Month: November 2016

NL Worship Resources: December 11, 2016

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor

Advent 3 (NL Year 3)

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday: Advent 3B
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 4:16-21 | Sermon Text: Isaiah 61:1-11 (Spirit of the Lord Upon Me)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 126
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Spirit of the Lord God, You bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and release the prisoners. You comfort all who mourn, and shower your people with the oil of gladness instead of mourning; a mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. We will greatly rejoice in the Lord, our whole being shall exult in God, for the sake of the one who brought righteousness to life, Jesus Christ our salvation. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #314 Arise, Your Light Has Come!
ELW #242 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn*
ELW #257 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel*
ELW #254 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus*
ELW #607 Come, Ye Disconsolate
ELW #256 Comfort, Comfort Now My People*
ELW #711 O Day of Peace
ELW #239 Hark, the Glad Sound!*
ELW #664 Heaven Is Singing for Joy
ELW #282 It Came upon the Midnight Clear*
ELW #434 Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #709 Let Streams of Living Justice
ELW #712 Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #843 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
ELW #665 Rise, Shine, You People!
ELW #488/489 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
ELW #842 Oh, Worship the King
LBW #302 Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness
WOV #638 Holy Child Within the Manger*
Various Hymnals Beauty for Brokenness
Various Hymnals The Voice of God Goes Out to All the World
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Indicates Advent/Christmas Hymns

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #268 From Heaven Above*
ELW #532 Gather Us In
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #267 Joy to the World*
ELW #805 Lead On, O King Eternal!
ELW #712 Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #269 Once in Royal David’s City*
ELW #665 Rise, Shine, You People!
ELW #798 Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)
ELW #668 O Zion, Haste
LBW #83 From God the Father, Virgin-Born
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Indicates Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other options based on both:

“Born That We May Have Life” By Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, et al.
“King Of Heaven (Isaiah 61)” By Brian Bergman, Charlie Hall, et al.
“Spirit Of The Sovereign Lord” By Andy Park.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

In expectation of the coming of our Lord, who is Emmanuel, God-with-us; we pray for the needs of the world, the church, and each other.

A brief silence.

Lord God, open the eyes of your church to see how scripture is being fulfilled in the world and challenge the faithful to join in your redemptive and healing work. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bring healing to the places in creation where we have brought ruin and guide our actions that we might be better stewards of what you have given us. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, provide for all the nations rulers who are concerned for the poor and the oppressed, that your favor may be upon all peoples. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bring your justice to the oppressed, to captives, and to prisoners and work in us the will to proclaim your good news to all. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, comfort all who mourn, especially this time of year, and work through all ministers of that comfort so ashes may be turned to garlands. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, cast your mantle upon all who suffer in any way (especially,…), and bring your peace to all in need. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Lord God, you shower us with blessings and favor; we give you thanks for the blessing of the saints who now rest in you and pray you favor us all with a heavenly home. God of 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: December 4, 2016

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor

Advent 2 (NL Year 3)

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday: Proper 25C (30C)
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 11:13 | Sermon Text: Joel 2:12-13, 28- 29 (Joel: God’s
Promised Spirit)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 65
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Loving Lord, When we have strayed, you have called us to come home to you. “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.” With all our hearts we return to you, and gratefully accept your gentle love, for the sake of the one whose spirit lives in us, Jesus Christ our loving savior. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #641 All Are Welcome
ELW #793 Be Thou My Vision
ELW #283 O Come, All Ye Faithful*
ELW #256 Comfort, Comfort Now My People*
ELW #658 O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
ELW #876 Let the Whole Creation Cry
ELW #243 Lost in the Night*
ELW #396 Spirit of Gentleness
LBW #488 Breathe on Me, Breath of God
LBW #162 Lord God, the Holy Ghost
MSB1 #S404 Canticle of Joel
MSB1 #S424 Return to God
Various Hymnals Fear Not, Rejoice and Be Glad
Various Hymnals Spirit of Mercy, Truth, and Love
Various Hymnals Spirit of the Living God
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; MSB1=Music Sourcebook 1)
*Indicates Advent/Christmas Hymns

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #402 Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
ELW #267 Joy to the World*
ELW #752 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
ELW #745 Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright
ELW #397 Loving Spirit
ELW #742 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
WOV #783 Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Indicates Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other options based on both:

“Come Let Us Return” By Matt Redman.
“You Are My King (Amazing Love)” By Billy Foote.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

In expectation of the coming of our Lord, who is Emmanuel, God-with-us; we pray for the needs of the world, the church, and each other.

A brief silence.

Pour out your spirit on the church, O Lord; may we be bold in our proclamation and prophesying. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour out your spirit on all creation, O Lord; may the rest and hibernation of plants and animals provide renewal and rejuvenation to the earth. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour out your spirit on our leaders, O Lord; may their vision inspire the nations to pursue peace and justice. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour out your spirit on the broken places of the world, O Lord; may violence end that weeping and mourning may cease. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour out your spirit on the sick, O Lord, (especially,…); may your healing work be done and our dreams of wholeness be made true. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

You have poured out your spirit on the saints, O Lord, (especially,…); may we seek to follow in their faithful example. God of 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.

Advent Wreath Lighting Litany

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor
Week 1 – Nov. 27, 2016:

Verse one of “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” (ELW #240)

We walk in darkness
And look for the coming light.

We are beset upon on all sides
And seek deliverance from evil.

We are cowed by political and societal pressure
And seek the strength to proclaim your reign.

God of Daniel, open our eyes to see your Kingdom breaking into our own. Strengthen our trust in your promises and help us to locate our hope in you. May the light of this candle be for us the light of the sunrise breaking into our dens of lions, our dens of fear and anxiety, our dens of darkness and death. And may we, who have see your light in the darkness, proclaim the hope we have in you to this weary world. Amen.

Week 2 – Dec. 4, 2016:

Verse two of “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” (ELW #240)

We walk in darkness
And look for the coming light.

We turn to the Lord with weeping and mourning
As we see our brokenness and the brokenness around us.

We look  to you for graciousness and abundant love, O Lord
Since we cannot find it in ourselves or in our world.

God of Joel, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and lead us to our true home, your Kingdom. Broaden our love and show us your presence even in surprising places. May the light of this candle show us your dreams and visions that we may boldly proclaim your mercy and love. Amen.

Week 3 – Dec. 11, 2016:

Verse three of “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” (ELW #240)

We walk in darkness
And look for the coming light.

We look for the year of our Lord’s favor when justice and peace will prevail
Knowing that too often we do not act as your anointed people.

We await the shoots of righteousness and praise to spring forth
Trusting that you turn our barrenness into abundance.

God of Isaiah, cover us in your righteousness and bless us to be blessings to others. Magnify our praise that we may display your glory and proclaim your good news. May the light of this candle illumine the dark places of our lives and show us how you bring restoration to ruins and wholeness to devastation. Amen.

Week 4 – Dec. 18, 2016:

Verse four of “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” (ELW #240)

We walk in darkness
And look for the coming light.

We await the glorious news of Emmanuel, God-with-us
The one who will turn the world upside down and God-side up.

We marvel at your graciousness, God Most High
Seeing your Holiness clothed in humanness.

God of Mary and Elizabeth, fill us with joy at the news of your coming in Jesus. Deepen our faith in your ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. May the light of this candle comfort us with the knowledge that your light banishes the darkness and that your light dwells with us and in us. Amen.

 

NL Worship Resources: November 27, 2016

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor

Advent 1 (NL Year 3)

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday: N/A
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 23:1-5 | Sermon Text: Daniel 6:6-27 (Daniel’s Hope in God)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 25
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of deliverance, You rescued Daniel from the mouths of the lions when he was punished for worshiping you. Liberate all who are endangered for the sake of their faith, and rescue us from anything that separates us from worshiping only you, for the sake of the one who made your name known to all people, across land and seas, Jesus Christ, our redeemer. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #250 Blessed be the God of Israel
ELW #245 Creator of the Stars of Night
ELW #569 The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Has Ended
ELW #320 The Glory of these Forty Days
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #418 Rejoice in God’s Saints
ELW #825 You Servants of God
WOV #671 Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
Various Hymnals Dare to Be a Daniel
Various Hymnals He Is Able to Deliver Thee
Various Hymnals Who would true valor see
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #337 Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
ELW #416 At the Name of Jesus
ELW #662 Christ is the King!
ELW #749 O God of Love, O King of Peace
ELW #502 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
ELW #260 The King Shall come
ELW #430 Rejoice, for Christ is King!
W&P #136 The King of Glory Comes
W&P #80 King of Kings and Lord of Lords
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; W&P=Worship & Praise Songbook)

Other options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“May the Lord” As performed by The Brilliance.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

In expectation of the coming of our Lord, who is Emmanuel, God-with-us; we pray for the needs of the world, the church, and each other.

A brief silence.

Living God, work signs and wonders through your church that the good news of your deliverance may be proclaimed to all the world. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

God of creatures great and small, heal broken ecosystems and protect the abundance and diversity of life on earth. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

God above, work in our leaders and provide them with wise and faithful counselors. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

God of deliverance, bring all who are trapped in despair or loneliness out of the darkness of their lion’s dens. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

God of abundance, heal all who suffer and restore people and relationships to wholeness. God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Enduring God, your eternal dominion is evident in the lives of all the saints, we thank you for their witness and example. God of 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.

Confession and Absolution & Call to Worship for Advent/Christmas

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor
Confession and Absolution

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

Lord God,
pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and deliver us from all evil.
Open our eyes to see how we are broken
and do not live in healthy relationship with you
or with our neighbors.
Guide our confession through the Holy Spirit,
that we may return to you
through the redemption we have in Jesus, God-with-us.
Amen.

Returning to our gracious Lord,
let us confess our sins.

Silence for reflection and confession.

Merciful God,
we confess that we do not and cannot live
as you want us to live.
We confess that we regularly participate in wrongdoing
and do not live according to your justice.
We are often proud and self-righteous,
we oppress the lowly and marginalized,
we do not fill the hungry or bind up the brokenhearted,
we do not proclaim liberty to the captives,
and we do not bring good news to the oppressed.
Bring us out of the lion’s den of our sin
and clothe us with the garments of salvation,
won for us through Jesus Christ
our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

Our God is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love;
and out of that love God sent Jesus Christ
to die for us that we may be restored to life.
Therefore, as Isaiah proclaimed,
as Mary and Elizabeth proclaimed,
as Simeon and Anna proclaimed,
so too, can we proclaim to one another now:
God redeems you and restores you,
God loves you and forgives you,
God sees you and claims you!
Amen.

 

Call to Worship

 

We worship the God of the prophets, of Isaiah, of Daniel, or Joel:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God.

We worship the God of the least and lowly:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

We worship the God of the heavens and join with the heavenly host:
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace, goodwill among people!

We worship Emmanuel, God-with-us:
My eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.

NL Worship Resources: November 20, 2016

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor

Christ the King

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday: Lent 5B
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 22:19-20 | Sermon Text: Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; 31:31-34 (God Promises a New Covenant)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 119:9-16
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God, whose fondness for humanity knows no limit,
Write your word upon our hearts, so that we need no scroll, no book, no script to know that you love us. Show us the power of your covenant, that you will be faithful to us, even when we fail to remain faithful to you. For the beauty of your word inscribed upon us, we pray, in the name of the one whose body and blood became your new covenant with us, 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 #250 Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #711 O Day of Peace
ELW #605 Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #733 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW #574 Here I Am, Lord
ELW #592 Just as I Am, Without One Plea
ELW #596 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
ELW #864/865 Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW #487 What Feast of Love
ELW #566 When Twilight Comes
LBW #488 Breathe on Me, Breath of God
LBW #506 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
DATH #91 Write Your Law upon Our Hearts
Various Hymnals Deep Within
Various Hymnals Grant to Us, O Lord
Various Hymnals Help Us, O Lord, to Learn
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #474 Bread of Life from Heaven
ELW #491 Come, Let Us Eat
ELW #472 Eat This Bread
ELW #494 For the Bread Which You Have Broken
ELW #483 Here is Bread
ELW #471 Let Us Break Bread Together
ELW #674 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
ELW #460 Now the Silence
ELW #484 You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
LBW #209 Come, Risen Lord
LBW #226 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord
LBW #211 Here, O My Lord, I See Thee
WOV #707 This Is My Body
Various Hymnals According to Thy Gracious Word
Various Hymnals Bread of the World
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Closer” By Amanda Cook.
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.

God of the covenant, put your law and your word within our hearts that your church may proclaim your forgiveness and love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the covenant, put your law and your word within our hearts that we might be wise stewards of your creation and work to bring healing and wholeness wherever there is brokenness. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the covenant, put your law and your word within our hearts that the nations may strive for justice and peace and all might know you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the covenant, put your law and your word within our hearts that we might work for justice and freedom for all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the covenant, put your law and your word within our hearts that we might bear your comfort and hope to all who suffer. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of the covenant, put your law and your word within our hearts as you put them in the hearts of all the saints before us that your message might resound throughout the ages. 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: November 13, 2016

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor

Lectionary 33

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Trinity B
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 5:8-10 | Sermon Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 (God Calls Isaiah)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 29
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): King of heaven and earth,
As you cleansed Isaiah with a coal of fire to prepare him for proclaiming your word to the world, prepare us, so that we may know your bidding and carry out our callings with eagerness and urgency. Show the world greatness that cannot be contained any more than smoke or fire can be caught, in the name of the one who sacrificed everything to carry out your commands, Jesus Christ our sanctifier. 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 #831 The God of Abraham Praise
ELW #574 Here I Am, Lord
ELW #414 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
ELW #413 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
ELW #473 Holy, Holy, Holy, My Heart
ELW #580 How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
ELW #868 Isaiah in a Vision Did of Old
ELW #834 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
ELW #529 Jesus, We Are Gathered
ELW #676 Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak
ELW #823 Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him
ELW #873/874 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
ELW #809 Send Me, Lord
ELW #842 O Worship the King all glorious above
Various Hymnals Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old
Various Hymnals You Are God, We Praise You
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #520 Blessed Jesus, at Thy word
ELW #796 How Firm a Foundation
ELW #798 The Summons
ELW #817 You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore
Various Hymnals Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Various Hymnals Lord, When You Came
Various Hymnals Two Fishermen
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Holy is our King” By Rita Springer. As performed by Rick Pino.
“You are Holy” By Per Harling.
“You Are Holy (Prince Of Peace)” By Marc Imboden, Tammi Rhoton. As performed by Michael W. Smith.
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, you call your church to witness to your holiness. Sanctify us and send us into the world to proclaim your love and grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the heavens and the earth, you provide more than enough for all of creation. Move our hearts to acts of stewardship and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, you are enthroned in glory above the highest heavens. Keep our leaders humble and provide them with your wisdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of hosts, you care for the least as much as the greatest. Bring hope to the oppressed, and justice to all people and nations. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Healing God, you are the source of comfort and peace. Provide your great care for all who are sick (especially,…). Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of all time, you have called many to be your servants and prophets. Turn our eyes to their example and work in and through us as you worked through them. 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.