Gospel Text: Luke 23:1-5
Sermon Text: Daniel 6:6-27 (Daniel’s Hope in God)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 25, Romans 5:1-8
Prayer of the Day (WP): God of deliverance, you rescued Daniel from the mouths of the lions when he was punished for worshiping you. Liberate all who are endangered for the sake of their faith, and rescue us from anything that separates us from worshiping only you, for the sake of the one who made your name known to all people, across land and seas, Jesus Christ, our redeemer. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Month: November 2020
Worship Resources: December 6, 2020
2nd Sunday of Advent (NL314)
Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Ash Wednesday A/B/C, Proper 25(30)C
Gospel Text: Luke 11:13
Sermon Text: Joel 2:12-13, 28-29 (Joel: God’s Promised Spirit)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 65, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Prayer of the Day (WP): Loving Lord, when we have strayed, you have called us to come home to you. “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.” With all our hearts we return to you, and gratefully accept your gentle love, for the sake of the one whose spirit lives in us, Jesus Christ our loving savior. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:
ELW #641. All Are Welcome
ELW #793. Be Thou My Vision
ELW #283. O Come, All Ye Faithful*
ELW #256. Comfort, Comfort Now My People*
ELW #402. Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
ELW #605. Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #740. God of the Sparrow
ELW #734. God, Whose Farm Is All Creation
ELW #398. Holy Spirit, Truth Divine
ELW #620. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
ELW #658. O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
ELW #754. Jesus, the Very Thought of You
ELW #876. Let the Whole Creation Cry
ELW #752. Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
ELW #745. Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright
ELW #243. Lost in the Night*
ELW #397. Loving Spirit
ELW #864/5. Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW #310. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
ELW #396. Spirit of Gentleness
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #889. The Right Hand of God
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
LBW #488. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
LBW #462. God the Omnipotent!
WOV #615. Return to the Lord
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Various Hymnals Come, Holy Spirit, Descend on us (1995) by John Bell
Various Hymnals Led by the Spirit (1996) by Bob Hurd
Various Hymnals Return to God (1991) by Marty Haugen
Various Hymnals Sing a New Church (1991) by Delores Dufner OSB
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
* Advent Hymns
Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:
“Come Let Us Return” By Matt Redman.
“Come Let Us Worship” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves.
“Love Has Come” By Brown Bannister, Mark Schultz, et al.
“You Never Let Go” By Beth Redman, Matt Redman.
More contemporary suggestions 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.
Pour your spirit upon the church, O Lord, grant us patience as we await your coming again and strengthen our trust in your eternal promises. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Pour your spirit upon creation, O Lord, renew the waters and the earth and move us to nurture all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Pour your spirit upon the nations, O Lord, bring wholeness and healing to our broken systems of justice and power. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Pour your spirit upon all peoples, O Lord, help us to find joy and blessing in the great diversity you have given to the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Pour your spirit upon those in pain, O Lord, grant healing, comfort, and hope to those suffering from disease of any sort. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Pour your spirit upon this assembly, O Lord, comfort those who are alone or grieving in this season and use us to surround one another with your love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
You poured your spirit upon the saints, O Lord, we pray that their example strengthen our work and our lives of faith. 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.
Episode 45 – A New Covenant
Gospel Text: Luke 22:19-20
Sermon Text: Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; then 31:31-34
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10
Prayer of the Day (WP): God, whose fondness for humanity knows no limit, write your word upon our hearts, so that we need no scroll, no book, no script to know that you love us. Show us the power of your covenant, that you will be faithful to us, even when we fail to remain faithful to you. For the beauty of your word inscribed upon us, we pray, in the name of the one whose body and blood became your new covenant with us, Jesus Christ, our redeemer. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, SermonWriter, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Worship Resources: November 29, 2020
1st Sunday of Advent (NL313)
Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): N/A
Gospel Text: Luke 23:1-5
Sermon Text: Daniel 6:6-27 (Daniel’s Hope in God)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 25, Romans 5:1-8
Prayer of the Day (WP): God of deliverance, you rescued Daniel from the mouths of the lions when he was punished for worshiping you. Liberate all who are endangered for the sake of their faith, and rescue us from anything that separates us from worshiping only you, for the sake of the one who made your name known to all people, across land and seas, Jesus Christ, our redeemer. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:
ELW #337. Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
ELW #250. Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #354. Calvary (Every Time I Think about Jesus)
ELW #662. Christ is the King!
ELW #339. Christ, the Life of All the Living
ELW #245. Creator of the Stars of Night
ELW #347. Go to Dark Gethsemane
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #616. Jesus, Remember Me
ELW #343. My Song Is Love Unknown
ELW #322. Oh, Love How Deep
ELW #418. Rejoice in God’s Saints
ELW #623. Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
ELW #667. Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
ELW #569. The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Has Ended
ELW #320. The Glory of These Forty Days (vv.3-4)
ELW #803. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
ELW #825. You Servants of God
WOV #671. Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks
Various Hymnals Dare to Be a Daniel (1873) by P. P. Bliss
Various Hymnals God, We Pray at This Beginning (1992) by Christopher Redmond
Various Hymnals Las primicias del día (1980) by Brus del Monte
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)
Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:
“Better Is One Day” By Matt Redman.
“Let Our Faith Be Not Alone” By Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, et al.
“More Than Conquerors” As performed by Rend collective.
“You Are Good” By Israel Houghton.
More contemporary suggestions 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.
God, we pray that you deliver the church from hypocrisy, timidity, and judgmentalism; increase our trust in your Spirit, active in our words and deeds. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, we pray that you deliver creation from exploitation and destruction; lift up advocates and protectors of the wild places of the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, we pray that you deliver the nations from violence and injustice; grant wisdom and compassion to all leaders of tribes and peoples. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, we pray that you deliver those battling loneliness and fear; help us to see the hidden needs of our neighbors and to reach out in love and grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, we pray that you deliver those enduring illness and disease; rain down your healing power upon all those who need it. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, we pray that you deliver us from apathy and lethargy; grant us boldness of speech and action on behalf of the Gospel. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God, we give you thanks for all those who have gone before us and whose lives have proven your great faithfulness and deliverance. 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.
Episode 44 – God Calls Isaiah
Gospel Text: Luke 5:8-10
Sermon Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 (God Calls Isaiah)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 29, Romans 8:12-17
Prayer of the Day (WP): King of heaven and earth, as you cleansed Isaiah with a coal of fire to prepare him for proclaiming your word to the world, prepare us, so that we may know your bidding and carry out our callings with eagerness and urgency. Show the world greatness that cannot be contained any more than smoke or fire can be caught, in the name of the one who sacrificed everything to carry out your commands, Jesus Christ our sanctifier. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, SermonWriter, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Worship Resources: November 22, 2020
Christ the King Sunday (NL312)
Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Lent 5B
Gospel Text: Luke 22:19-20
Sermon Text: Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28; then 31:31-34
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 51:1-12; Hebrews 5:5-10
Prayer of the Day (WP): God, whose fondness for humanity knows no limit, write your word upon our hearts, so that we need no scroll, no book, no script to know that you love us. Show us the power of your covenant, that you will be faithful to us, even when we fail to remain faithful to you. For the beauty of your word inscribed upon us, we pray, in the name of the one whose body and blood became your new covenant with us, Jesus Christ, our redeemer. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, SermonWriter, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:
ELW #634. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
ELW #565. All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night
ELW #557. Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun
ELW #625. Come, We That love the Lord (We’re Marching to Zion)
ELW #607. Come, Ye Disconsolate
ELW #693. Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
ELW #256. Comfort, Comfort Now My People
ELW #711. O Day of Peace
ELW #605. Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #749. O God of Love, O King of Peace
ELW #239. Hark, the Glad Sound!
ELW #483. Here Is Bread
ELW #595. Jesus Loves Me!
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #556. Morning Has Broken
ELW #863. My God, How Wonderful Thou Art
ELW #864/5. Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW #423. Shall We Gather at the River
ELW #502. The King of Love My Shepherd Is
ELW #778. The Lord’s My Shepherd
ELW #487. What Feast of Love
ELW #566. When Twilight Comes
LBW #488. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
LBW #324. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Various Hymnals Everlasting Love (1880) by Mary James
Various Hymnals Grant to Us, O Lord (1973) by Lucien Deiss
Various Hymnals Help Us, O Lord, to Learn (1959) by William Reid
Various Hymnals Womb of Life (1992) by Ruth Duck
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:
“Behold The Lamb (Communion Hymn)” By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, et al.
“Mighty to Save” By Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan.
“Sing Sing Sing” By Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, et al.
More contemporary suggestions here.
Prayers of Intercession:
(Introduction and Conclusion from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002)
God of life, we praise you for your abiding presence from generation to generation, blessing your people, strengthening us to lives of service, empowering us to witness. Hear the prayers we offer on behalf of your creation.
A brief silence.
Lord, fill the church with your law of love and make us your people, people freed to love and serve our neighbors. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, renew the earth and all that is in it, fashion our hearts with love for you and love for the glorious creation you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, write your statutes on the hearts of our leaders, help them to see the primacy of your justice and your peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, comfort the suffering and brokenhearted, grant that our suffering bring us closer in love and hope to those in pain. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, restore your people (especially,…), send out your healing and comfort on those battling illness and disease. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, remember our sin no more and keep us steadfast in your way of love and service. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Lord, keep us mindful of the saints who have gone before us, spread your love and grace from generation to generation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant that as we serve you now on earth, so we may one day rejoice with all the saints in your kingdom of light and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Episode 43 – Jonah & God’s Mercy
Gospel Text: Luke 18:13
Sermon Text: Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10 [4:1-11] (Jonah & God’s Mercy)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30
Prayer of the Day (WP): God of the seas, sky, and land, when Jonah turned to run from you, you showed him that nothing and no one could hide from your presence. You are in all things, and you love all things. Show us the gift of your presence, and help us to carry your word of compassion and grace to all the world, in the name of the one who carried out your love flawlessly, Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, SermonWriter, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Worship Resources: November 15, 2020
Proper 28 (33) (NL311)
Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Trinity Sunday B
Gospel Text: Luke 5:8-10
Sermon Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 (God Calls Isaiah)
Other Text Suggestions: Psalm 29, Romans 8:12-17
Prayer of the Day (WP): King of heaven and earth, as you cleansed Isaiah with a coal of fire to prepare him for proclaiming your word to the world, prepare us, so that we may know your bidding and carry out our callings with eagerness and urgency. Show the world greatness that cannot be contained any more than smoke or fire can be caught, in the name of the one who sacrificed everything to carry out your commands, Jesus Christ our sanctifier. Amen.
Helpful Resources: re:Worship, revgalblog, SermonWriter, TextWeek, Word&World, BibleHub
Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:
ELW #634. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
ELW #838. Beautiful Savior
ELW #854. Blessing and Honor
ELW #728. Blest Are They
ELW #804. Come Down, O Love Divine
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #855. Crown Him with Many Crowns
ELW #521. O Day of Rest and Gladness
ELW #401. Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #414. Holy God, We Praise Your Name
ELW #413. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
ELW #473. Holy, Holy, Holy (Santo, santo, santo)
ELW #580. How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
ELW #450. I Bind unto Myself Today
ELW #834. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
ELW #630. In Heaven Above
ELW #868. Isaiah in a Vision Did of Old
ELW #529. Jesus, We Are Gathered
ELW #836. Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
ELW #490. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
ELW #876. Let the Whole Creation Cry
ELW #475. Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
ELW #558. Lord God, We Praise You
ELW #527. Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
ELW #676. Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak
ELW #818. O Master, Let Me Walk with You
ELW #863. My God, How Wonderful Thou Art
ELW #842. Oh, Worship the King
ELW #884/5. Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
ELW #823. Praise the Lord! O Heavens
ELW #430. Rejoice, for Christ is King!
ELW #873/4. Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!
ELW #549. Send Me, Jesus
ELW #809. Send Me, Lord (Thuma mina)
ELW #671. Shine, Jesus, Shine
ELW #497. Strengthen for Service, Lord
ELW #583. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #685. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #831. The God of Abraham Praise
ELW #798. Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)
ELW #424. Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
LBW #381. Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling
LBW #547. Thee We Adore, Eternal Lord!
Various Hymnals God, We Praise You! (1978) by Christopher Idle
Various Hymnals Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old (1982) by Joy Patterson
Various Hymnals Sing to the Mountains (1979) by Robert Dufford
Various Hymnals The Voice of God Is Calling (1913) by John Holmes
(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.
“God is Great” By Marty Sampson.
“Sending” By Charlie Hall, Nathan Nockels, et al.
“You are Holy” By Per Harling.
More contemporary suggestions here.
Prayers of Intercession:
(Introduction and Conclusion from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002)
God of life, we praise you for your abiding presence from generation to generation, blessing your people, strengthening us to lives of service, empowering us to witness. Hear the prayers we offer on behalf of your creation.
A brief silence.
Lord, send your church out into the world to proclaim your glory and practice your self-sacrificial love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, send us out into your creation with hearts of care and a deep desire to protect what you have some wonderfully made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, send us leaders who will protect the widow, the orphan, and the resident alien. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, send your spirit of hope into the lives of those who are despairing and help them to know you presence. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, send your healing spirit upon all who are suffering or in any pain, bring them your wholeness and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, blot out our sin and send us forth into the world to bear witness to your activity in our lives and in the world around us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Lord, we give you thanks for the saints you have sent to us and we pray that you will use us our witness to others too. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant that as we serve you now on earth, so we may one day rejoice with all the saints in your kingdom of light and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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