15th Sunday after Pentecost

Back to the usual Narrative Lectionary readings!

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Lent 1A
Gospel Text: Luke 11:4
Sermon Text: Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8 (Creation & Fall)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19
Prayer of the Day (WP): Lord God, grand architect of the universe, Your design of creation is unflawed. Yet we continue to litter your creation with defects and imperfections. Show us how not to destroy, but to create, not to demean, but to uplift, not to hate, but to love, so that your creation may be made perfect once again. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #504/5. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
ELW #326. Bless Now, O God, the Journey
ELW #684. Creating God, Your Fingers Trace
ELW #605. Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #879. For the Beauty of the Earth
ELW #795. God, My Lord, My Strength
ELW #618. Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer
ELW #788. If God My Lord Be for Me
ELW #325. I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
ELW #336. Lamb of God (Your Only Son)
ELW #545. Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
ELW #808. Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song
ELW #517. Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
ELW #837. Many and Great, O God
ELW #556. Morning Has Broken
ELW #447. O Blessed Spring
ELW #431. O Christ, What Can It Mean for Us
ELW #322. Oh, Love How Deep
ELW #787. On Eagle’s Wings
ELW #606. Our Father, We Have Wandered
ELW #783. Praise and Thanks and Adoration
ELW #544. Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing
ELW #330. Seed That in Earth Is Dying
ELW #814. Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am
ELW #342. There in God’s Garden
ELW #739. Touch the Earth Lightly
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
ELW #861. When Long Before Time
LBW #372. In Adam We Have All Been One
WOV #746. Day by Day
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
W&P #95 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Various Hymnals God, You Spin the Whirling Planets (1978) by Jane Huber
Various Hymnals In the Garden (1913) by C. Austin Miles
Various Hymnals The Love of God (1917) by Frederick Lehman
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“10,000 Reasons” By Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman.
“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Rise Up” As performed by BiFrost Arts.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Creator God, you call us to love and serve you with body, mind, and spirit through loving your creation and our sisters and brothers. Open our hearts in compassion and receive these petitions on behalf of the needs of the church and the world.

A brief silence.

Lord God, bless the church and it ministries: where we are in err, bring repentance; where we are divided, bring reconciliation; and where we are reticent make us bold in our witness to your love and grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bless the good creation that you have made: make us better stewards of the earth; bring healing to damaged places; and open our eyes to see the beauty of all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bless the nations and their leaders: grant humility and wisdom to presidents and prime ministers; grant compassion in our justice system; and shower your peace upon areas of conflict. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bless health care workers and all who provide comfort and healing: keep these workers safe in their vocation; grant wisdom and insight to those working for cures; and bring healing and wholeness to all. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, bless our congregation: strengthen our ministries; deepen our relationships; and turn us ever again towards you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Lord God, bless and keep those who have gone before us in the faith: keep us steadfast in your word; lift up examples of just and faithful living; and unite all your saints in life eternal. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy One, hear our prayers and make us faithful stewards of the fragile bounty of this earth so that we may be entrusted with the riches of heaven. Amen.