Lent 4

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Good Friday A/B/C or Reign of Christ B
Readings: Psalm Text: Psalm 145:10-13 | Sermon Text: John 18:28-40 (Jesus and Pilate)
Epistle Suggestion: Colossians 1:12-14
Prayer of the Day (WP): God of truth, too often we bend truth to fit our needs. Show us how to recognize and follow your truth, shown to us by the love and life of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #801. Change My Heart, O God
ELW #431. O Christ, What Can It Mean for Us
ELW #481. Come to the Table
ELW #347. Go to Dark Gethsemane
ELW #432. The Head That Once Was Crowned
ELW #332. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
ELW #611. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #434. Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #805. Lead On, O King Eternal!
ELW #343. My Song Is Love Unknown
ELW #430. Rejoice, for Christ is King!
LBW #537. O Jesus, King Most Wonderful!
LBW #124/5. The Royal Banners Forward Go
LBW #202. Victim Divine, Your Grace We Claim
LBW #190. We Praise You, Lord
Various Hymnals O come and mourn with me awhile
Various Hymnals Hail, Thou once-despisèd Jesus!
Various Hymnals You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #733. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW #414. Holy God, We Praise Your Name
ELW #413. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
ELW #836. Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
ELW #881. Let All Things Now Living
ELW #886. Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
ELW #842. Oh, Worship the King
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #889. The Right Hand of God
ELW #826. Thine the Amen
ELW #824. This Is My Father’s World
LBW #521. Let Us with a Gladsome Mind
Various Hymnals God, my King, Thy might confessing
Various Hymnals I will praise your name forever
Various Hymnals Praise the Lord! His Glories Show
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Go To Dark Gethsemane” By James Montgomery, Richard Redhead.
“Light Of The World” By Matt Redman.
“You Are My King (Amazing Love)” By Billy Foote.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Beloved friends, in this season of repentance and healing, we accept God’s invitation to be ever-mindful of the needs of others, offering our prayers on behalf of God’s community in the church and the world.

A brief silence.

We pray for the church; that we may point to the truth of Jesus Christ in all that we do. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for creation; that the truth of God’s creative and sustaining power inspire us to heal and protect the environment. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the nations and the leaders of nations; that the truth of God’s ruling kingdom of justice and peace may be known and fully realized. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the coming kingdom; that the truth of our citizenship in God’s kingdom cause us to be agents  of mercy and love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick (especially,…); that the truth of God’s desire for life and healing inspire us to acts of comfort and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

We pray for the faithful dead; that the truth of God in which they trusted may be as deeply rooted in our lives as it was in theirs. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill us with your strength to resist the seductions of our foolish desires and the tempter’s vain delights, that we may walk in obedience and righteousness, rejoicing in you with an upright heart. Amen.