Epiphany 4 Year 1

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Ash Wednesday A/B/C and Epiphany 8A
Readings: Treasure in Heaven Sermon text – Matthew 6:7-21[25-34] Companion text – Psalm 20:7
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Extravagant God, you have promised treasure in heaven that outweighs any we could envision or imagine on earth. Help us to be grateful for the amazing gifts you have already given to us. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #589. All Depends on Our Possessing
ELW #565. All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night
ELW #846. Amen, We Praise Your Name (Amen siakudumisa)
ELW #793. Be Thou My Vision
ELW #781. Children of the Heavenly Father (Tryggare kan ingen vara)
ELW #645. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
ELW #521. O Day of Rest and Gladness
ELW #605. Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #679. For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW #647. Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
ELW #748. O God in Heaven
ELW #740. God of the Sparrow
ELW #852. Golden Breaks the Dawn (Qing zao qilai kan)
ELW #769. If You But Trust in God to Guide You
ELW #754. Jesus, the Very Thought of You
ELW #775. Jesus, Priceless Treasure
ELW #624. Jesus, Still Lead On
ELW #435. Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
ELW #517. Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
ELW #538. The Lord Now Sends us Forth
ELW #765. Lord of All Hopefulness
ELW #688. Lord of Light
ELW #745. Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright
ELW #397. Loving Spirit
ELW #890. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory
ELW #689. Praise and Thanksgiving
ELW #655. Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #663. Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word
ELW #824. This Is My Father’s World
ELW #262. Wait for the Lord
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
ELW #741. Your Will Be Done (Mayenziwe)
LBW #413. Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation
LBW #353. May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill
LBW #437. Not Alone for Mighty Empire
WOV #767. All Things Bright and Beautiful
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Various Hymnals Again We Keep This Solemn Fast Attributed to Gregory the Great
Various Hymnals Look and Learn (2006) Na Yŏng-su (Translator: John L. Bell)
Various Hymnals Our Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth (1982) Versifier: Henry J. de Jong
Various Hymnals Wait for the Lord (1984) Communauté de Taizé
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #757. All My Hope on God Is Founded
ELW #450. I Bind unto Myself Today
ELW #769. If You But Trust in God to Guide You
Various Hymnals Be Still and Know Author: Anonymous
Various Hymnals In the Day of Need (1973) Versifier: Christopher M. Idle
Various Hymnals May the Lord God Hear You Pray (1990) Michael Perry
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Build Your Kingdom Here” By Rend Collective Experiment.
“Open The Eyes of My Heart” By Paul Baloche.
“Who Am I” By Mark Hall.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Sisters and brothers, let us lift our hearts in faith to the one who hears all prayers and holds close all those in need.

A brief silence.

Our Father, provide the church with your agitating and powerful spirit, that we may boldly proclaim your radical and inclusive love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our Father, provide your life to fields and stream, birds and beasts, that your abundance may be shared with all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our Father, provide the nations with wise and compassionate rulers, that peace and justice reign and all the world thrive. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our Father, provide your comfort to those confounded by worry and anxiety, that the light of your hope break through all darkness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our Father, provide healing to those in pain (especially,…), that the wholeness you desire for us be known to all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our Father, provide direction and energy to this congregation, that we may leave our doors to love and serve our neighbors as you call us to do. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Our Father, provide faith and trust in you, that we may join with the saints in praising your glory. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior. Bring healing to all wounds, make whole all that is broken, speak truth to all illusion, and shed light in every darkness, that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.