Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (ELW 859)
1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the God of creation!
My heart is longing to offer up sweet adoration.
Melody make; dulcimer, harp, now awake.
Sound forth your praise, every nation.
2 Praise the Almighty, o’er all life so wondrously reigning,
and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen? All that is needful has been
sent by God’s gracious ordaining.
3 Praise the Almighty , who prospers your work and defends you;
see from the heavens the showers of mercy God sends you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do;
infinite Love here befriends you.
4 Praise the Almighty! In wonder my spirit is soaring!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises outpouring.
Let the amen sound from God’s people again,
gladly forever adoring!
Text: Joachim Neander (c) 2000 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Devotion
As we prepare our hearts and minds to move into the Season of Advent and a new church year, we are conscious of the broken world around us—creation groans in pain with war, disease, dis-ease, starvation, hunger for justice and peace in our world, in our communities, in our homes, and in our hearts. Still, Christians around the world continue to gather in worship to join our voices with the choirs of angels and the hosts of heaven singing: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the God of creation!” We offer God our thanks and praise for all that is good and right and just. We praise God with our whole heart, mind, and strength. And we trust in the God who was, who is, and who always will be—Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier—God alone, who is always worthy of our thanks and praise.
Prayer
We give you thanks and praise, O God, and we trust that in your mercy you will hold us and keep us, now and forevermore. Amen.