Month: May 2019

Worship Resources: June 9, 2019

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Pentecost Sunday Year 1

Color: Red
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Pentecost A/B/C, Proper 11(16)A
Readings: Nothing Can Separate Us Sermon text Acts 2:1-4; Romans 8:14-39 – Companion text – Matthew 28:16-20
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Great Spirit, you have lit upon each of us a flame to serve you in all that we do. Ignite your flame, and help us to burn brightly for you. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #392. Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
ELW #505. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
ELW #456. Baptized in Water
ELW #638. Blessed Assurance
ELW #656. Blest Be the Tie That Binds
ELW #781. Children of the Heavenly Father
ELW #373. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
ELW #804. Come Down, O Love Divine
ELW #521. O Day of Rest and Gladness
ELW #520. Dearest Jesus, at Your Word
ELW #432. The Head That Once Was Crowned
ELW #619. I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
ELW #650. In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW #365. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
ELW #595. Jesus Loves Me!
ELW #775. Jesus, Priceless Treasure
ELW #403. Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #832. My Lord of Light
ELW #622. Neither Death nor Life
ELW #322. Oh, Love How Deep
ELW #669. Rise Up, O Saints of God!
ELW #671. Shine, Jesus, Shine
ELW #549. Send Me, Jesus
ELW #809. Send Me, Lord (Thuma mina)
ELW #396. Spirit of Gentleness
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #587. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #588. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #376. Thine Is the Glory
LBW #488. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
WOV #682. Praise the Spirit in Creation
WOV #686. Veni Sancte Spiritus
Various Hymnals For Your Gift of God the Spirit (1984) by Edith Clarkson
Various Hymnals I Am His, and He Is Mine (1890) Wade Robinson
Various Hymnals On Pentecost They Gathered (1981) by Jane Parker Huber
Various Hymnals Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow (1983) by Thomas Troeger
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #729. The Church of Christ, in Every Age
ELW #540. Go, Make Disciples
ELW #674. Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
ELW #513. Listen, God Is Calling
ELW #676. Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak
ELW #712. Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #579. Lord, You Give the Great Commission
ELW #763. My Life Flows On in Endless Song
ELW #665. Rise, Shine, You People!
ELW #547. Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
ELW #576. We All Are One in Mission
Various Hymnals Freely, Freely (1972) by Carol Owens
Various Hymnals Go to the World! (1991) by Sylvia Dunstan
Various Hymnals “How Shall They Hear,” Who Have Not Heard (1984) by Timothy Dudley-Smith
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Better Is One Day” By Matt Redman.
“Everlasting God” By Brenton Brown, Ken Riley.
“More Than Conquerors”
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Empowering God, you gave the church the abiding presence of your Holy Spirit. Look upon your church today and hear our petitions.

A brief silence.

Send your Spirit upon the church and its leaders, O God, and fill us with hope and confidence in the victory of Christ over sin and death. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send your Spirit upon the earth and its creatures, O God, and renew creation with your vibrant and sustaining life. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send your Spirit upon our leaders and systems, O God, and instill in them a fervent desire for peace and justice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send your Spirit upon those suffering in spirit, O God, and wrap them in your loving and caring embrace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send your Spirit upon those suffering in body, O God, and grant them healing, hope, and wholeness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send your Spirit upon this assembly, O God, and send us out into the world to proclaim your love and grace to all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Send your Spirit upon all generations of the faithful, O God, and unite us all around your heavenly throne. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that, gathered and directed by your Spirit, we may confess Christ as Lord and combine our diverse gifts with a singular passion to continue his mission in this world until we join in your eternal praise. Amen.

Fair Warning!!

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The pastors in my area who use the Narrative Lectionary typically do our own thing for the summer. This year we’ve chosen the theme “Unsung Heroes,” below you will find the readings we will be using. This does mean you may not find my blog all that useful during the summer. But I will resume using the regular NL texts come September!

6/16 Enoch – Gen 5:1-2,18-24; Hebrews 11:1-3,5-6
6/23 Melchizedek – Gen 14:17-20; Hebrews 7:11-19
6/30 Balaam’s Donkey – Numbers 22:1-6,21-35
7/7 Deborah and Jael – Judges 4:1-9,21-35
7/14 Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai – 2 Sam 16:15-19; 17:15-17,21b-22,27-29
7/21 Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 20:5-23,29-30
7/28 King Lemuel’s Mother – Proverbs 31:1-9
8/4 Nahum – Nahum 1:1-15
8/11 The Woman Caught in Adultery – John 8:2-11
8/18 Barnabas – Acts 4:32-37; 9:26-31
8/25 Priscilla and Aquila – Acts 18:1-4,18-21,24-28
9/1 Titus – 2 Cor 7:1-7,13b-16; 8:16-24

Worship Resources: June 2, 2019

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Easter 7 Year 1

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 7(12)A
Readings: Hope of Resurrection Sermon text Romans 6:1-14 – Companion text – Matthew 6:24
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of resurrection, you have promised new life to all who believe. Make us believers, and show us how to live into this new life. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #442. All Who Believe and Are Baptized
ELW #416. At the Name of Jesus
ELW #456. Baptized in Water
ELW #447. O Blessed Spring
ELW #732. Borning Cry
ELW #652. Built on a Rock
ELW #609. Chief of Sinners Though I Be
ELW #389. Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing
ELW #373. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
ELW #654. The Church’s One Foundation
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #363. Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
ELW #361. The Day of Resurrection!
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #619. I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
ELW #365. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
ELW #810. O Jesus, I Have Promised
ELW #660. Lift High the Cross
ELW #328. Restore in Us, O God
ELW #497. Strengthen for Service, Lord
ELW #366. The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done
ELW #583. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #685. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #814. Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am
ELW #448. This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now
ELW #445. Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
ELW #451. We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus
ELW #449. We Know That Christ Is Raised
ELW #666. What Wondrous Love Is This
ELW #211. You Have Put On Christ
WOV #671. Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
Various Hymnals Christians, Lift Up Your Hearts (1980) by John Bowers
Various Hymnals Now Let Us from This Table Rise (1968) by Fred Kaan
Various Hymnals Planted in Christ, the living vine () by Samuel Francis Smith
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #589. All Depends on Our Possessing
ELW #881. Let All Things Now Living
ELW #824. This Is My Father’s World
ELW #262. Wait for the Lord
ELW #680. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
ELW #681. We Plow the Fields and Scatter
WOV #767. All Things Bright and Beautiful
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Various Hymnals Christ Is the World’s Light (1968) by Fred Pratt Green
Various Hymnals God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall () by Maria Straub
Various Hymnals In holy contemplation () by William Cowper
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” By Chris Tomlin, John Newton, et al.
“In Christ Alone” By Stuart Townend, Keith Getty.
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.

Where the church is broken, O God, bring healing, hope, and resurrection. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Where creation is suffering, O God, restore it to wholeness and glory. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Where systems lead to injustice, O God, raise leaders who will advocate for justice and equality. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Where relationships are broken, O God, bring forgiveness and reconciliation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Where people are in pain, O God, bring comfort and endurance. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Where we are turned inward, O God, open our eyes to your presence in the world around us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Where we are tempted to stray, O God, keep us on the way of all the saints before us, the way of Christ. 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.

Worship Resources: May 26, 2019

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Easter 6 Year 1

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Lent 3A
Readings: God’s Love Poured Out Sermon text Romans [3:28-30] 5:1-11 – Companion text – Matthew 11:28-30
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Gracious God, you have welcomed all people into your kingdom. Remove from us the barriers that we build to keep people from you, so that all might live in your grace and peace. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #337. Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #804. Come Down, O Love Divine
ELW #855. Crown Him with Many Crowns
ELW #594. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
ELW #856. How Great Thou Art
ELW #450. I Bind unto Myself Today
ELW #324. In the Cross of Christ I Glory
ELW #674. Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
ELW #407. O Living Breath of God
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #759. My Faith Looks Up to Thee
ELW #596/7. My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
ELW #343. My Song Is Love Unknown
ELW #322. Oh, Love How Deep
ELW #651. Oh, Praise the Gracious Power
ELW #623. Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
ELW #590. Salvation unto Us Has Come
ELW #351/2. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #511. Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness
ELW #666. What Wondrous Love Is This
ELW #785. When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)
Various Hymnals Because He Died and Is Risen (1980) by Michael Baughen
Various Hymnals My heart looks in faith to the Lamb divine () by Zhao Zichen
Various Hymnals Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? () by Edward Bickersteth
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW #332. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
ELW #611. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
ELW #434. Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #592. Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #599. Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #765. Lord of All Hopefulness
ELW #608. Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Various Hymnals Come to Me, O Weary Traveler (1991) by Sylvia G. Dunstan
Various Hymnals Come to the Water (1978) by John B. Foley
Various Hymnals Jesus Is Calling () by Fanny Crosby
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Come Let Us Worship” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves.
“Mighty to Save” By Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan.
“More Than Conquerors”
“My Lighthouse” As performed by Rend collective
“Our God” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, et al.
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.

Pour your love on the church, O God; and make us bold in our proclamation of reconciliation found in the blood of Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour your love on fields and streams, oceans and mountains, O God; and move us to work for the healing of all creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour your love on the nations, O God; and bring your love to bear on our systems of justice and government that all might know peace and prosperity. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour your love on those who are despairing, O God; and show us how best to offer comfort and hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour your love on the sick, O God (especially,…); and bring peace and comfort to the dying. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour your love on this assembly, O God; and deepen our faith and trust in your eternal promises of life and salvation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Pour your love on all the saints, O God; and keep us on the path they have trod, the path that leads to light eternal with them and with you. 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.

Worship Resources: May 19, 2019

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Easter 5 Year 1

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Advent 4A
Readings: Gospel as Salvation Sermon text Romans 1:1-17 – Companion text – Matthew 9:10-13
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of all humanity, you welcomed all–sinners and saints–into your kingdom. Help us to be as welcoming and accepting as you. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #516. Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast
ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #656. Blest Be the Tie That Binds
ELW #408. Come, Thou Almighty King
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #856. How Great Thou Art
ELW #450. I Bind unto Myself Today
ELW #661. I Love to Tell the Story
ELW #834. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
ELW #324. In the Cross of Christ I Glory
ELW #545. Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
ELW #767. Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
ELW #759. My Faith Looks Up to Thee
ELW #570. Now the Day Is Over
ELW #886. Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
ELW #651. Oh, Praise the Gracious Power
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #511. Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness
ELW #659. Will You Let Me Be Your Servant
Various Hymnals God of the prophets! (1884) by Denis Wortman
Various Hymnals Make Me a Servant (1982) by Kelly Willard
Various Hymnals We Have a Gospel to Proclaim (1968) by Edward Burns
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #522. As We Gather at Your Table
ELW #416. At the Name of Jesus
ELW #420/1. By All Your Saints
ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #816. Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
WOV #793. Shout for Joy Loud and Long
Various Hymnals Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (1759) by Joseph Hart
Various Hymnals The Kingdom of God Is Justice and Joy (1972) by Bryn Rees
Various Hymnals The Master Came to Bring Good News (1965) by Ralph Finn
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Grace Wins” As performed by Matthew West.
“Not Ashamed” By Jeremy Camp, Jon Egan.
“We Are Called” By David Haas.
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.

For the church; that we may never be ashamed of the Gospel, but rather be bold in our proclamation of God’s love for all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the planting season; that farmers and laborers be kept safe and the the coming harvest be an abundant sign of God’s providence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our leaders; that the people of all nations know the justice, mercy, and peace that comes from our Creator. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For any who are without community; that they may find relationship and connection that brings them the peace of God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the sick (especially,…); that they may know the healing presence of God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this congregation; that we may live by our faith in God’s eternal promises. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

For all the saints, of every time and place; that their witness may strengthen our own and that we may all, one day, join with God in eternal light. 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.