Epiphany 7 Year 1

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 13(18)A and Proper 14(19)A
Readings: Feeding 5,000 Sermon text – Matthew 14:13-33 Companion text – Psalm 95:1-5
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Generous God, you helped your son Jesus feed 5,000 hungry people who had gathered to hear of your love. Help us provide for the needs of all who hunger for your word. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #474. Bread of Life from Heaven
ELW #515. Break Now the Bread of Life
ELW #794. Calm to the Waves
ELW #729. The Church of Christ, in Every Age
ELW #756. Eternal Father, Strong to Save
ELW #494. For the Bread Which You Have Broken
ELW #358. Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW #618. Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer
ELW #737. He Comes to Us as One Unknown
ELW #796. How Firm a Foundation
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #810. O Jesus, I Have Promised
ELW #755. Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
ELW #592. Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #674. Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
ELW #599. Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #676. Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak
ELW #712. Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #596/7. My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
ELW #763. My Life Flows On in Endless Song
ELW #843. Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
ELW #773. Precious Lord, Take My Hand
ELW #459. Wade in the Water
ELW #666. What Wondrous Love Is This
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
ELW #758. You Are the Way
LBW #506. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Various Hymnals I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew (1878) by Anonymous
Various Hymnals Love Lifted Me (1912) by James Rowe
Various Hymnals Peace, it is I (5th Century) by St. Anatolius. of Constantinople
Various Hymnals Where is Bread? (2000) by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #883. All People That on Earth Do Dwell
ELW #224/5. Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord
ELW #819. Come, All You People (Uyaimose)
ELW #408. Come, Thou Almighty King
ELW #879. For the Beauty of the Earth
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #881. Let All Things Now Living
ELW #527. Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
ELW #837. Many and Great, O God (Wakantanka taku nitawa)
ELW #839/40. Now Thank We All Our God
ELW #822. Oh, Sing to the Lord (Cantad al Señor)
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #430. Rejoice, for Christ is King!
ELW #821. Shout to the Lord
ELW #870. We Praise You, O God
WOV #767. All Things Bright and Beautiful
Various Hymnals O come, let us sing to the Lord (1650) from Scottish Psalter
Various Hymnals He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (Unknown) by Anonymous
Various Hymnals My Soul in Stillness Waits (1982) by Marty Haugen
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“10,000 Reasons” By Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman.
“In the Secret” By Andy Park.
“Open The Eyes of My Heart” By Paul Baloche.
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.

Provide faith and courage to the church and it’s leaders, O God, and move us to acts of generosity, mercy, and love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide rest to the earth, O God, and bring spring in its season that the coming summer be bountiful. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide wisdom to the leaders of the nations, O God, and bring peace to all areas experiencing violence and war (especially,…). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide hope to those struggling with despair, O God, and surround the lonely with communities of comfort and kindness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide strength to the sick, O God, and grant them endurance and hope in the midst of their illness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide your Holy Spirit, O God, to this congregation and move us out of our doors to serve our neighbors and craft your loving community. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Provide rest to the saints, O God, and bring us all to our heavenly home where we will know your loving presence. 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.