Month: December 2018

On Vacation

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I generally don’t provide much by way of resources for Christmas, as there is already a plethora of material available (one of my favorites is re:Worship). And I traditionally take the week after Christmas as vacation to spend time with family; so I won’t be providing resources for Christmas 1 either. I will resume updating with a post for Epiphany the Wednesday before and work to get back on my two-week-out schedule following that. Have a Blessed Christmas!!

PS – So as I was preparing a hymn-sign service for December 30th I realized there is not a lot out there for Matthew 1:1-17. So I wrote an opening litany for that Sunday:

On the precipice of a New Year we cast our thoughts to the past,
we give thanks for all the saints who have gone before us in faith.

Our stories are the continuation of countless stories before us,
may our lives of faith continue on in those who follow after us.

As we reflect this day on the ancestors of Jesus,
ordinary people involved in God’s extraordinary gift of salvation,
we pray that God use ordinary us in sharing that gift with the world.

And just as many named in Christ’s genealogy were outsiders and outcasts,
and others were kings, priests, and leaders;
may we see you at work in both the lowly and the mighty,
and may our worship this day join with theirs in reflecting your glory.

Christ has come, breaking into our broken reality,
break into us, O Christ, and keep us in your Way. Amen.

Worship Resources: December 23, 2018

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Advent 4 Year 1

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Advent 4A
Readings: Jesus as Immanuel Sermon text – Matthew 1:18-25 Companion text – Psalm 23:1-4
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of promise, you made a commitment to Joseph that you would make Jesus a savior to all. Renew your commitment with us, so that all may know the saving grace of your son, Jesus. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #266. All Earth Is Hopeful (Toda la tierra)
ELW #275. Angels, from the Realms of Glory
ELW #289. Angels We Have Heard on High
ELW #242. Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
ELW #277/8. Away in a Manger
ELW #283. O Come, All Ye Faithful
ELW #257. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW #259. Fling Wide the Door
ELW #268. From Heaven Above
ELW #288. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
ELW #290. Go Tell It on the Mountain
ELW #239. Hark, the Glad Sound!
ELW #270. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
ELW #620. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
ELW #282. It Came upon the Midnight Clear
ELW #267. Joy to the World
ELW #279. O Little Town of Bethlehem
ELW #272. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
ELW #292. Love Has Come
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten
ELW #274. On Christmas Night
ELW #269. Once in Royal David’s City
ELW #285. Peace Came to Earth
ELW #281. Silent Night, Holy Night!
ELW #293. That Boy-Child of Mary
ELW #265. The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
ELW #300. The First Noel
ELW #342. There in God’s Garden
ELW #296. What Child Is This
WOV #638. Holy Child Within the Manger (Carol at the Manger)
Various Hymnals Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Various Hymnals Jesus, Name Above All Names
Various Hymnals The Hands That First Held Mary’s Child
Various Hymnals The name of Jesus
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #629. Abide with Me
ELW #883. All People That on Earth Do Dwell
ELW #526. God Is Here!
ELW #733. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW #699. In Deepest Night
ELW #325. I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
ELW #336. Lamb of God (Your Only Son)
ELW #768. Lead Me, Guide Me
ELW #782. My Shepherd, You Supply My Need
ELW #789. Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
ELW #780. Shepherd Me, O God
ELW #502. The King of Love My Shepherd Is
ELW #778. The Lord’s My Shepherd
ELW #785. When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)
Various Hymnals God Leads Us Along
Various Hymnals He Leadeth Me
Various Hymnals I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
Various Hymnals Surely Goodness and Mercy
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“Born That We May Have Life” By Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, et al.
“Mighty to Save” By Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

God with the church, guide us in your right paths and work through us that your will be done in this world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God with creation, guide us in your right paths and bless all that lives with your sustaining power. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God with the nations, guide us in your right paths and send forth your just and peaceful spirit upon the earth. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God with us, guide us in your right paths and stir in us all a desire for relationship and reconciliation. Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

God with the suffering, guide us in your right paths and work your healing power in the lives of in need (especially,…). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God with this congregation, guide us in your right paths and bless our ministries that they might reflect your desires for this time and this place. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God with the saints, guide us in your right paths and bring us all to our heavenly home. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Worship Resources: December 16, 2018

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Advent 3 Year 1

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Baptism of the Lord (A)
Readings: Light to the Nations Sermon text – Isaiah 42:1-9 Companion text – Matthew 12:15-21
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of light, you sent a savior into the world to bring justice and release to all who are in bondage. Shine this light upon us, and show us how to bring justice and peace to all who suffer. 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 #715. Christ, Be Our Light
ELW #408. Come, Thou Almighty King
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #526. God Is Here!
ELW #564. God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven
ELW #771. God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens
ELW #358. Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #699. In Deepest Night
ELW #434. Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #710. Let Streams of Living Justice
ELW #397. Loving Spirit
ELW #263. Savior of the Nations, Come
Various Hymnals Behold the Prince of Peace by John Needham
Various Hymnals Behold my Servant! see him rise
Various Hymnals Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
Various Hymnals The Voice of God Goes Out to All the World by Luke Connaughton
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #838. Beautiful Savior
ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #239. Hark, the Glad Sound!
ELW #317. Jesus on the Mountain Peak
ELW #824. This Is My Father’s World
Various Hymnals Beauty for brokenness by Graham Kendrick
Various Hymnals Prepare the Way, O Zion by Frans Franzen
Various Hymnals To the Name of Our Salvation by J. M. Neale
Various Hymnals With Joy We Meditate the Grace by Isaac Watts
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“God Of Nations” By Peter Furler, Steve Taylor.
“We Speak to Nations” By Israel Houghton.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

Lord God, call your church to righteousness and keep it in your love, grace, and mercy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, stretch our your hand in healing and protection over all that you have made. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Just God, grant your spirit to the nations and send your light to the dark places of the world . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Suffering God, teach all people of your faithfulness and bring forth justice and mercy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Saving God, sustain all who suffer with your spirit and release those imprisoned by pain or disease. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renewing God, take this congregation and move it according to your will, making us a light to our communities. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Promising God, keep us steadfast toward you as you kept the saints before us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thanksgiving for the Word (Advent-Epiphany)

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As mentioned before, my parish occasionally has a service of the word rather than a service of Holy Communion. Here is the Thanksgiving for the Word that I wrote for Advent through Epiphany.

Thanksgiving for the Word

Let us pray.

Your Word points us to the coming of Christ in glory,
the full in-breaking of the Kingdom of God into our world,
a Kingdom of peace, justice, mercy, and love,
where all things shall be made new.
For your Word of hopeful future, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.

Your Word became flesh in Jesus Christ,
taking on human flesh and human limitations,
in order to express the fullness of your love,
and the depths of your grace.
For your Word-with-us, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.

Your Word proclaimed love in the waters of baptism,
joining us even in temptation and trial,
and teaching people their blessedness
in meekness, righteousness, grief, and persecution.
For your illuminating Word, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.

Your Word shows the treasure that is relationship with you,
relationship with one another,
and the beauty of your Kingdom.
For your Word which crafts community, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.

Your Word provided food for the hungry,
both physically, and in spirit,
and showed compassion for all people.
For your generous Word, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.

On the mountaintop your Word was transfigured,
shining forth with the light of your glory,
and revealing your full and loving presence in Christ.
For your glorious Word, O God,
we give you thanks and praise.

Work in us, O God,
through your creative, faithful, just, forgiving, and powerful Word.
And being steeped in your Word, make us witnesses to it and
send your Spirit to direct us in the way of Jesus Christ. Amen.