Epiphany 5 Year 1

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Epiphany 9A or Proper 4(9)A
Readings: The Golden Rule Sermon text – Matthew 7:1-14, 24-29 Companion text – Psalm 37:16-18
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of wisdom and groundedness, you have encouraged us to live our lives grounded in faith, patience, and love. Help us to love others without judgement, but with a solid foundation of acceptance, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #516. Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast
ELW #302. As with Gladness Men of Old
ELW #402. Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
ELW #605. Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #564. God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven
ELW #786. O Holy Spirit, Enter In
ELW #796. How Firm a Foundation
ELW #658. O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
ELW #754. Jesus, the Very Thought of You
ELW #519. Open Your Ears, O Faithful People
ELW #689. Praise and Thanksgiving
ELW #669. Rise Up, O Saints of God!
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #262. Wait for the Lord
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
ELW #774. What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
WOV #664. A New Commandment
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Various Hymnals Ask, Seek, and Knock (1997) by Mark Barnard
Various Hymnals I Will Sing the Wondrous Story (1886) by Francis H. Rowley
Various Hymnals Nothing Can Trouble (1991) by Communauté de Taizé
Various Hymnals You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (1991) by Sylvia G. Dunstan
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #402. Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
ELW #765. Lord of All Hopefulness
LBW #373. Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round
Various Hymnals Commit Your Way to God the Lord (1989) by Michael Perry
Various Hymnals Give to the Winds Thy Fears (1656) by Paul Gerhardt
Various Hymnals Leave it there (1906) by Charles Albert Tindley
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Awesome God” By Rich Mullins.
“In Christ Alone” By Stuart Townend, Keith Getty.
“More Than Conquerors”
“My Lighthouse” As performed by Rend collective
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.

Teach the church, O God, to avoid judging others and to shine forth with your love and grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach the peoples, O God, to care for the earth and to be better stewards of your glorious creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach the leaders of nations, O God, to follow in your ways of peace and justice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach us all, O God, to treat others as you would have us treat them, with love and compassion. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach comforters, O God, to better serve the needs of those in pain and offer hope to the hopeless. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach this congregation, O God, to seek your will above all else and to strive for blessed community in all we do. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Teach us still on the journey, O God, to follow in your way, the way of countless saints before us us for whom we give you thanks. 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.