5th Sunday in Lent NL335: Zacchaeus

Color: Purple
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 26(31)C
Psalm Text: Psalm 84:1-4,10-12
Sermon Text: Luke 18:31—19:10
Other Text Suggestions: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Prayer of the Day (WP): Lord of the lost, we are quick to judge and slow to accept those whom we consider lower than ourselves. But you show us the way of acceptance, forgiveness, and peace. We honor your name for teaching us to love, for the sake of the one who is the essence of love itself, Jesus Christ our loving Lord. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #807. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW #358. Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW #740. God of the Sparrow
ELW #673. God, Whose Almighty Word
ELW #678. God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
ELW #239. Hark, the Glad Sound!
ELW #345. Jesus, I Will Ponder Now*
ELW #775. Jesus, Priceless Treasure
ELW #592. Just As I Am, without One Plea
ELW #802. Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
ELW #676. Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak
ELW #343. My Song Is Love Unknown*
ELW #322. Oh, Love How Deep
ELW #351/2. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
ELW #583. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #685. Take My Life, That I May Be
ELW #798. Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)
ELW #510. Word of God, Come Down on Earth
LBW #431. Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
TFF #150. Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior
Various Hymnals Are You the One (1999) by Mary Nelson Keithahn
Various Hymnals I Saw the Rich Ones (Work for a World) (2000) by Pat Mayberry
Various Hymnals Jesus Is Passing This Way (1895) by Fanny Crosby
Various Hymnals Seeking the Lost (1901) by J. A. Lee
Various Hymnals Zacchaeus (1999) by Unkown
(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:

“Humble Thyself In The Sight Of The Lord” By Bob Hudson.
“Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)” By Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, et al.
“Open The Eyes of My Heart” By Paul Baloche. As performed by Sonic Flood.
“Trading My Sorrows” By Darrell Evans.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“DO JUSTICE” 
“EVERYBODY’S GOT SOMETHING TO OFFER” 
“LIGHT AND LOVE”  
“PEOPLES CHURCH”
“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.

Persistent God, you sent your only Son into the world to seek the lost and lift up the downtrodden. Grant your church the vision it needs to see those on the outside of community and to search them out in love and service. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful God, forgive the many ways in which we have harmed what you have made. Work in us and through us to care for all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of all nations, raise up leaders who will pursue your priorities over the priorities of the world. Instill in all people a sincere desire to care for one another and to pursue justice and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Compassionate God, watch over and keep the oppressed and the orphan. Turn our hearts to any who are in need. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Healing God, watch over those in any pain, especially,…. Surround them with comfort and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, strengthen the bonds of love and relationship within this assembly. Use us to proclaim your love and grace into our broken world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Eternal God, we thank you for the saints who have gone before us. May their witness strengthen our proclamation and work. 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.