Lent 3 (NL Year 3)

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Lent 4C
Readings: Psalm: Psalm 119:167- 176 | Sermon Text: Luke 15:1-32 (Lost Sheep, Coin, Son)
OT Suggestion: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Rejoicing Father, you celebrate when one of your lost children is found because no one is worthless to you. We stand humbled and in awe that you would count us among your most prized possessions. Give us eyes to see the priceless value of every living soul, for the sake of the one who became human for the sake of our souls, Jesus Christ our seeker. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #779 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #816 Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
ELW #807 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #679 For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW #358 Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW #740 God of the Sparrow
ELW #664 Heaven Is Singing for Joy
ELW #619 I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
ELW #650 In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW #592 Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #502 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
ELW #599 Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #765 Lord of All Hopefulness
ELW #778 The Lord’s My Shepherd
ELW #460 Now the Silence
ELW #772 Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways
ELW #606 Our Father, We Have Wandered
ELW #789 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
ELW #608 Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
ELW #587/588 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #659 Will You Let Me Be Your Servant
LBW #304 Today Your Mercy Calls Us
Various Hymnals Jesus Sinners Does Receive
Various Hymnals I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
Various Hymnals Welcome! Wanderer, Welcome!
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Psalm:

ELW #886 Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
ELW #772 Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways
ELW #789 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” By Chris Tomlin, John Newton, et al.
“Come Home Running” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

(Introduction and Conclusion from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002)

My brothers and sisters: reconciled to God by the mercy of Christ, we pray with confidence for the needs of the church and the world.

A brief silence.

God of prodigal love, bless your church and its leaders. Bring about unity and reconciliation among your people that all may see your love in the witness of your disciples. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of prodigal love, bless all creatures great and small. Provide your abundant life to all the places of the world that we have harmed and move us to be better stewards of all that you have created. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of prodigal love, bless our President, Congress, Supreme Court, Governor, State Legislators, and all who provide leadership at any level of government. Grant wisdom and compassion that the broken systems of the world be redeemed and recreated to conform with your peace and justice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of prodigal love, bless families of all sorts. Work healing and reconciliation where relationships are broken and strengthen relationships where they are strong. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of prodigal love, bless all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit (especially,…). Sustain them with the knowledge of your loving presence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of prodigal love, you have welcomed home many who have gone before us. Strengthen us through their witness and deepen our trust in your ultimate welcome home. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through Christ you make us a new creation, O God, for with him we pass from sin to the new life of grace. Accept our prayers in the warm embrace of your compassion, and welcome all people to the festive banquet of your table, where we may rejoice in your love
and celebrate the inheritance you have given to us. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.