Month: October 2016

NL Worship Resources: November 6, 2016

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All Saints Sunday/Lectionary 32

Color: White/Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Epiphany 3B
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 18:3 | Sermon Text: Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1- 10 [4:1-11] (Jonah and God’s Mercy)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 62:5-12
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of the seas, sky, and land,
When Jonah turned to run from you, you showed him that nothing and no one could hide from your presence. You are in all things, and you love all things. Show us the gift of your presence, and help us to carry your word of compassion and grace to all the world, in the name of the one who carried out your love flawlessly, Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here. I updated these words of Confession and Absolution and the Call to Worship to reflect the readings in November here, I will be writing entirely new versions for Advent-Christmas.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #779 Amazing Grace
ELW #605 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
ELW #740 God of the Sparrow
ELW #864/865 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
ELW #871 Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good
ELW #587 There’s a Wideness to God’s Mercy
ELW #445 Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
ELW #798 Will You Come and Follow Me
MSB1 #S490 I Called to the Lord
MSB1 #S489 Jonah Prayed
Various Hymnals Dear Shepherd of Thy People, Hear
Various Hymnals We Have an Anchor
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; MSB1=Music Sourcebook 1)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #717 Let Justice Flow like Streams
ELW #710 Let Streams of Living Justice Flow
ELW #800 Spirit of God, Descend Upon my Heart
DATH #89 It Won’t Be Long
WOV #783 Seek Ye First
Various Hymnals Pray, Without Ceasing
Various Hymnals When Our Confidence is Shaken
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“The One Who Saves” By Ben Fielding.
“You Are My All In All” By Dennis Jernigan.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Grant courage to your church, O Lord, that we may boldly proclaim your justice, mercy, and peace to a world sorely in need of repentance and reconciliation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Strengthen and heal the oceans, O Lord, that their beauty and bounty may be protected and their diversity of life be fortified. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide our leaders with your guidance, O Lord, that they might repent of selfishness and lead their nations into peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Remind us of your great love for us, O Lord, that even those who run from you may come to know your compassion and wholeness. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring relief to all who suffer, O Lord, (especially,…) that all might know your healing power. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Send us prophets, O Lord, that through their witness and the witness of the saints we may continue in right paths through the work of your Holy Spirit.. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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

(Updated) Confession and Absolution & Call to Worship for November

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Confession and Absolution

In the name of the Father,
and of the ☩ Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Faithful God of hope and compassion,
you work healing and wholeness into the world
and show your care to all people.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
open our eyes and hearts to see
how we are unfaithful and lacking in mercy,
that we may confess our sin
and know that life is found only in you.
Amen.

Knowing the difference between good and evil,
let us confess our sins to God our Creator.

Silence for reflection and confession.

Faithful God,
we confess that we have not been faithful to you:
we regularly worship other gods,
we build idols out of symbols, ideologies, and ourselves,
we persist in our evil ways
and our words, thoughts, and deeds are unclean.
We confess that we do not obey your rule
and for this we rightly deserve to die.
And so we look to you for mercy and forgiveness,
knowing that we do not deserve it.
We ask that you remember your covenant
and forget our iniquity,
for the sake of your anointed,
Jesus Christ, who died that we might live.
Amen.

Just as God heard the lamentation of the widow
and the repentance of the Ninevites,
so too, God hears our confession.
And just as God acted in their lives,
so does God act in our lives;
bringing grace and mercy
through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Know that through the work of the Holy Spirit
God has redeemed you and forgives you all your sins.
Amen.

Call to Worship

God made the heavens and the earth,
and formed us from dust, breathing into us the breath of life.
O come, let us worship our Creator!

God rescued Israel from the house of slavery,
and showed redemption through the blood of the Lamb.
O come, let us worship the God of salvation!

God worked through the lives and words of the prophets,
and continues to work in our lives today.
O come, let us worship the God of providence!

God calls, gathers, and equips people of all stations and nations
and continues to work in and through us today.
O come, let us worship the God who calls us out into the world.

O come, let us worship!

NL Worship Resources: October 30, 2016

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Reformation Sunday/Lectionary 31

Color: Red/Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Proper 5C (10C)
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 4:24-26 | Sermon Text: 1 Kings 17:1-24 (God’s Care for
the Widow)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 146
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of compassion,
By the power of God, Elijah provided bread and oil for the widow and her household. By faith in God, the widow provided food and water for Elijah. Give us hearts to love one another, so that in providing and in receiving, we too, might experience the unimaginable power of God, through the one who has provided life itself, your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #422 For All the Saints
ELW #737 He Comes to Us as One Unknown
ELW #796 How Firm a Foundation
ELW #587 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
LBW #538 Oh, Praise the Lord, My Soul
TNtG #8 Song of Two Widows
Various Hymnals Revive Thy Work, O Lord
Various Hymnals When the Hungry Who Have Nothing Share with Strangers
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; TNtG=Time Now to Gather)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #641 All Are Welcome
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #712 Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
Various Hymnals In Great Thanksgiving
Various Hymnals O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Days of Elijah” By Robin Mark.
“Glorious Unfolding” By Steven Curtis Chapman.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Lord God, raise up leaders and prophets in your church; that your word of healing, life, and resurrection may be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of providence, sustain us through the bounty of the earth; that all who are hungry might be fed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of Israel, God of Sidon, God of all nations, bring peace and understanding to the world; that all recognize your presence even in surprising places. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Life-giving God, bring comfort to the grieving; that we may trust ever more in your power of resurrection. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord our God, be with all who suffer  (especially,…); that they may be restored to wholeness and life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of the ages, speak to us through the lives of all who have gone before us; that we may see your activity in the world throughout the eons. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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

NL Worship Resources: October 23, 2016

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Lectionary 30

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Advent 4B or Proper 11B (16B)
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 1:30-33 | Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-17 (God’s Promise to David)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 89:20-37
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of hope,
You promised to make David’s household great among the nations. Then you sent your son, Jesus, to transform this world so that all people are one in the great household of God. Show us how to live as your children, as sisters and brothers in your holy and blessed realm, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who will one day welcome us all home. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #265 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
ELW #552 Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #569 The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Has Ended
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #878 Soli Deo Gloria
ELW #814 Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am
ELW #258 Unexpected and Mysterious
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #838 Beautiful Savior
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #434 Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #430 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
ELW #263 Savior of the Nations, Come
LBW #64 From East to West
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Ancient of Days” By Gary Sadler, Jamie Harvill.
“Come Let Us Worship” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves.
“Here is Our King” By David Crowder.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Faithful God, raise up leaders in your church that your good news may be shared throughout the earth and throughout the ages. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

King of creation, bless animals and plants as they prepare for the coming winter; even as the blanket of winter comes, send your sustaining power as much of creation rests. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God most high, send your steadfast love to all the nations, and work in the hearts of our leaders that they might seek out your justice and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shepherding God, bring hope and wholeness to all the lost and despairing, and restore them to community and relationship. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of all, be with the sick  (especially,…); work healing and comfort into the lives of all who suffer. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Eternal God, remind us of your faithfulness and keep us in the hope of eternal life when we shall join with all the saints in praising 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 Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

NL Worship Resources: October 16, 2016

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Lectionary 29

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Proper 28B (33B) or Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 1:46-55 | Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10 (God Answers Hannah)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 113
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God who answers prayer,
We are blessed and humbled that you hear us when we call to you in our time of deepest longing. Receive our gratitude for your listening ear. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #723 Canticle of the Turning
ELW #419 For All the Faithful Women
ELW #473 Holy, Holy, Holy (Santo, santo, santo)
ELW #413 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
ELW #844 Praise to the Lord (Louez l’Eterne)
LBW #146 Rejoice, Angelic Choirs, Rejoice
WOV #720 In the Presence of Your People
WOV #724 Shalom, My friends
W&P #161 You Are the Rock of My Salvation
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice; W&P=Worship & Praise Songbook)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #236 Magnificat
ELW #882 My Soul Does Magnify the Lord
ELW #573 My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord
ELW #234/235 My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord
ELW #251 My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness
LBW #17 How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need of God
WOV #634 Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
W&P #2 A Story for All People
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice; W&P=Worship & Praise Songbook)

Other options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“Kings & Queens” By Chuck Butler, Joel Parisien, et al. As performed by Audio Adrenaline.
“You Have Shown Us” By Andy Park, Chris Tomlin, et al. As performed by CompassionArt.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Holy One, bless the work of your church and guard the feet of our leaders (especially our Bishop(s)…); that we might proclaim that there is no one besides you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of life, bless forests, deserts, and tundra with life and healing; that all might know your creative and sustaining power. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of knowledge, bless the leaders of the world with wisdom and insight; that peace and justice may prevail over selfishness and greed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Most High, bless those who sit amongst the ashes; that they might be lifted up by your power to make all things whole . Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God our Rock, bless all who suffer (especially,…); that they might find strength, endurance, and healing in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Exalted One, bless the rest of all the saints; and bring us all, at the end, out of the Pit and into the great feast of your glory. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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