Lectionary 17

Color: Green
Readings: Gospel Text: John 16:15-20 | Sermon Text: Job 31:35-37; 38:1-11 (The Lord Answers)
Prayer of the Day: God who is greater than all chaos; when despair clouds our vision of your glory, open our eyes to see the wonder of your creation. Bring us out of the darkness of suffering and into your light that our weeping may be turned into praising you. In the name of the one whose light shatters the darkness, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #634 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
ELW #846 Amen, We Praise Your Name
ELW #638 Blessed Assurance
ELW #303 Brightest and Best of the Stars
ELW #684 Creating God, Your Fingers Trace
ELW #245 Creator of the Stars of Night
ELW #731 Earth and All Stars!
ELW #756 Eternal Father, Strong to Save
ELW #880 O God beyond All Praising
ELW #873 God, Whose Almighty Word
ELW #450 I Bind unto Myself Today
ELW #836 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
ELW #881 Let All Things Now Living
ELW #837 Many and Great, O God
ELW #556 Morning Has Broken
ELW #842 Oh, Worship the King
ELW #824 This Is My Father’s World
ELW #785 When Peace like a River
LBW #567 God of Our Fathers
LBW #550 From All That Dwell below the Skies
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #392 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
ELW #515 Break Now the Bread of Life
ELW #389 Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing
ELW #804 Come Down, O Love Divine
ELW #404 Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove
ELW #401 Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading
ELW #786 O Holy Spirit, Enter In
ELW #582 Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW #398 Holy Spirit, Truth Divine
ELW #620 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
ELW #482  I Come with Joy
ELW #867 In Thee Is Gladness
ELW #352 I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
ELW #403 Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
ELW #379 Now the Green Blade Rises
ELW #334 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery
ELW #510 Word of God, Come Down on Earth
LBW #488 Breathe on Me, Breath of God
LBW #472/473 Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire
LBW #238 God Has Spoken by His Prophets
LBW #162 Lord God, the Holy Ghost
WOV #681 Come, O Holy Spirit, Come
WOV#682 Praise the Spirit in Creation
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“Ancient Skies” By Michael Gungor, Michael Rossback.
“Be Praised” By Michael Gungor
“Center Of It All” By Tim Hughes.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence.

God who laid the foundation of the earth; make the foundation of your church firm and guide all who follow you in ways of mercy and love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God who shut in the sea; protect the wild places of the world and inspire us with the beauty found even in chaos. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God who causes the morning stars to sing; bring your light to the nations of the world and illuminate all who lead with your great wisdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God who makes the heavens shout for joy; reach into the dark and broken places of our lives and grant us patience, endurance, and hope in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God who knows the measurements of the cosmos; enter into our pain and bring your resurrection life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God who laid the cornerstones of time; bring us safely to our eternal home and bless the resting places of all who have died in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.