Lent 4 (NL Year 3)

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 21C(26C)
Readings: Psalm: Psalm 41:1-3 | Sermon Text: Luke 16:19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus)
OT Suggestion: Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Divine Word, you sent Moses to speak law to the people and bring order to chaos. You sent prophets to speak repentance and bring hope to the hopeless. You sent your son, Jesus, to become your living Word. Open our ears to hear your word, and our hearts to reflect the light of your truth to others, for the sake of the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #461 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
ELW #480 O Bread of Life from Heaven
ELW #684 Creating God, Your Fingers Trace
ELW #713 O God of Every Nation
ELW #705 God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #852 Golden Breaks the Dawn
ELW #775 Jesus, Priceless Treasure
ELW #768 Lead Me, Guide Me
ELW #750 Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
ELW #712 Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #787 On Eagle’s Wings
ELW #655 Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW #725 When the Poor Ones
ELW #719 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
ELW #690 We Raise Our Hands to You, O Lord
LBW #483 God Moves in a Mysterious Way
LBW #547 Thee We Adore, Eternal Lord!
Various Hymnals Jesus, All My Gladness
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Psalm:

ELW #610 O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #770 Give Me Jesus
ELW #742 What a Friend We Have in Jesus
LBW #431 Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Amazing God” by Brenton Brown
“Everything” by Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard
“Happy Day” by Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes
“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” by Stuart Townend
“It Is You” by Darlene Zschech
“Lord Reign In Me” by Brenton Brown
“There Is A Redeemer” by Melody Green
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

God of mercy and healing, you who hear the cries of those in need, receive these petitions of your people that all who are troubled may know peace, comfort, and courage.

A brief silence.

God, we give you thanks for the church. Help us to proclaim your call for righteousness and justice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, we give you thanks for your good creation. Move us to be better stewards of the earth and care for it in ways that lead to renewal and healing. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, we give you thanks for systems of government. Grant wisdom and compassion to our leaders that all the world may know peace and equality. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, we give you thanks for the many ways in which you have blessed us. Open our eyes to see how we may use what you have given us to bless others. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, we give you thanks for your healing work. Bless doctors, nurses, EMTs, and all who care for the injured or sick. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God, we give you thanks for all the saints who have gone before us. Keep us strong in the faith as you kept them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Life-giving God, heal our lives, that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds and offer you thanks from generation to generation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.