Lectionary 9

Color: Green
Readings: Gospel Text: Matthew 18:21-22 | Sermon Text: 2 Cor 2:1-10 (Forgiveness)
Prayer of the Day: God of all forgiveness and love, work in our hearts that which is well-pleasing in your sight; namely, mercy and forgiveness. Turn our sorrow into joy at your abundant and life-giving presence. In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #331  As the Deer Runs to the River (JULION)
ELW #362 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
ELW #648 Beloved, God’s Chosen
ELW #247 Come Now, O Prince of Peace
ELW #770 Give Me Jesus
ELW #582 Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW #660 Lift High the Cross
ELW #631 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #341 Now Behold the Lamb
ELW #711 O Day of Peace
ELW #407 O Living Breath of God
ELW #689 Praise and Thanksgiving
ELW #327 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
ELW #590 Salvation unto Us Has Come
ELW #635 We Walk by Faith (SHANTI)
LBW #164 Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid
LBW #68 He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising
LBW #287  O Perfect Love
ASG #17  Here and Now God
TFF #259 All the Way My Savior Leads Me
W&P #65 How Can I Be Free from Sin?
W&P #68  I Was Glad
WOV #675 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight (DUNLAP’S CREEK)
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; ASG=As Sunshine to a Garden; TFF=This Far by Faith; W&P=Worship & Praise Songbook; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #455 Crashing Waters at Creation
ELW #304 Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized
ELW #605 Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #696 Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #783 Praise and Thanks and Adoration
ELW #359 Where Charity and Love Prevail
LBW #373 Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round
LBW #17  How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need of God
LBW #427  O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns Be Rising
WOV #777 In the Morning When I Rise
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Forgiven” By John L. Cooper.
“No Chains On Me” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, et al.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

Moved by the Holy Spirit and trusting that God’s Word works wherever it is proclaimed; we pray for the needs of the world, the church, and our neighbors.

A brief silence.

We pray for the church universal; that the awesome news of God’s great mercy and forgiveness be proclaimed throughout the cosmos. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for all of creation, for rivers and streams, for farms and fields; that the abundance of God might be joyfully shared and justly distributed. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We pray for the nations of the world, especially for those experiencing conflict; that mercy and justice may rule and God’s love guide us all. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great.

We pray for the distressed, for the anguished, and for the marginalized; that the needs of all might be met and arms of comfort and welcome be extended to those on the outskirts. Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great.

We pray for all who know pain, grief, or suffering (especially,…); that God might work through us to offer healing and wholeness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

We pray for all the saints who have gone before (especially Jiri Tranovsky whom we commemorate today, and…); that their witness might strengthen our own. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Trusting in the power of your Spirit, we commend all for whom we pray into your abundant and merciful care. Amen.