Sermon at Nazareth (NL322)

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Epiphany 3C, Epiphany 4C
Psalm Text: Psalm 146
Sermon Text: Luke 4:14-30
Other Text Suggestions: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Prayer of the Day (WP): God of the nations, show us how to love all the people of the earth, of all colors and kinds: those with technology and without; those who make due with very little and who use many resources; those with formal education and without; those who call upon your name and who do not; so that all your children may be glorified in the name of the One who brought glory and liberty, Jesus Christ our salvation. Amen.

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

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #641. All Are Welcome
ELW #314. Arise, Your Light Has Come!*
ELW #242. Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
ELW #552. Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW #607. Come, Ye Disconsolate
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #673. God, Whose Almighty Word
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed*
ELW #239. Hark, the Glad Sound!
ELW #582. Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW #434. Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #805. Lead On, O King Eternal!
ELW #563. O Light Whose Splendor Thrills
ELW #403. Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
ELW #712. Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
ELW #886. Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
ELW #249. On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
ELW #843. Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
ELW #665. Rise, Shine, You People!
ELW #878. Soli Deo Gloria
ELW #614. There Is a Balm in Gilead
ELW #551. The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve
ELW #853. When Morning Gilds the Skies
ELW #798. Will You Come and Follow Me (The Summons)
ELW #668. O Zion, Haste
LBW #312. Once He Came in Blessing
LBW #430. Where Restless Crowds Are Thronging
WOV #638. Holy Child Within the Manger (Carol at the Manger)
Various Hymnals God Has Chosen Me (1990) by Bernadette Farrell
Various Hymnals Good News (1993) by Howard Olson
Various Hymnals Make Way (1986) by Graham Kendrick
Various Hymnals The Kingdom of God Is Justice and Joy (1973) by Bryn Rees
Various Hymnals You Have Anointed Me (1981) by Gary Daigle
(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:

“Awesome God” By Rich Mullins.
“Days of Elijah” By Robin Mark.
“Grace Wins” As performed by Matthew West.
“Love Has Come” By Brown Bannister, Mark Schultz, et al.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

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

Sisters and brothers, our baptismal vows call us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.

A brief silence.

Make the church bold in its proclamation of good news to the poor and the oppressed; bless our leaders with a vision of your future in which all are fed and welcomed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pour out your spirit of healing upon the damaged places of the world; open our eyes to the beauty of all that you have made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shower the world with your peace and justice; work through governments, non-profits, and NGOs to end conflicts and bring about equity. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Work in the lives of the lonely and anxious; use us to wrap those who are hurting in mind or spirit with your comfort and love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heal the sick (especially,…) and comfort the dying; grant wisdom and insight to doctors and researchers. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Use those gathered in worship today to proclaim your favor; strengthen our faith and move us to acts of compassion and service. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Inspire us through the example of the saints; work in and through us like you worked through them to proclaim your grace to the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to all people. Sanctify us by the same Spirit, that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel by acts of love in your name. Amen.