18th Sunday after Pentecost

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): N/A
Readings: Joseph in Prison Sermon text – Genesis 39:1-23 Companion text – Matthew 5:11-12
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of presence, you remained fully with Joseph when he sat long years in a prison for a crime he did not commit. Help us to see that you are always with us, so that we might live faithfully in your world. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #314. Arise, Your Light Has Come!
ELW #793. Be Thou My Vision
ELW #812/3. Faith of Our Fathers
ELW #721. Goodness Is Stronger than Evil
ELW #733. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW #769. If You But Trust in God to Guide You
ELW #699. In Deepest Night
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #697. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
ELW #600. Out of the Depths I Cry to You
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #773. Precious Lord, Take My Hand
ELW #613. Thy Holy Wings
ELW #774. What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
Various Hymnals People of the Lord
Various Hymnals Safe in Your Hands, O God, Who Made Me
Various Hymnals Trust in the Lord
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #728. Blest Are They
ELW #520. Dearest Jesus, at Your Word
ELW #753. Dona nobis pacem
ELW #427. For All Your Saints, O Lord
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #428. Give Thanks for Saints
ELW #817. You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore (Tú Has Venido a La Orilla)
LBW #17. How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need of God
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Various Hymnals Blessed Are the Persecuted
Various Hymnals Courage, brother! Do not stumble
Various Hymnals Let There Be Peace on Earth
Various Hymnals We Are the Light of the World
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“10,000 Reasons” By Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman.
“Blessed Are the Humble” By Graham Kendrick.
“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“Unwavering” By Matt Maher.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world.

A brief silence.

We pray for the church around the world; especially for those churches and Christians that find themselves persecuted for their faith, be present with them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for coastlines and waterways; especially for those areas recently affected by hurricanes and flooding, bring restoration to wetlands. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

We pray for the nations of the world; especially those areas that are experiencing violence and warfare (especially,…), may your peace prevail. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are in prison; especially those who are imprisoned unjustly, work your justice in all legal systems. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are in any pain; especially those who may be close to death, share the comfort of your presence with them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the people gathered here this day; especially for their work in daily ministry, make them bold in their witness to your love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

We pray for all who have died in the faith; especially those we name now (silence), may we be rejoined with them in praising you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.