4th Sunday in Lent NL334: Rich Man & Lazarus

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 21(26)C
Psalm Text: Psalm 41:1-3
Sermon Text: Luke 16:19-31
Other Text Suggestions: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; 1 Timothy 6:6-19
Prayer of the Day (WP): Divine Word, you sent Moses to speak law to the people and bring order to chaos. You sent prophets to speak repentance and bring hope to the hopeless. You sent your son, Jesus, to become your living Word. Open our ears to hear your word, and our hearts to reflect the light of your truth to others, for the sake of the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #757. All My Hope on God Is Founded
ELW #461. All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
ELW #838. Beautiful Savior
ELW #801. Change My Heart, O God
ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #408. Come, Thou Almighty King
ELW #879. For the Beauty of the Earth
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #705. God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #222. Into Paradise May the Angels Lead You
ELW #333. Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land*
ELW #775. Jesus, Priceless Treasure
ELW #768. Lead Me, Guide Me
ELW #523. Let Us Go Now to the Banquet
ELW #750. Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
ELW #712. Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #787. On Eagle’s Wings
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #704. When Pain of the World Surrounds Us
ELW #719. Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
LBW #483. God Moves in a Mysterious Way
TFF #157. God Be with You till We Meet Again
TFF #160. God Be with You
DATH #96. Give It Away
Various Hymnals As Water to the Thirsty (1975) by Timothy Dudley-Smith
Various Hymnals For the Healing of the Nations (1968) by Fred Kaan
Various Hymnals Heaven Shall Not Wait (1987) by John Bell
Various Hymnals Po’ Man Laz’rus (2000) by John Ylvisaker
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship;  LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; TFF=This Far by Faith; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest)
* Lenten Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:

“Micah 6:8” By Charlie Hall.
“Open The Eyes of My Heart” By Paul Baloche.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
 “LEAD US TO PEACE BY YOUR LIGHT”  
“PEOPLE OF HOPE” 
“PEOPLES CHURCH”
“WHAT SHALL I GIVE” 

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.

Watch over your church, O God, and lead us to proclaim your love and grace in the world. Keep your church from apathy and judgement and instill in us a sincere desire to care for all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Watch over creation, O God, and restore all that you have made to wholeness. Work through us to heal waterways of all kinds that all might have clean and abundant water. Work in us and through us to bring healing and wholeness to all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Watch over our leaders, O God, and set their minds and hearts on justice and peace. Bless all those who speak out on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Watch over the brokenhearted, O God, and bring them into beloved community. Grant us the eyes to see the hidden pain that others carry and the hearts to reach out to them in love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Watch over the sick, O God, especially,…. Bless EMTs, doctors, nurses, and all who provide comfort and aid to others. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Watch over this assembly, O God, and keep us in your care. Bless our ministries to the various generations, that it may inspire and equip us for ministry in the world around us. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Watch over the saints, O God, and keep their memory in our minds. Use us as you have used others to share your love and grace with future generations. 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.