Month: February 2021

Worship Resources for March 7, 2021

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3rd Sunday of Lent NL333: Lost Sheep, Coin, Son

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 19(24)C; Lent 4C
Psalm Text: Psalm 119:167-176
Sermon Text: Luke 15:1-32
Other Text Suggestions: Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Prayer of the Day (WP): Rejoicing Father, you celebrate when one of your lost children is found because no one is worthless to you. We stand humbled and in awe that you would count us among your most prized possessions. Give us eyes to see the priceless value of every living soul, for the sake of the one who became human for the sake of our souls, Jesus Christ our seeker. Amen.

Helpful Resources: SermonWriter, TextWeek, RevGalPals, re:Worship, Word&World, BibleHub

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #883. All People That on Earth Do Dwell
ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #816. Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #679. For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW #740. God of the Sparrow
ELW #358. Great God, Your Love Has Called Us*
ELW #619. I Know That My Redeemer Lives!
ELW #650. In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW #592. Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #765. Lord of All Hopefulness
ELW #599. Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #676. Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak
ELW #745. Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright
ELW #782. My Shepherd, You Supply My Need
ELW #460. Now the Silence
ELW #772. Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways
ELW #606. Our Father, We Have Wandered
ELW #789. Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
ELW #608. Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
ELW #502. The King of Love My Shepherd Is
ELW #778. The Lord’s My Shepherd
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #659. Will You Let Me Be Your Servant
LBW #431. Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
Various Hymnals From Ashes to the Living Font (1994) by Alan J. Hommerding
Various Hymnals Heaven Is Singing for Joy (El cielo canta alegría) (1958) by Pablo D. Sosa
Various Hymnals Ring the Bells of Heaven (1866) by W. O. Cushing
Various Hymnals Welcome! Wanderer, Welcome! (1884) by Horatius Bonar
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
* Lenten Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Go Get the Lost One” By Rain for Roots.
“Shine Into Our Night” By Joel Sczebel.
“Undo” By Kevin Huguley, Scott Davis, et al.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMETHING TO OFFER” 
“LIGHT AND LOVE”  
“PEOPLES CHURCH”
“REACH OUT” 
“WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” 

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Beloved friends, in this season of repentance and healing, we accept God’s invitation to be ever-mindful of the needs of others, offering our prayers on behalf of God’s community in the church and the world.

A brief silence.

Rescue the church, O God, from divisions and schisms. Help us to find our unity and joy in your grace and good news. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Find and strengthen those who protect creation, O God. Work in us and through us to bring healing and wholeness to all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help the leaders of countries, O God, to seek out the lost and oppressed. Set our minds on justice and peace that the world may better reflect your kingdom and rule. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Rescue the lost, O God. No matter how or why they may be lost, please bring them into healthy and supportive communities and surround them with love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Find and strengthen those who heal, O God. Work in and through them to share your comfort and healing. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help us, O God, to search for those around us in any sort of need. Open our eyes to your presence in the people around us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

You bring your flock home, O God. Thank you for our heavenly home and for those who have gone before us on the way to it. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill us with your strength to resist the seductions of our foolish desires and the tempter’s vain delights, that we may walk in obedience and righteousness, rejoicing in you with an upright heart. Amen.

Worship Resources for February 28, 2021

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2nd Sunday of Lent NL332: Lament Over Jerusalem

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Lent 3C; Lent 2C
Psalm Text: Psalm 122
Sermon Text: Luke 13:1-9, 31-35
Other Text Suggestions: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1
Prayer of the Day (WP): Holy One of mighty power, your word is powerfully dangerous. Your word casts out demons. Your word heals incurable diseases. Your word devours empires. Your word transforms the fabric of the universe. Help us to stand in awe and fear of what your word is capable of doing. Give us courage to speak your word and wisdom to hear it, for the sake of the one whose very whisper can demolish sin, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Helpful Resources: SermonWriter, TextWeek, RevGalPals, re:Worship, Word&World, BibleHub

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #508. As Rain from the Clouds
ELW #645. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
ELW #733. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW #324. In the Cross of Christ I Glory*
ELW #592. Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #768. Lead Me, Guide Me
ELW #660. Lift High the Cross
ELW #735. Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth
ELW #596/7. My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #831. The God of Abraham Praise
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #613. Thy Holy Wings
ELW #566. When Twilight Comes
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
ELW #484. You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (Gift of Finest Wheat)
LBW #427. O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns Be Rising
Various Hymnals Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (1759) by J. Hart
Various Hymnals From Ashes to the Living Font (1994) by Alan J. Hommerding
Various Hymnals Shelter Me, O God (1984) by Bob Hurd
Various Hymnals You Are My Hiding Place (1981) by Maranatha! Music
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
* Lenten Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:

“Broken” By Michael Himes.
“Death Was Arrested” By Adam Kersh, Brandon Coker, et al.
“God Of The Poor (Beauty For Brokenness)” By Graham Kendrick.
“The Lost are Found” By Ben Fielding, Sam Knock.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“ALL MY RELATIVES”
“BRING YOUR MERCY” 
“DO JUSTICE” 
“LOVE TO THE WORLD” 
“MERCY” 

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Beloved friends, in this season of repentance and healing, we accept God’s invitation to be ever-mindful of the needs of others, offering our prayers on behalf of God’s community in the church and the world.

A brief silence.

For religious communities, that they may share peace, love, and justice with each other and the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the beauty of the earth, that we may be ever more dedicated to protecting and preserving what you have entrusted to us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For governments and leaders of governments, that they may devote themselves to service and compassion towards their citizens. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the lonely and brokenhearted, that they may find support and community and experience your great love for them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who suffer in mind or body, that they may know your presence and find comfort and healing. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For us worshipping together now, that we may go forth from our worship in order to love and serve our neighbors. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

For the saints who now rest in you (especially,…), that we may follow in their footsteps to our eternal home with you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill us with your strength to resist the seductions of our foolish desires and the tempter’s vain delights, that we may walk in obedience and righteousness, rejoicing in you with an upright heart. Amen.

Worship Resources for February 21, 2021

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1st Sunday of Lent NL331: Good Samaritan

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 10(15)C; Proper 11(16)C
Psalm Text: Psalm 15
Sermon Text: Luke 10:25-42
Other Text Suggestions: Amos 7:7-17; Colossians 1:1-14
Prayer of the Day (WP): Compassionate God, how easily you love those who look unlovable to us! How readily you welcome undesirables into your home! How slow we are to follow your example. Turn our hearts toward all who are considered outcast, shunned, and unclean so that we may love our neighbor without pity or apathy, for the sake of the one who became flesh to cleanse the world of sin and death forever, Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen

Helpful Resources: SermonWriter, TextWeek, RevGalPals, re:Worship, Word&World, BibleHub

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #520. Dearest Jesus, at Your Word
ELW #402. Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
ELW #419. For All the Faithful Women
ELW #679. For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW #714. O God of Mercy, God of Light
ELW #708. Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
ELW #696. Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #599. Lord Jesus, Think on Me
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten
ELW #789. Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
ELW #310. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #729. The Church of Christ, in Every Age
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
ELW #725. When the Poor Ones (Cuando el pobre)
ELW #359. Where Charity and Love Prevail
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
LBW #435. O God, Whose Will Is Life and Good
LBW #502. Thee Will I Love, My Strength
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
Various Hymnals Inspired by Love and Anger (1949) by John Bell
Various Hymnals Lo! I Come with Joy (1747) by Charles Wesley
Various Hymnals They Asked, “Who’s My Neighbor?” (1981) by Jan Wesson
Various Hymnals When I Needed a Neighbor (1965) by Sydney Carter
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
* Lenten Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:

“Compassion Hymn” By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, et al.
“God Of The Poor (Beauty For Brokenness)” By Graham Kendrick.
“My Song is Love Unknown” By John Nicholson Ireland, Samuel Crossman.
“Sweetly Broken” By Jeremy Riddle.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“DRAW NEAR” 
“FROM NOW ON” 
“IN GOD’S EYES” 
“JUSTICE MEANS” 
“MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT”
“WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” 

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Beloved friends, in this season of repentance and healing, we accept God’s invitation to be ever-mindful of the needs of others, offering our prayers on behalf of God’s community in the church and the world.

A brief silence.

Teach the church what it means to love and serve our neighbors, keep us from hypocrisy and fear that we may truly see and reach out towards all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach humanity to care for the earth as you care for it, help us to see the interconnectedness of the world and work to preserve what you have entrusted to us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach our leaders the ways of justice and peace, and grant us all the humility to set the welfare of all over our own personal desires. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach us to reach out in love and support to those around us, pursuing loving and edifying relationships and community. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach us how to best love and support those who are suffering in mind body or soul (especially,…) and grant us the courage to care for them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach this assembly how to walk in your ways and how to best serve our communities and neighbors. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

We give you thanks for the teaching of the saints and we pray that we too may sound forth your praise and glory in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill us with your strength to resist the seductions of our foolish desires and the tempter’s vain delights, that we may walk in obedience and righteousness, rejoicing in you with an upright heart. Amen.

Worship Resources for February 14, 2021

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Transfiguration Sunday NL329: Transfiguration

Color: White
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Transfiguration C, Lent 2C
Psalm Text: Psalm 36:5-10
Sermon Text: Luke 9:28-45
Other Text Suggestions: Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Prayer of the Day (WP): Dazzling Lord, in blinding light you showed your disciples a hint of your power and purpose. Reveal yourself to us today. Show us what you desire of us and how to broadcast your love to the world, for the sake of the one who keeps company with the prophets Moses and Elijah, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Helpful Resources: SermonWriter, TextWeek, RevGalPals, re:Worship, Word&World, BibleHub

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #565. All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night
ELW #838. Beautiful Savior
ELW #515. Break Now the Bread of Life
ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #733. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
ELW #632. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
ELW #618. Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer
ELW #315. How Good, Lord, to Be Here!*
ELW #834. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
ELW #658. O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
ELW #335. Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
ELW #317. Jesus on the Mountain Peak*
ELW #841. Lift Every Voice and Sing
ELW #563. O Light Whose Splendor Thrills
ELW #751. O Lord, Hear My Prayer (The Lord Is My Song)
ELW #579. Lord, You Give the Great Commission
ELW #566. When Twilight Comes
ELW #316. Oh, Wondrous Image, Vision Fair*
ELW #787. On Eagle’s Wings
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 #671. Shine, Jesus, Shine
ELW #821. Shout to the Lord
ELW #559. O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright
ELW #667. Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #677. This Little Light of Mine
ELW #613. Thy Holy Wings
ELW #511. Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness
ELW #445. Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
LBW #324. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
WOV #696. I’ve Just Come from the Fountain
Various Hymnals God Is Here Today (1999) by Javier Mateo
Various Hymnals Open the Eyes of My Heart (1997) by Paul Baloche
Various Hymnals Transform Us (1993) by Sylvia Dunstan
Various Hymnals We are standing on holy ground (1983) by Geron Davis
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
* Epiphany/Time After Epiphany Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Be Still And Know” By Steven Curtis Chapman.
“In the Secret” By Andy Park.
“Weak Man” By Ed Cash, Jack Mooring, et al.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“GOD OF STARS AND DISTANT PLANETS”
“HEART OF THE PEOPLE” 
“LOVE CAN BREAK THROUGH” 
“MESSIAH” 
“YOU SET US FREE” 

Prayers of Intercession:

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

O God, as your Son drew apart to be in prayer with you, we offer our prayers for the transformation of the world and the church.

A brief silence.

Glorious Lord, transform your church and turn it into a true reflection of your just and peaceful kingdom here on earth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Glorious Lord, transform creation and restore waterways and forests, oceans and mountains to the great splendor you first formed them to be. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Glorious Lord, transform the nations and the leaders of nations into people that care for one another and work for equity and justice. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Glorious Lord, transform the hearts and minds of any who struggle with mental illness and are burdened with anguish, anxiety, or any other invisible pain. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Glorious Lord, transform the bodies and minds of any who struggle with disease and are burdened with chronic illness, sudden sickness, or any other visible pain. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Glorious Lord, transform the lives of this assembly by turning us ever outwards towards our neighbors. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Glorious Lord, you transformed the lives of countless saints before us, transform our lives too. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You revealed your glory and presence in your beloved Son, Jesus the Christ. In receiving our prayers, reveal the glory and presence of your Spirit alive in the world today, free us from all doubts, and empower us to act as a transfigured people. Amen.