Month: December 2019

Worship Resources: January 5, 2020

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Christmas 2/Epiphany Sunday Year 2

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Epiphany 4B, Epiphany 5B, Epiphany 6B
Readings: Jesus’ Ministry Begun – Mark 1:21-45 (Psalm 103:1-5)
Prayer of the Day (Working Preacher): Healing Lord Jesus, you performed miracles that helped followers become aware of your presence and your magnificence. Surprise us today with miracles that we desperately seek, and make your presence known to all. Amen.
Other Resources: WorkingPreacher, re:Worship

Suggested hymns based on the texts:

ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #520. Dearest Jesus, at Your Word
ELW #879. For the Beauty of the Earth
ELW #673. God, Whose Almighty Word
ELW #678. God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
ELW #612. Healer of Our Every Ill
ELW #860. I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me
ELW #751. O Lord, Hear My Prayer (The Lord Is My Song)
ELW #599. Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #765. Lord of All Hopefulness
ELW #712. Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #839/40. Now Thank We All Our God
ELW #886. Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
ELW #842. Oh, Worship the King
ELW #787. On Eagle’s Wings
ELW #249. On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry*
ELW #884/5. Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
ELW #864/5. Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW #843. Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #418. Rejoice in God’s Saints
ELW #310. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
ELW #617. We Come to You for Healing, Lord
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
ELW #785. When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
ELW #798. Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)
ELW #817. You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore (Tú Has Venido a La Orilla)
LBW #431. Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
WOV #798. Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Various Hymnals Bless His Holy Name
Various Hymnals Jesus Christ Is Waiting
Various Hymnals Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit
Various Hymnals Sing of the Lord’s Goodness
Various Hymnals We Cannot Measure How You Heal
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:
“10,000 Reasons” By Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman.
“It Is Well” By Adie Camp, Jeremy Camp.
“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
“We Are” By Chuck Butler, Ed Cash, et al.
More options here.
Prayers of Intercession:

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

God of revelation, as we gather in praise for the gracious mystery of your Son, we remember the many needs of your church and your world.

A brief silence.

Astound the church with the teachings of your mercy and love; renew our faith and trust in your all-encompassing grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Extend your healing to all of creation; move us to greater care for the world that you have entrusted to us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your message of peace and justice heard among all nations; grant us the wisdom to pursue reconciliation and community. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Open our hearts and our communities to truly welcome all; save us from judging and excluding others. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heal the sick (especially,…) and comfort the grieving; turn us towards all who suffer with compassion and love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant us patience with one another; help us to work for blessed and beloved community. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Thank you for the gift of those who spread your message to us; make us bold in our proclamation of your love for the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide us on the path of salvation, O God, that the radiance and power of your Holy Spirit working in the world will gather together all peoples and nations in one community to offer you worship and proclaim your splendor. Amen.

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On Vacation

Posted on by freedfromfreedfor

I generally don’t offer resources for Christmas as there are already plenty out there. I also go on a family vacation from the day after Christmas through New Year’s, so I won’t be providing resources for Dec. 29th. I will resume writing/sharing resources for January 5th. Have a very Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year! I do intend to do my podcast on the Luke 1 text this Wednesday.

Worship Resources: December 22, 2019

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Advent 4 Year 2

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Advent2C, Reign of Christ Year C
Readings: Zechariah’s Song – Luke 1:5-13[14-25], 57-80 (Psalm 113)
Prayer of the Day (Working Preacher): God of the prophets, you sent John into the world to proclaim the coming of your son. Give us ears to hear the proclamations of your promises and eyes to see your presence in this world. Amen.
Other Resources: WorkingPreacher, RevGalBlogPals

Need an Advent Wreath Lighting litany? I have one available here.

Suggested hymns based on the texts:

ELW #250. Blessed Be the God of Israel*
ELW #552. Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #723. Canticle of the Turning
ELW #560. Christ, Mighty Savior
ELW #604. O Christ, Our Hope
ELW #553. Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
ELW #257. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel*
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus*
ELW #288. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice*
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #246. Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!*
ELW #270. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing*
ELW #612. Healer of Our Every Ill
ELW #253. He Came Down*
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #810. O Jesus, I Have Promised
ELW #658. O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
ELW #768. Lead Me, Guide Me
ELW #490. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
ELW #279. O Little Town of Bethlehem*
ELW #435. Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
ELW #272. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming*
ELW #234/5. My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord
ELW #706. The People Walk (Un pueblo que camina)
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten*
ELW #842. Oh, Worship the King
ELW #274. On Christmas Night*
ELW #249. On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry*
ELW #281. Silent Night, Holy Night!*
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #296. What Child Is This*
ELW #424. Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
LBW #2. Blessed Be the Lord*
WOV #646. We Three Kings of Orient Are
Various Hymnals O Come, Divine Messiah (1877) by M. l’abbé Pellegrin
Various Hymnals Mary, First among Believers (2010) by Delores Dufner
Various Hymnals Song of Zechariah (1969) by ames Quinn
Various Hymnals Tell Out, My Soul (1990) by Timothy Dudley-Smith
Various Hymnals Wait for the Lord (1984) by Communauté de Taizé
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:
“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“Come Now Our King” By Chris August, Dave Barnes.
“Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)” By Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash.
More options here.
Prayers of Intercession:

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

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

Look with favor upon your church, Lord God, and redeem it from apathy, selfishness, and judgementalism. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look with favor upon resting fields, Lord God, and redeem creation from the damage we have inflicted upon it. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look with favor upon the nations, Lord God, and redeem them from ways of violence and greed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look with favor upon the lonely, Lord God, and bring them into blessed and beloved community. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look with favor upon the sick, Lord God, and redeem all who suffer from their pain and despair. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look with favor upon those gathered here today, Lord God, and redeem us from all the ways of sin that draw us from you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Look with favor upon the saints in light, Lord God, and redeem all people through the love and grace of your Son. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please consider helping to defray the costs associated with running this site (primarily server space). Thank you!

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Worship Resources: December 15, 2019

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Advent 3 Year 2

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): N/A
Readings: Rebuilding the Temple – Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13 (Luke 2:25-32)
Prayer of the Day (Working Preacher): God of restoration, you brought your people home from exile and in their joy they rebuilt your temple. Deliver us from our personal and communal exiles, and help us to build up your church. Amen.
Other Resources: WorkingPreacher, re:Worship, RevGalBlogPals

Need an Advent Wreath Lighting litany? I have one available here.

Suggested hymns based on the texts:

ELW #641. All Are Welcome
ELW #883. All People That on Earth Do Dwell
ELW #275. Angels, from the Realms of Glory*
ELW #242. Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn*
ELW #452. Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death
ELW #303. Brightest and Best of the Stars
ELW #645. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
ELW #245. Creator of the Stars of Night*
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus*
ELW #300. The First Noel*
ELW #268. From Heaven Above*
ELW #848. Give to Our God Immortal Praise!
ELW #536. God Be with You Till We Meet Again
ELW #705. God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #288. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice*
ELW #270. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing*
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #297. Jesus, What a Wonderful Child*
ELW #490. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
ELW #272. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming*
ELW #545. Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
ELW #313. O Lord, Now Let Your Servant
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten*
ELW #640. Our Father, by Whose Name
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #430. Rejoice, for Christ is King!
ELW #263. Savior of the Nations, Come*
ELW #281. Silent Night, Holy Night!*
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #284. ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime*
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
ELW #296. What Child Is This*
ELW #792. When Memory Fades
ELW #785. When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)
LBW #521. Let Us with a Gladsome Mind
WOV #638. Holy Child Within the Manger (Carol at the Manger)
WOV #639. Oh, Sleep Now, Holy Baby
WOV #634. Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly*
Various Hymnals Faithful Vigil Ended (1969) by Timothy Dudley-Smith
Various Hymnals Now Let Your Servant Go (1992) by Ruth Duck
Various Hymnals Song of Simeon (1976) by Dewey Westra
Various Hymnals We Are a People (2011) by Jonathan Nowell
Various Hymnals You’re Calling Us (2008) by Graham Kendrick
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:
“Born That We May Have Life” By Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, et al.
“Build Your Kingdom Here” By Rend Collective Experiment.
“Spirit Of The Living God” By Daniel Iverson.
More options here.
Prayers of Intercession:

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

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

For the church and its leaders; that this season of waiting and preparation also be one of powerful witness to the grace and mercy of God at work in the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all of creation, especially the soil and water; that we, as stewards, may be good stewards for all that God has made. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the nations of the world; that God’s peace and justice may have primacy over human selfishness and greed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all those living in darkness of any sort; that the light of Christ may offer them hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who are suffering, especially…; that the healing power of God flow in and through them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this assembly gathered in worship; that we may depart from this place as agents of God’s grace and love for the sake of our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

For all the saints who have gone before us; that we we may, one day, join them in praising God’s wondrous love for all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please consider helping to defray the costs associated with running this site (primarily server space). Thank you!

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