abraham is the Faith of Faith in the New Testament. The Genesis 15:6 passage is clear. Abraham's faith concerns his impossible age with a first-born son but also the continuous Promise that would lead to King David and then the King of Kings, Jesus.
54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
This is the clearest possible message about Jesus the Son and His Father. That is why so many academics (hipsters, philosophers, modernists etc) scorn the Fourth Gospel, the miracles of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. One does not simply scoff at the Chief Article of the Bible - Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. This builds up so that no one is confused unless that person cannot grasp the words clearly.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was,I AM.
The Son is from everlasting. When God spoke and said "Let there be Light," He was ordering the Son to execute the command. John's Gospel revealed this clearly.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
This shows how Jesus' His divine nature was not limited by His human nature, because an ordinary man would have been killed in short order.
This passage in John is a bundle of divine knowledge, which moves us to rely on that power freely given to us, according to God's wisdom, power, and sense of timing.
Exodus 3:2And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AMhath sent me unto you.
Genesis 15:6And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, we thank Thee, that of Thine infinite mercy Thou hast instituted this Thy sacrament, in which we eat Thy body and drink Thy blood: Grant us, we beseech Thee, by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not receive this gift unworthily, but that we may confess our sins, remember Thine agony and death, believe the forgiveness of sin, and day by day grow in faith and love, until we obtain eternal salvation through Thee, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
