Lessons and Suggested Hymns,
Pentecost 2- Labor Day Weekend, Cycle B
(June 3 – September 2, 2018)
NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book)
WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book)
LSB (Lutheran Service Book)
ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
There are versions of some hymns that are superior in LSB and I recommend using them if possible. Also, there are some superb hymns in LSB that aren’t available in the other hymnals. When I suggest one of the latter, I try to include an alternative from LBW or WOV. I recommend that a license and DVD of downloadable hymns from LSB be purchased if you are looking to expand your hymnody. There are, in ELW, some familiar hymns that have been drastically altered, which I try to note. To be fair, ELW also has some fine hymns not available in the other hymnals, or has, interestingly, a more “traditional” translation or harmonization.
Color for the day is indicated for each Sunday. Primary liturgical calendar taken from Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), based on LSB. Also, I include the lessons from the standard Revised Common Lectionary, found in ELW and used in some congregations. It often overlaps the Sola/LCMS calendar lectionary, but when there are differences, I will note them.
June 3: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 4
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (Observe Sabbath, let all rest in remembrance of how God delivered you from slavery)
Psalm 81:1-10 (Praise God who delivered you from bondage; have no other gods!)
2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (Proclaim Christ as Lord; this treasure in earthen pots; Paul’s sufferings for Gospel)
Mark 2:23-3:6 (Eating, healing on Sabbath: sabbath made for man, not vice versa)
Opening hymn: LBW #161, O Day Full of Grace (LSB #503, ELW #627)
OR ELW #531, The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing
Hymn of the Day: LBW #251, O Day of Rest and Gladness (LSB #906, ELW #521)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #548, O Worship the King, All-Glorious Above (LSB #804, ELW #842)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #249, God Himself is Present (LSB #907)
OR ELW #528, Come and Fill Our Hearts (sung several times)
Closing Hymn: LBW #259, Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing (LSB #924, ELW #545)
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June 10: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5
Genesis 3:8-15 (The consequences of the Fall)
Psalm 130 (Out of the depths…)
2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1 (Outer nature wasting away, but preparing for the weight of glory)
Mark 3:20-35 (How can Satan cast out Satan; who is my mother, brother, sister?)
Opening hymn: LBW #415, God of Grace and God of Glory (LSB #850, ELW #705)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #470, Praise and Thanks and Adoration (familiar tune)
(ELW #783) (LSB #569, Praise to You and Adoration)
OR LBW #372, In Adam We Have All Been One (LSB #569)
OR WOV #668, There in God’s Garden (ELW #342)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #476, Have No Fear, Little Flock (LSB #735, ELW #764)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #370, Blest Be the Tie That Binds (LSB #649, ELW #656)
Closing Hymn: WOV #781, My Life Flows On In Endless Song (ELW #763)
OR LBW #315, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (LSB #700, ELW #631)
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June 17: 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 6, Father’s Day
Ezekiel 17:22-24 (God plants a cedar sprig on mountain of Israel where all may find shelter)
Psalm 1 (Blessed is the man who meditates on God’s Law day and night)
ELW: Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (Praise God day and night; the righteous flourish like palm trees)
2 Corinthians 5:1-11 (We will be further clothed, in eternal life)
ELW: 2 Corinthians 5:6-13 (We walk by faith, not sight; all must appear before judgment seat;
all done in Christ for others, not self)
Mark 4:26-34 (Parable of growing seed & mustard seed)
Opening hymn: LBW #560, Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices (LSB #811, ELW #833)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #234, Almighty God, Your Word is Cast (LSB #577, ELW #516)
OR LSB #586, Preach You the Word, and Plant it Home
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #771, Great is Thy Faithfulness (LSB #809, ELW #733)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #357, Our Father, By Whose Name (LSB #863, ELW #640)
Closing Hymn: LBW #362, We Plow the Fields and Scatter (ELW #680 [Spanish tune], 681)
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June 24: 5th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7, OR Nativity of St. John the Baptist
5 Pentecost, Proper 7:
Job 38:1-11 (God answers Job from whirlwind)
Psalm 124 (If the Lord had not been our own side, the flood would have taken us)
ELW: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 (God delivered those in peril on sea; praise him!)
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (Now is the acceptable time to accept God’s grace! The sufferings of Paul)
Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus stills the storm)
Opening hymn: LBW #552, In Thee is Gladness (LSB #818, ELW #867)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #333, Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me (LSB #722, ELW #767)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #543, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation (LSB #790, ELW #858)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #334, Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me (LSB #715, ELW #755)
Closing Hymn: LBW #467, Eternal Father, Strong to Save (LSB #717, ELW #756)
_ _ _ _ _ _
Nativity of St. John the Baptist:
Malachi 3:1-4 (The prophet who goes before the Lord; refiner’s fire)
Psalm 141 (Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants)
Acts 13:13-26 (Brief history of Israel, Davidic line leading to Jesus, who was foretold by John)
Luke 1:57-80 (Announcement and birth of John the Baptist)
Opening hymn: LBW #36, On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry (LSB #344, ELW #249)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #29, Comfort, Comfort Now My People (LSB #347, ELW #256)
OR LSB #346, When All the World Was Cursed (It’s good, honest!)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #403, Lord Speak to Us, That We May Speak (ELW #676)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #379, Spread, O Spread, Almighty Word
(ELW #663) (LSB #830, Spread the Reign of God the Lord)
Closing Hymn: LBW #178, v, 1, 15, 3, By All Your Saints in Warfare (LSB #518, v, 1, 18, 3)
ELW #421, v. 1, 14, 3, By All Your Saints Still Striving [eye roll])
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July 1: 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8
Lamentations 3:22-33 (God’s steadfast love & compassion never cease)
Psalm 30 (I cried to you for help; you healed me; what profit if I go into the Pit?)
2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15 (Be generous in giving to needs of the saints)
ELW: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Omits example of Macedonians)
Mark 5:21-43 (A girl restored to life; a woman with flow of blood healed)
Opening hymn: LBW #401, Before You, Lord, We Bow (LSB #966, ELW #893)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #453, If You But Trust in God to Guide You (ELW #769)
(LSB #750, If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #738, Healer of Our Every Ill (ELW #612)
OR LBW #345, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds (LSB #524, ELW #620)
Communion Hymn #2: WOV #746, Day By Day (ELW #790)
OR WOV 777, Give Me Jesus (ELW #770)
OR LBW #460, I am Trusting You, Lord Jesus (LSB #729)
Closing Hymn: LBW #341, Jesus, Still Lead On (ELW #624) (LSB #718, Jesus, Lead Thou On)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
July 8: 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9
Ezekiel 2:1-5 (God’s Spirit within the prophet called to speak to rebellious people)
Psalm 123 (Have mercy; we have had enough of contempt)
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (Paul’s visions, and the thorn in the flesh)
Mark 6:1-13 (Jesus rejected in Nazareth; the 12 are sent on mission trip)
Opening hymn: LBW #383, Rise Up, O Saints of God! (ELW #669)
Hymn of the Day: WOV #756, Lord, You Give the Great Commission (ELW #579)
OR LBW #238, God Has Spoken By His Prophets (LSB #583) (Tune may not be familiar, so use “Austria” – “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.” It works great.)
OR LSB # 856, O Christ, Who Called the Twelve
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #492, O Master, Let Me Walk With You (ELW #818)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #381, Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling (LSB #827)
OR WOV #752, Here I Am, Lord (ELW #574)
Closing Hymn: LBW #567, God of Our Fathers
OR ELW #887, This is My Song (tune is Finlandia; nice words)
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July 15: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10
Amos 7:7-15 (Amos speaks of God’s judgment, and is told by king to take a hike)
Psalm 85:1-13 (Restore us again, O God of our salvation; righteousness and peace have kissed)
ELW: Psalm 85:8-13 (Eliminates wrath, plea for forgiveness)
Ephesians 1:3-14 (Spiritual blessings in Christ, who has prepared our eternal inheritance)
Mark 6:14-29 (John the Baptist loses his head)
Opening hymn: LBW #499, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (LSB #686, ELW #807)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #322, The Clouds of Judgment Gather (tune is Irish, very nice, but you can
substitute the tune for “Lead On, O King Eternal”)
OR LBW #454, If God Himself Be For Me (LSB #724) (ELW #788, If God My Lord Be For Me)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #627, My Lord, What a Morning (LSB #968, ELW #438)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #461, Fight the Good Fight (LSB #664)
OR ELW #483, Here is Bread
Closing Hymn: LBW #503, O Jesus, I Have Promised (ELW #810)
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July 22: 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 11, OR St. Mary Magdalene
9 Pentecost, Proper 11:
Jeremiah 23:1-5 (God will replace Israel’s false shepherds; righteous branch of David)
Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd)
Ephesians 2:11-22 (Joined together in Christ, he is our peace through blood of his cross)
Mark 6:30-44 (Feeding the 5000)
ELW: Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 (Jesus teaches [before feeding 5000], and heals
[after; will get feeding miracle from John])
Opening hymn: LBW #369, The Church’s One Foundation (LSB #644, ELW #654)
OR LSB #646, Church of God, Elect and Glorious (Really nice. Tune is same as “Lord, You gave
the great commission”.)
Hymn of the Day: WOV #716, Word of God, Come Down on Earth (LSB #545, ELW #510)
OR LBW #235, Break Now the Bread of Life (ELW #515)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #212, Let Us Break Bread Together (ELW #471)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #474, Children of the Heavenly Father (LSB #725, ELW #781)
Closing Hymn: LBW #196, Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing (2nd verse is perfect!) (ELW #544)
OR LBW #481, Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (LSB #711, ELW #789)
OR LBW #371, With God as Our Friend (it sings like a Swedish folk dance tune, and the words are delightful)
_ _ _ _ _
St. Mary Magdalene:
Ruth 1:6-18 (Ruth steadfastly remains with Naomi)
Psalm 73:23-29 (Whom have I in heaven but you?)
Acts 13:26-33a (We are witnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus)
John 20:1-2, 11-18 (Easter encounter: Mary and Jesus)
Opening hymn: LBW #94, My Song is Love Unknown (LSB #430, ELW #343)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #336, Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me (LSB #683)
OR LBW #356, O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts (ELW #658)
OR LSB #542, When I Behold Christ Jesus
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #385, What Wondrous Love is This (LSB #543, ELW #666)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #298, One There is, Above All Others
OR WOV #6932, For All the Faithful Women (LSB #855, ELW #419)
Closing Hymn: LBW #540, Praise the Lord! O Heav’ns (ELW #823)
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July 29: 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12
Genesis 9:8-17 (God makes rainbow a sign of his covenant with Noah)
ELW: 2 Kings 4:42-44 (Elisha feeds 100)
Psalm 136:1-9 (Give thanks to God; he is good; his steadfast love endures forever)
ELW: Psalm 145:10-18 (All eyes look to you, you give food in due season
Ephesians 3:14-21 (Be strengthened by Spirit, rooted and grounded in Christ)
Mark 6:45-56 (Jesus walks on water, heals many in Gennesaret)
ELW: John 6:1-21 (Feeding of 5000, walking on water)
Opening hymn: LBW #348, O Worship the King (LSB #804, ELW #842)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #333, Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me (LSB #722, ELW #767)
OR (if using ELW texts) ELW #461, All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #346, When Peace, Like a River (LSB #763)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #527, v. 1-3, 6-7: All Creatures of Our God and King
(ELW #835: “All Creatures, Worship God Most High”– fewer verses, altered)
Closing Hymn: WOV #771, Great Is Thy Faithfulness (LSB #809, ELW #733)
OR LBW #188, I Bind Unto Myself Today (LSB #604, ELW #450)
OR ELW #482, I Come With Joy
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August 5: 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13
Exodus 16:2-15 (Israelites complain, God sends quail, manna; Moses says compliant is against God)
ELW: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 (less warning)
Psalm 145:10-21 (The eyes of all look to you, you give them food in due season)
ELW: Psalm 78:23-29 (Mortals ate bread of heaven)
Ephesians 4:1-16 (Unity of the Body of Christ, through the Spirit)
John 6:22-35 (My Father, not Moses, gives the true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life)
Opening hymn: LBW #343, Guide Me Ever Great Redeemer (ELW #618)
(LSB #918, Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #210, At the Lamb’s High Feast (LSB #633, ELW #362)
OR WOV #711, You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (LSB #641, ELW #484)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #214, Come, Let Us Eat, For Now the Feast Is Spread (LSB #626, ELW #491)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #197, O Living Bread From Heaven (LSB #642)
Closing Hymn: LBW #353, May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill (LSB #698)
OR ELW #649, Behold, How Pleasant
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August 12: 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14
1 Kings 19:1-8 (Elijah flees from Jezebel, is fed by angel that he might go where God leads him)
ELW: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (No Jezebel!)
Psalm 34:1-8 (Look to the Lord, be radiant; taste and see how gracious the Lord is)
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 (Old vs. new life; rules of that new life)
ELW: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (No mention of lusts, licentiousness)
John 6:35-51 (I am the bread of life; I will raise you up at the last day)
ELW: John 6:35, 41-51 (Omits Jesus’s words about doing Father’s will)
Opening hymn: WOV #702, I Am the Bread of Life (ELW #485)
OR LBW #203, Now We Join in Celebration (ELW #462)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #172, Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor (LSB #534, ELW #475)
OR LBW #207, We Who Once Were Dead (ELW #495)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #126, Where Charity and Love Prevail (LSB #845)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #200, For the Bread Which You Have Broken (ELW #494)
OR WOV #706, Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup (LSB #638, ELW #492)
Closing Hymn: LBW Here, O My Lord, I See Thee (LSB #631)
OR ELW #469, By Your Hand You Feed Your People
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August 19: 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (Renewal of covenant before entering Promised Land)
ELW: Proverbs 9:1-16 (Wisdom sets feast, beckons all to eat)
Psalm 34:12-22 (Many are the afflictions of the righteous; the Lord rescues them from them all)
ELW: Psalm 34:9-14 (fear, seek the Lord, pursue righteousness; omits verses about afflictions of righteous)
Ephesians 5:15-21 (Don’t be drunk on wine, but filled with the Spirit)
ELW: Ephesians 5:15-20 (eliminates being subject to one another)
John 6:51-69 (My flesh is true food, my blood, true drink; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life)
Opening hymn: LBW #552, In Thee is Gladness (LSB #818, ELW #867)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #464, You Are the Way; Through You Alone (LSB #526, ELW #758)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #205, Now the Silence (LSB #910, ELW #460)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #199, Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior (LSB #640)
(ELW #476, Thee We Adore, O Savior, God Most True, a Gerard Manley Hopkins translation)
Closing Hymn: LBW #534/533, Now Thank We All Our God (LSB #895, ELW #839/840)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
August 26: 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16
Isaiah 29:11-19 (Wisdom of wise shall perish; poor and needy shall obtain joy, exult in the Lord)
ELW: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (Chose the god you will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord)
Psalm 14 (Denunciation of fools who say, “There is no God”)
ELW: Psalm 34:15-22 (Vindication of righteous, punishment of evildoers)
Ephesians 5:22-33 (Exhortation to wives and husbands; marriage as symbol of Christ and Church)
ELW: Ephesians 6:10-20 (Put on the whole armor of God)
Mark 7:1-13 (You abandon commandment of God, hold to human tradition!)
ELW: John 6:56-59 (The one who eats me, the living bread, will live forever)
Opening hymn: LBW #499, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (LSB #686, ELW #807)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #366, Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation (LSB #659, ELW #766)
OR (if preaching on Epistle) WOV #751, As Man and Woman We Were Made (sprightly Christmas carol tune)
OR (If preaching on John) ELW #464, Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #230, Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word (LSB #655, ELW #517)
OR LBW #219, Come With Us, O Blessed Jesus (ELW #501)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #263, Abide With Us, Our Savior (LSB #919, ELW #539, Abide, O Dearest Jesus)
Closing Hymn: LBW #239, God’s Word is Our Great Heritage (LSB #582, ELW #509)
++++++++++++++++++++++
September 2: 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17 (Labor Day Weekend)
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 (Keep God’s command fully and diligently)
Psalm 119:129-136 (Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them)
ELW: Psalm 15 (Those who keep commandments may live on his holy hill)
Ephesians 6:10-20 (Put on the whole armor of God)
ELW: James 1:17-27 (Be doers, not just hearers, of the Word)
Mark 7:14-23 (Defilement is from within, not without; evils arise in human heart)
ELW: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (Jesus rebukes Pharisee’s criticism; omits a repetition)
Opening hymn: LSB #665, Be Strong in the Lord in Armor of Light (perfect for Ephesians text)
OR LBW #389, Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus (LSB #660)
OR (if not used 7/29) LBW #188, I Bind Unto Myself Today (LSB #604, ELW #450)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #232, Your Word, O Lord, is Gentle Dew (another nice Swedish folk tune!)
OR LBW #480, O, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways (LSB #707, ELW #772)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #754, Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (ELW #674)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #469 Lord of All Hopefulness (LSB #738, ELW #765)
Closing Hymn: LBW #504, O God, My Faithful God (LSB #696, ELW #806)
