Lessons and Suggested Hymns, Cycle C
2nd Sunday after Pentecost – 13th Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 7-18
June 23 – September 8, 2019
NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book)
WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book)
LSB – Lutheran Service Book (The Maroon Book)
ELW – Evangelical Lutheran Worship (The Cranberry Book)
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. 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 (RCL) 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.
I’ve tried to put in page breaks between Sundays, rather than in the middle of one!!
June 23: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7
Isaiah 65:1-9: God’s people provoke him with wickedness and hypocrisy, but for the sake of “the blessing in the vine,” he will not destroy them all.
Psalm 3: David’s prayer for deliverance as Absalom hunted him
Galatians 3:23-4:7: Law was our disciplinarian; it divided Jew/Greek, male/female, slave/free. In Christ we are united as children of God, adopted, redeemed, free.
RCL: Galatians 3:23-29: Only first half of above reading.
Luke 8:26-39: Jesus heals the Gerasene demoniac; “swine lake!”
Opening Hymn: LBW #559, Oh, For A Thousand Tongues to Sing (ELW #886, LSB #528)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #312, Once He Came in Blessing (LSB #333)
OR LBW #393, Rise, Shine, You People (ELW #665, LSB #825)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #359, In Christ, There is No East or West (ELW #650, LSB #653)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #523, Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling (ELW #582, LSB #650)
Closing Hymn: LBW #357, Our Father, By Whose Name (ELW #640, LSB #863)
OR LBW #448, Amazing Grace (ELW #779, LSB #744)
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June 30: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8
(Either this or following Sunday may recognize Independence Day)
1 Kings 19:9b-21: Elijah is in a funk. God sends him to Mt. Horeb, and in the “Still small voice” commissions him. Elijah anoints Elisha as his successor.
RCL: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21: Just the commissioning of Elijah and Elisha, minus the reference to the still small voice, the slaying of the faithless and the 7000 who are faithful.
Psalm 16: I will not worship with the faithless. God will not let his anointed see the Pit.
Galatians 5:1, 13-25: “For freedom Christ has set you free!” Life in the flesh vs. Spirit, and works of the flesh vs. fruits of the Spirit.
Luke 9:51-62: James and John want to call fire down on Samaritan village. “Wannabe” followers of Jesus make excuses.
Opening Hymn: LBW #252, You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (ELW #825)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #455, “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake (LSB #688)
OR ELW # 768, Lead Me, Guide Me (LSB #721)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #649, I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (ELW #815, LSB #411)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #503, O Savior, Precious Savior (ELW #820, LSB #527)
Closing Hymn: LBW #401, Before You, Lord, We Bow (nice words by Francis Scott Key!)
(ELW #893, LSB #966)
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July 7: 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9
(Either this or previous Sunday may recognize Independence Day)
Isaiah 66:10-14: Rejoice and comfort Jerusalem; as mother comforts child, so God comforts Jerusalem and be indignant against her enemies.
Psalm 66:1-7: Worship, sing praise to God, who led his people through the sea; his enemies cringe before him.
RCL: Psalm 66:1-9: adds verses of blessing, for God has not let our feet slip.
Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18: Restore transgressors gently. Bear one another’s burdens, but test, carry one’s own. You sow what you reap; let it be a harvest of the Spirit! Paul only boasts in the cross of Christ; bears his mark. Final blessings.
RCL: Galatians 6:[1-6], 7-16: Begins with sowing and reaping, boasting in Christ.
Luke 10:1-20: Jesus commissions the 70; woe to unrepentant cities; return of the 70.
RCL: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20: Eliminates the woes.
Opening Hymn: LBW #549, Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (ELW #865, LSB #793)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #381, Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling (LSB #827)
OR LBW #349, I Love to Tell the Story (ELW #661)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #379, Spread, Oh Spread, Almighty Word (ELW #663)
(LSB #830, Spread the Reign of God the Lord)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #221, Sent Forth By God’s Blessing (ELW #547, LSB #643)
OR ELW #888, O Beautiful for Spacious Skies
Closing Hymn: LBW #567, God of Our Fathers
OR ELW #887, This is My Song (set to “Finlandia”; heartfelt words)
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July 14: 5th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10
Leviticus 18:1-5, 19:9-18: Respect for the poor; for impartial justice; for proper chiding of a wayward neighbor: for “I am the Lord your God!”
RCL: Deuteronomy 30:9-14: God will abundantly bless those who keep his law. It is not hard to keep: it is on your lips, in your heart.
Psalm 41: Though I have constantly helped the poor, my enemies deride me; “But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.”
RCL: Psalm 25:1-10: Teach me; lead me in your paths; do not remember the sins of my youth!
Colossians 1:1-14: The hope laid up for you, which is the truth, will bear good fruit in you. Prayer for strength by God’s power, to share in his glorious inheritance.
Luke 10:25-37: Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Opening Hymn: LBW #419, Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace (ELW #716, LSB #844)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #126, Where Charity and Love Prevail (ELW #359, LSB #845)
OR ELW #659, Will You Let Me Be Your Servant (easy tune)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #748, Bind Us Together, Lord
OR LBW #370, Blest Be the Tie That Binds (ELW #656, LSB #645, 975)
Communion Hymn #2: WOV #765, Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love (ELW #708, LSB #980)
Closing Hymn: LBW #353, May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill (LSB 698, THY Precepts)
OR LBW #424, Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us (ELW #707, LSB #851)
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July 21: 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 11
Genesis 18:1-10a: God promises Abraham and Sarah a son
Psalm 27: (1-6), 7-14: The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom shall I fear? Teach me your way; protect me from evildoers; I shall see the Lord in the land of the living.
RCL: Psalm 15: Who shall abide in God’s sanctuary? Those who are blameless and do right.
Colossians 1:21-29: Christ has reconciled you, made you holy, blameless, if you are steadfast. Paul suffers for the sake of presenting the mystery of “Christ in you.”
RCL: Colossians 1:15-28: Christ, in whom the fullness of God is pleased to dwell, has reconciled us to God; remainder as above.
Luke 10:38-42: Jesus visits Martha and Mary
Opening Hymn: LBW #253, Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now (ELW #527, LSB #902)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #514, O Savior, Precious Savior (ELW #820)
OR LSB #536, One Thing’s Needful; Lord, This Treasure
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #249, God Himself is Present (LSB #907)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #356, O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts (ELW #658)
Closing Hymn: LBW #259, Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing (ELW #545, LSB #924)
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July 28: 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12
Genesis 18:17-19, 20-33: God decides to not hide from Abraham his decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah; Abraham bargains with God for the cities.
RCL: Genesis 18:20-32: Eliminates God’s words about telling Abraham.
Psalm 138: I praise and exalt the Lord; I call, you answer and deliver me!
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19): Be rooted and built up in Christ and established in the faith. In Baptism, you received spiritual circumcision. Your sinful nature was nailed to the Cross. Do not be swayed by conceit or deceit; hold to the Head!
Luke 11:1-13: The Lord’s Prayer; parable of the friend coming at midnight; ask, seek, knock!
Opening Hymn: LBW #169, Father Most Holy, Merciful and Tender (ELW #415, LSB #504)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #438, Lord, Teach Us How To Pray Aright (ELW #745)
OR LBW #442, O Thou, Who Hast of Thy Pure Grace (ELW #746/747, Our Father, God in Heaven
Above, LSB #766 – same tune, different paraphrase as LBW hymn)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #439, What a Friend We Have in Jesus (ELW #742, LSB #770)
Communion Hymn #2: WOV#772, O Lord, Hear My Prayer (ELW #751, LSB #780)
Closing Hymn: LBW #507, How Firm a Foundation (ELW #796, LSB #728)
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August 4: 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26: Futility of seeking wisdom. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!
Psalm 100: Make a joyful noise, all ye lands; enter his gates with thanksgiving! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever.
RCL: Psalm 49:1-12: The folly of trusting riches (goes well with 1st lesson)
Colossians 3:1-11: Raised with Christ, you must seek that which is above. Put away all sinful behavior, words, and desires. Be clothed in the new life!
Luke 12:13-21: The parable of the rich fool, whose life is required straightaway.
Opening Hymn: LBW #245, All People That on Earth do Dwell (ELW #883, LSB #791)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #447, All Depends on Our Possessing (ELW #589, LSB #732)
OR LSB #788, Forgive Us, Lord, For Shallow Thankfulness (wow, the words are powerful!)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #364, Son of God, Eternal Savior (ELW #655, LSB #842)
Communion Hymn #2: WOV #760, For the Fruit of All Creation (ELW #679)
(LSB #894, For the Fruits of His Creation)
Closing Hymn: LBW #256, O, Sing Jubilee To the Lord
OR ELW #683, The Numberless Gifts of God’s Mercies (An easy Swedish folk tune!)
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August 11: 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14
Genesis 15:1-6: God’s covenant with Abraham, whose descendants are countless as stars
Psalm 33:12-22: God watches the deeds of all; fear of God, not strength or armies, pleases him. “Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.”
Hebrews 11:1-16: Meaning of faith; examples of faith from Cain through Abraham. They died trusting in promises which they had not received but looked toward in hope.
RCL: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16: Abraham is only example cited.
Luke 12:22-34, (35-40): Don’t worry about food, clothing. Have no fear, little flock! Be like servants faithfully awaiting master’s return; he will bless and serve them!
RCL: Luke 12:32-40: Omits part about food, clothing, fall of sparrows.
Opening Hymn: WOV #771, Great is Thy Faithfulness (ELW #733, LSB #809)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #465, Evening and Morning (ELW #761, LSB #726)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #783, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God (LSB #712)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #320, O God, Our Help in Ages Past (ELW #632, LSB #733)
Closing Hymn: LBW #553, Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng (LSB #813)
(ELW #873/874, Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart; 873 more familiar)
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August 18, 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15
Jeremiah 23:16-29: God’s wrath towards false prophets. “Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. Is not my word like fire, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
RCL: Jeremiah 23:23-29: Omits bit about wrath busting up false prophets
Psalm 119:81-88: I am persecuted without cause; spare me according to your steadfast love, that I may keep your decrees.
RCL: Psalm 82: In heavenly council, God demands justice for week, poor, orphans. Though you are sons of God, you shall die as mortals. Arise, God, and judge the earth!
Hebrews 11:17-31; 12:1-3: Roll call of faith. Surrounded by cloud of witnesses, run race set before us, looking to Jesus, “pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
RCL: Hebrews 11:29-12:2: Slightly different portion of roll call!
Luke 12:49-52, (54-56): Jesus brings fire and sword, not peace. (Read the signs of the times.)
Opening Hymn: LBW #239, God’s Word is Our Great Heritage (ELW #509, LSB #582)
OR LBW #498, All Who Would Valiant Be
Hymn of the Day: LBW #233, Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness (ELW #511, LSB #578)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #230, Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word (ELW #517, LSB #655)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #501, He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought
Closing Hymn: LBW #183, The Son of God Goes Forth to War (LSB #661)
OR LBW #383, Rise Up, O Saints of God (ELW #669)
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August 25: 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16
Isaiah 66:18-23: I will gather all nations; they shall proclaim my glory; my people shall be gathered like a pure offering. I make new heaven and earth: all shall worship me.
RCL: Isaiah 58:9b-14: If you do justice for the poor, and honor my Sabbath, I shall hear you and bless you and you will delight in me.
Psalm 50:1-15: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, the glorious, mighty, holy God shines forth. Not bulls and burnt offerings, but the sacrifice of prayer and praise are acceptable to God.
RCL: Psalm 103:1-8: Bless the Lord, O my soul; forget not his benefits; he forgives, redeems, strengthens, and works justice for the oppressed.
Hebrews 12:4-24, (25-29): Accept God’s discipline. Do not reject God’s grace. You have come to Mount Zion, to all the redeemed, and to Christ mediator of new covenant. (Do not refuse the one whose kingdom cannot be shaken; he is a consuming fire.)
RCL: Hebrews 12:18-29: Omits section on God’s discipline, warning about refusing his grace.
Luke 13:22-30: Parable of the narrow door and rejection.
RCL: Luke 13:10-17: Jesus heals a crippled woman.
Opening Hymn: LBW #358, Glories of Your Name are Spoken (ELW #647, LSB #648, Glorious Things of You are Spoken)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #304, Today Your Mercy Calls Us (LSB #915)
OR ELW #798, Will You Come and Follow Me
OR (if using RCL) ELW #617, We Come to You For Healing, Lord
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #464, You Are the Way (ELW #758, LSB #526)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #331, Jerusalem, My Happy Home (ELW #628, LSB #673)
Closing Hymn: LBW #345, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds (ELW #620, LSB #524)
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September 1: 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17 (Labor Day Weekend)
Proverbs 25:2-10: Repentant, humble, prudent behavior advised.
RCL: Proverbs 25:6-7: Humble behavior advised.
Psalm 131: I do not raise my eyes to high; like a weaned child I rest.
RCL: Psalm 112: The blessings promised to the righteous and just.
Hebrews 13:1-17: Assorted kinds of service well-pleasing to God; Christ the same yesterday, today, forever; do not be carried away by strange teachings; confess his name; share with others; obey rulers.
RCL: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16: Omits bit about strange teaching, obedience to rulers.
Luke 14:1-14: Luke heals man at home of a Pharisee; words about humility and invitation
RCL: Luke 14:1, 7-14: Omits healing of man with dropsy
Opening Hymn: LBW #364, Son of God, Eternal Savior (ELW #655, LSB #842)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #225, Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray (LSB #623)
OR LBW #423, Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (ELW #712, LSB #848)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #474, Children of the Heavenly Father (ELW #781, LSB #725)
Communion Hymn #2: WOV #746, Day by Day (ELW #790)
Closing Hymn: LBW #406, Take My Life, That I May Be (ELW #685) (LSB #783, 784, Take My Life, and Let It Be)
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September 8, 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18
Deuteronomy 30:15-20: I have set before you life and death. Choose life!
Psalm 1: Blessed is the righteous man whose delight is in the law of the Lord.
Philemon (whole book of 21 verses!): Paul’s plea on behalf of repentant runaway slave
Luke 14:25-35: The cost of following Jesus
Opening Hymn: LSB #705, The Man is Ever Blessed (paraphrase of Ps. 1)
OR LBW #480, O, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways (ELW #772, LSB #707)
Hymn of the Day: LSB #853, How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord
OR LBW #487, Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus (ELW #802, LSB #685)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #504, O God, My Faithful God (ELW #806, LSB #696)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #503, O Jesus, I Have Promised (ELW #810)
Closing Hymn: LBW #469, Lord of All Hopefulness (ELW #765, LSB #738)
