Matthew (Summer Series)

I am using the sundaysandseasons.com resources for prayers and am not writing my own. I will still list hymn suggestions and other resources for any others thinking about using this summer series.

Festival Day: July 25
Color: Red or Green
Readings: Ephesians 2:4-10; Matthew 9:9-13
Resources: anglican.com, satucket.com, Wikipedia

Tax collectors were agents of the oppressive empire, and they also had a reputation for extorting more than they had to collect. Jesus’ calling Matthew to follow him showed that Jesus not only associated with “bad guys,” he welcomed them into his inner circle. His sharing a meal with Matthew and other tax collectors and “sinners” was an enacted parable of the mercy of God. The meal we share at Jesus’ table is to be such a parable too.

Suggested hymns based on the texts:

ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #522. As We Gather at Your Table
ELW #416. At the Name of Jesus
ELW #421. By All Your Saints (esp. v. 20)
ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #816. Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
ELW #247. Come Now, O Prince of Peace
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #848. Give to Our God Immortal Praise!
ELW #358. Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW #806. O God, My Faithful God
ELW #705. God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #678. God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
ELW #664. Heaven Is Singing for Joy
ELW #582. Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #592. Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #759. My Faith Looks Up to Thee
ELW #379. Now the Green Blade Rises
ELW #623. Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
ELW #351/2. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
ELW #590. Salvation unto Us Has Come
ELW #583. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #685. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #798. Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)
LBW #298. One There Is, above All Others
WOV #669. Come Away to the Skies
WOV #793. Shout for Joy Loud and Long
Various Hymnals Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (1759) by Joseph Hart
Various Hymnals The Master Came to Bring Good News (1965) by Ralph Finn
Various Hymnals To avert from men God’s wrath (1410) by Jan Hus
Various Hymnals You Have Passed By (1971) by Huub Oosterhuis
Various Hymnals Your Grace Is Enough (2003) by Matt Maher
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options: