As previously mentioned, I am part of a group doing a summer series on “Women of Scripture.”

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): N/A
Readings: Rahab Sermon text – Joshua 2:1-23 Companion texts – Psalm 33:16-22 and/or Matthew 21:28-32
Prayer of the Day: God of Rahab, you constantly use surprising people in surprising ways to work your will in the world. Use even ordinary us in our daily lives, to bring about your will in the world. Your will, shown through the life of Jesus, which is a will for peace, justice, mercy, and love for others. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #647. Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
ELW #237/8. Litany of the Saints
Various Hymnals A Prophet-woman Broke a Jar
Various Hymnals Foremothers of Christ
Various Hymnals In Matthew’s Gospel There Are Five
Various Hymnals There is a Line of Women
Various Hymnals Who’d Have Thought the Lord Almighty
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #756. Eternal Father, Strong to Save
ELW #632. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
ELW #836. Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
ELW #837. Many and Great, O God (Wakantanka taku nitawa)
ELW #608 Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Various Hymnals God, Who Touchest Earth With Beauty
Various Hymnals I Will Sing
Various Hymnals O Love of God, How Strong and True
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Come Let Us Worship” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves.
“Rahab’s Song” By Eddie Spence
“Mighty to Save” By Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan.
“The Battle Of Jericho Revisited” By Kathie Hill
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.

Lord of the church, open our eyes to the surprising ways you are at work in the world around us and move us to join in your kingdom-building work . Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Lord of all creation, furnish the earth with all its needs and bring your healing power to bear where we have caused harm. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Lord of all nations, bring equity and justice to all peoples and make us agents of your reign in all aspects of our life together. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Lord of promise, work in the lives of all believers to deepen our trust in your amazing promises of life and love. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Lord of wholeness, provide healing and comfort to all those in pain (especially,…). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Lord of this congregation, strengthen our bonds of love with one another and bind us ever more closely to you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Lord of life, continue to work through the example of all the saints who have gone before us and keep them in peace. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

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.