Easter 4 Year 1

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): N/A
Readings: Paul’s Mission Sermon text Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-18 – Companion text – Matthew 10:40-42
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of all, you opened your gates wide to receive all your children into the heavenly kingdom. Help us to be vehicles of promise and proclamation for all who will listen, so that every soul might live in your grace. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #420/1. By All Your Saints
ELW #662. Christ is the King!
ELW #478. Father, We Thank You
ELW #679. For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW #564. God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven
ELW #734. God, Whose Farm Is All Creation
ELW #545. Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
ELW #599. Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #579. Lord, You Give the Great Commission
ELW #241. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
ELW #672. Signs and Wonders
ELW #497. Strengthen for Service, Lord
ELW #614. There Is a Balm in Gilead
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
ELW #725. When the Poor Ones (Cuando el pobre)
LBW #190. We Praise You, Lord
LBW #431. Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
WOV #659. O Sun of Justice
Various Hymnals Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go (1987) by James Quinn
Various Hymnals God in His Love for Us (1973) by Fred Green
Various Hymnals Paul, Preacher of the Word (1994) by Bertus Polman
Various Hymnals Praise Our God Above (1931) by Zhao Zichen
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #678. God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #810. O Jesus, I Have Promised
ELW #667. Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
Various Hymnals Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands (1926) by Margaret Cropper
Various Hymnals Let Your Heart Be Broken (1975) by Bryan Leech
Various Hymnals There’s a Spirit in the Air (1969) by Brian Wren
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Awesome God” By Rich Mullins.
“Breath Of God” By Vicky Beeching.
“Rising” By Matt Redman, Paul Baloche.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world to God who raised Jesus to new life.

A brief silence.

Make the church a more welcoming church, O God, and help us to better meet people where they are and accompany them in your name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring about a fruitful season, O God, and may we see the glory of creation and praise your generous and creative power. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Reform our systems of power, O God, and move us to acts of justice, mercy, and hospitality. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant us confidence, O God, that we may proclaim your good news to all the corners of the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heal the sick, O God, and grant wisdom and insight to those working to find cures and treatments for diseases. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Set us apart for your work, O God, that we may leave this place ready to work for your will and your word in the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Bring your kingdom near, O God, and join us with all the saints who have gone before in light eternal. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Through the resurrection of your son, O God, you destroy the power of death and remove your people’s shame. By the power of the Spirit, raise us from sin and seat us at the paschal feast, that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation Jesus has won for us. Amen.