Opening Prayer: Almighty God, help me see the world and myself as You do, that I may imitate You in Your love. Amen.

Read: Psalm 113

Reflect: What reasons does the Psalm give for praising God? What are the people like who God exalts? If we don’t find ourselves in these states how can we be blessed by God?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn:  “And Can It Be?”
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray.
I awoke; the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off; my heart was free.
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.

Closing Prayer: You have been reminded that Jesus Christ is your Lord and that you are God’s servant. You are loved; you are forgiven; you are empowered and now you are sent to live as God’s faithful one. Amen.