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Litany for Gifts from the Heart

SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS

Psalm 100

LEADER: “Sing to the Lord, all the world!

People: Worship the Lord with joy; come before Him with happy songs!

LEADER: Acknowledge that the Lord is God.

People: He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people; we are His flock.

LEADER: Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise.

People: Give thanks to Him, and praise Him.

LEADER: The Lord is good; His love is eternal, and His faithfulness lasts forever.”  (GNB)

LEADER:  Think of what God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ.

People:  Do what God exhorts us to do in the words of this Psalm 100.

LEADER:  Remembering all of the blessings that our good and merciful God has bestowed upon us.

People: We have a real desire to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Our hearts overflow with thanksgiving, praise, and a desire to bless His name—to serve Him with our lives.

LEADER: God’s Word tells us to “Serve the Lord with Gladness”—words chosen as the motto of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

People:  May we do all that “Serve” implies--to labor as a servant; to discharge the obligations of a duty; to exert oneself continuously and verbally for something; to answer to a purpose.

LEADER:  God made us, not we ourselves. When He made each one of us, He gave each talents to use in serving Him. Without exception. He gave each one something.

People: Sometimes we tend to classify talents in a human way, thinking only of extraordinary gifts. Help us, Lord, to remember that You do not classify; You give the gifts that make each of us special and unique. You do not ask all of us to do the same thing, or even to do one thing better than anyone else. You simply ask us to use the abilities that You give us to serve you, our Lord.

LEADER:  You are THE LORD - with all power and authority; our master and ruler.

People:   Your resurrection stands as proof that You keep Your promises.

LEADER: You promises to help us and give us power .

People: Your power will equip us for the tasks You have for us.

LEADER: We rejoice and serve you “WITH GLADNESS”.

People: Lord, we come to  You, not only out of duty or because You command it, but with joy in our hearts.

LEADER: We come to You, Lord, in joy, strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

People: We come to You because the Holy Spirit softens our attitudes.

 LEADER: We come to because You help us grow in that joy of belonging to Christ. As that joy grows, so does the gladness in serving.

People:  “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (KJV) We can answer, “Our thanks, our praise, and our loving service.”

LEADER:  Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord, kindle in us the fire of Your love. We confess the lack of it in response to You and to others, and we ask Your forgiveness. We are so thankful Your love was not lacking, but abundant, and that it extended to us.  Enable us to share this with others around us and far away from us, as You present the opportunities. We do want to serve You gladly, Lord. Help us to recognize and use the talents You have given us to Your glory. We ask You to supply Your strength and power so that, through us, more may come to know You as their Savior. Keep us and guide us in Your way until we are with You in heaven. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ALL:  Hymn “Serve the Lord with Gladness” (Tune TLH #658)

“Serve the Lord with gladness!” It is He alone
Who redeemed us sinners, guides us as His own
To enjoy the blessings of His love and grace
Will at last in glory meet us face to face.
Onward, then, for Jesus!  Let this be our aim:
“Serve the Lord with Gladness!” Glorify His name!

“Serve the Lord with Gladness!” Us He gave command
To proclaim His Gospel now in every land
So that fellow sinners may, like us, be blest;
Leading them to Jesus, we can serve Him best.
Onward, then, for Jesus! Let this be our aim:
“Serve the Lord with Gladness!” Glorify His name!

“Serve the Lord with Gladness!” Is their greater joy
Than to serve the Master, deigning to employ
Us to build His kingdom? Angels, too, rejoice
Over every sinner brought to heed His voice.
Onward, then, for Jesus! Let this be our aim:
“Serve the Lord with Gladness!” Glorify His name!

Adapted from the Spiritual Resource section of With Care and Compassion (product available on CD or in book form from LWML)