Month: May 2021

Summer Series Options

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Over the years I’ve done the Narrative Lectionary I have generally joined with colleagues in my area to do our own thing in the summers. The Working Preacher suggestion for this summer is a series on Jeremiah. Below are some of the series I’ve been a part of over the years.

The summer of 2020 our little group put together a series on Commemorations. We generally tried to have each Sunday tied to a commemoration that was for a nearby time, but that wasn’t always possible. You can find that series here: https://freedfromfreedfor.org/2020/05/26/2020-summer-series/

For the summer of 2019 we did a series on “Unsung Heroes of Scripture,” you can find that series here:
https://freedfromfreedfor.org/2019/05/26/fair-warning/

Way back in 2018 our series was on “Women of Scripture,” which can be found here: https://freedfromfreedfor.org/2018/05/17/what-were-doing-for-the-summer/

You can check out the posts from those summers to see what sorts of resources I supplied for them. You can also try clicking the “summer” tags that can be found at the bottom of this post. Please feel free to use any of these or adapt them as suits your purposes!

Worship Resources for May 23, 2021

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Pentecost Sunday NL346: Pentecost; Fruits of the Spirit

Color: Red
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Pentecost A/B/C; Holy Name of Jesus A/B/C; Proper 8(13)C
Gospel Text: Luke 11:11-13
Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 4:1-7 [5:16-26]
Other Text Suggestions: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 16
Prayer of the Day (WP): Abba, Father, you have adopted us as heirs of your kingdom and we have inherited the gift and presence of the Holy Spirit. Through the fire of the Spirit make us generous givers of all that you have bestowed upon us, for the sake of the one whose fire brings light and life to all the world, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #392. Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
ELW #638. Blessed Assurance
ELW #654. The Church’s One Foundation
ELW #804. Come Down, O Love Divine
ELW #627. O Day Full of Grace
ELW #521. O Day of Rest and Gladness
ELW #594. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
ELW #478. Father, We Thank You
ELW #679. For the Fruit of All Creation
ELW #848. Give to Our God Immortal Praise!
ELW #748. O God in Heaven
ELW #705. God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #401. Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading
ELW #253. He Came Down
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #582. Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW #398. Holy Spirit, Truth Divine
ELW #575. In Christ Called to Baptize
ELW #650. In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW #490. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
ELW #403. Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
ELW #765. Lord of All Hopefulness
ELW #397. Loving Spirit
ELW #343. My Song Is Love Unknown
ELW #309. The Only Son from Heaven
ELW #355/6. Sing, My Tongue
ELW #671. Shine, Jesus, Shine
ELW #655. Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW #396. Spirit of Gentleness
ELW #800. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
ELW #445. Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
LBW #488. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
LBW #472/3. Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire
LBW #160. Filled with the Spirit’s Power
LBW #64. From East to West
LBW #493. Hope of the World
LBW #162. Lord God, the Holy Ghost
LBW #312. Once He Came in Blessing
LBW #387. Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth
LBW #388. O Spirit of the Living God
WOV #681. Come, O Holy Spirit, Come
WOV #686. Holy Spirit, Come to Us
WOV #642. I Wonder As I Wander
Various Hymnals On Pentecost They Gathered
Various Hymnals Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel:

ELW #402. Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
ELW #605. Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #752. Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
ELW #745. Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter
ELW #742. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
WOV #783. Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Church On Fire” By Russell Fragar.
“You Deserve” By James Dunlop, Matt Crocker.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“HALLELUJAH WE’RE NOT ALONE”  
“HEART OF THE PEOPLE” 
“I BELIEVE, I DO BELIEVE”  
“JUNTOS CREAMOS ESPIRITU”
“ONE SPIRIT” 

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Empowering God, you gave the church the abiding presence of your Holy Spirit. Look upon your church today and hear our petitions.

A brief silence.

Fill the church with the Holy Spirit, O God, and stir us to share the news of your love and grace with all the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send food in due season, O God, and renew the face of the earth through our actions and care for all that you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Circulate the Holy Spirit among all nations and peoples, O God, and bring forth the rule of your kingdom in all the corners of the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Strengthen our faith in your grace, O God, and show us our place as your children and heirs. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Work the fruit of the Holy Spirit in all who suffer, O God, and move us to bring them comfort and healing. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Unite us with all who have called you Abba, O God, and bring your whole family to our heavenly home. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Grant that, gathered and directed by your Spirit, we may confess Christ as Lord and combine our diverse gifts with a singular passion to continue his mission in this world until we join in your eternal praise. Amen.

Worship Resources for May 16, 2021

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7th Sunday of Easter NL345: One in Christ

Color: White/Gold
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 7(12)C
Gospel Text: Luke 1:68-79
Sermon Text: Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29
Other Text Suggestions: Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 22:19-28
Prayer of the Day (WP): Faithful Deliverer, you have chosen us to receive salvation by faith, not by the works of our hands. Deliver us, then, from the law, and free us from the bondage of sin so that with our hands we might serve you in purity of joy and response to your goodness, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who is all goodness. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #641. All Are Welcome
ELW #634. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
ELW #442. All Who Believe and Are Baptized
ELW #456. Baptized in Water
ELW #656. Blest Be the Tie That Binds
ELW #370. Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
ELW #247. Come Now, O Prince of Peace
ELW #684. Creating God, Your Fingers Trace
ELW #713. O God of Every Nation
ELW #482. I Come with Joy
ELW #650. In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW #471. Let Us Break Bread Together
ELW #496. One Bread, One Body
ELW #843. Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
ELW #590. Salvation unto Us Has Come
ELW #547. Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
ELW #445. Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
ELW #635. We Walk by Faith
ELW #774. What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
ELW #359. Where Charity and Love Prevail
ELW #212/3. You Belong to Christ
ELW #211. You Have Put On Christ
LBW #192. Baptized into Your Name Most Holy
LBW #373. Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round
LBW #302. Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness
LBW #79. To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord
Various Hymnals Christian Love
Various Hymnals God Is Love
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel:

ELW #250. Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #552. Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #553. Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
ELW #848. Give to Our God Immortal Praise!
ELW #673. God, Whose Almighty Word
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #253. He Came Down
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #810. O Jesus, I Have Promised
ELW #658. O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts
ELW #768. Lead Me, Guide Me
ELW #490. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten
ELW #842. Oh, Worship the King
LBW #2. Blessed Be the Lord
LBW #238. God Has Spoken by His Prophets
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Bind Us Together” By Bob Gillman.
“Make Us One” By Twila Paris.
“Whole World In His Hands” By Tim Hughes.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“ALL ARE WELCOME” 
“ALL MY RELATIVES”
“HALLELUJAH WE’RE NOT ALONE”  
“WE JOIN WITH THE EARTH”

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.

Send your Spirit upon the Church, O Lord; and unite us in the proclamation of your love and grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless all growing things, O Lord; and sustain creation with your vibrant life. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Reveal your will to the nations, O Lord; and bring your kingdom and rule fully into our reality. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Open our eyes to our differences, O Lord; and open our hearts to accept them in love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Clothe us in your love, O Lord; and restore all who suffer to wholeness in you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Make us heirs of Abraham, O Lord; and keep us steadfast in the way you have shown through all the prophets ans saints. 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.

Worship Resources for May 9, 2021

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6th Sunday of Easter NL344: Living by Faith

Color: White/Gold
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Proper 5(10)C; Proper 6(11)C
Gospel Text: Luke 18:9-14
Sermon Text: Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21 (Living by Faith)
Other Text Suggestions: 1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-24); Psalm 146
Prayer of the Day (WP): Lord of justification, with great joy we receive the gift of salvation which is ours not because of our own efforts, but because of the saving work of Christ. Grant us full access to the glory of your salvation, an abundance that is more than enough for all humankind, for the sake of our redeeming Christ. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #641. All Are Welcome
ELW #634. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
ELW #883. All People That on Earth Do Dwell
ELW #779. Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW #453. Baptized and Set Free
ELW #654. The Church’s One Foundation
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #526. God Is Here!
ELW #650. In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW #661. I Love to Tell the Story
ELW #538. The Lord Now Sends us Forth
ELW #759. My Faith Looks Up to Thee
ELW #496. One Bread, One Body
ELW #547. Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
ELW #663. Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #576. We All Are One in Mission
LBW #488. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
WOV #748. Bind Us Together
TFF #184. Wonderful Grace of Jesus
Various Hymnals Wonderful Grace of Jesus
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice, TFF=This Far by Faith)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel:

ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW #268. From Heaven Above
ELW #705. God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #545. Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #313. O Lord, Now Let Your Servant
ELW #200/1. Now, Lord
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten
ELW #785. When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“All of Creation” By Barry Graul, Bart Millard, et al.
“Light Of The World” By Matt Redman.
“Mighty to Save” By Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Dakota Road options:
“ALL ARE WELCOME” 
“ALL OF MY LIFE”  
“HOW BIG IS YOUR TABLE” 
“WASHED IN THE PROMISE” 

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Holy God, you have called us to follow in the way of your risen Son, and to care for those who are our companions, not only with words of comfort, but with acts of love. Seeking to be true friends of all, we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world.

A brief silence.

For your church on earth, O Lord; that it may continue to proclaim your grace and love to all people and open its doors ever more widely. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For famers and gardeners, O Lord; that the spring planting go well and safely and lead to an abundant harvest that all might have enough to live. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For presidents and prime ministers, and all leaders, O Lord; that their first priority might be justice and peace amongst all peoples and nations. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who do not know your grace and love, O Lord; that they might hear the good news and come to believe in you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who are in pain, O Lord; that your comfort and healing might be worked in them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this assembly, O Lord; that we may be bold in our witness and bold in our love of our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

For all the saints, O Lord, for Nicholas von Zinzendorf; that his proclamation might inspire our own. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide us in the path of discipleship, so that, as you have blessed us, we may be a blessing for others, bringing the promise of the kingdom near by our words and deeds. Amen.