Prayer Before Worship

Lord God, set me free from the bondage of my sins, and give me the full life of Your kingdom, which You have made known to us through Your Words in Scripture and in Your grace given in the Sacraments. Fill me with Your love that I share Your love in Your name with others. Amen.

In Today’s Worship

Many of us are rejoicing this week in a college football national championship. It feels great when “my team” wins. In Jesus’ day, most people had the same expectation of God—that He is a winner. When Jesus came to His hometown of Nazareth and preached, He revealed that He is God and He is for losers—spiritual losers and sinners like you. He would lose His life on the cross. He also moves us in compassion to show love in practical ways to the “losers” in this world all around us.