20th Sunday after Pentecost

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 6(11)A and Lent 3B
Readings: Covenant and Commandments Sermon text – Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 Companion text – Matthew 5:17
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of the commandments, you gave the Israelites laws so that they might live in harmony with one another. Show us how to live in peace, so that all may know of your love. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #521. O Day of Rest and Gladness
ELW #413. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
ELW #796. How Firm a Foundation
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #787. On Eagle’s Wings
ELW #396. Spirit of Gentleness
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
LBW #428. O God of Earth and Altar
LBW #353. May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill
DATH #91 Write Your Law upon Our Hearts
LS #73 Come! Come! Everybody Worship
W&P #72 I Will Delight
Various Hymnals Lord, Have Mercy upon Us
Various Hymnals The Lord Is God, There Is No Other
Various Hymnals Make Way
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest; LS=LifeSongs; W&P=Worship & Praise)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #442. All Who Believe and Are Baptized
ELW #247. Come Now, O Prince of Peace (Ososŏ, ososŏ)
ELW #665. Rise, Shine, You People!
LBW #238. God Has Spoken by His Prophets
LBW #376. Your Kingdom Come!
DATH #64 Brighter than the Sun
Various Hymnals Bring Forth the Kingdom
Various Hymnals O Christ, the Master Carpenter
Various Hymnals The Kingdom of God Is Justice and Joy
Various Hymnals Song of St. Patrick
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“All Praise To You” By David Leonard, Leslie Jordan.
“Breath Of God” By Vicky Beeching.
“No Other Gods” By David Moffitt.
“You Are Holy (Prince Of Peace)” By Marc Imboden, Tammi Rhoton.
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.

Faithful God, strengthen all servants of the church (especially Bishop[s]…) and make of your people a beacon of justice, peace, and love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, the whole earth is yours; bring healing and wholeness where we have caused harm and show us how to live in harmony with creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bring your rule to the world and cause our leaders to search for peace and justice in all nations. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Freeing God, rescue all who are in captivity; we pray especially for the victims of human trafficking, that they may be freed from their slavery. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Restoring God, heal the sick and ill (especially,…) and bear them into your healing and peaceful presence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Just God, help us to see the Law as a gift rather than a weapon; grant harmony to our congregation and communities and peace to all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Eternal God, we give you thanks for the steadfast love you have shown throughout the generations and we ask that you bring us into your presence along with all the saints to give you glory. 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.