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.