Holy Trinity, Cycle B (May 30, 2021)

Isaiah 6:1-8 (“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!”)

Psalm 29 (The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; in his temple, all cry, “Glory!”)

Acts 2:14a,22-36 (“This Jesus, God raised up… ³³having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, that you both see and hear”)

                ELW: Romans 8:12-17 (We have received the Spirit of adoption, cry out “Abba, Father”)

John 3:1-17 (Jesus and Nicodemus; the Spirit blows where it wills; God gave his only-begotten Son….)

THE PRAYERS 

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Most holy God, ravish us with your splendor and beauty. Take our breath away with your holiness and purity. Then fill us with your presence, your word, your breath, so that our lives cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of his glory!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your Church radiant with your holiness.  Keep it steadfast in faith; sound in doctrine; loving in service; generous in giving; ardent in worship; and holy in living. Make it a lamp filled with the light of your presence, welcoming and guiding many to salvation in your holy Name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be the shelter, strength, and inheritance of all who are hated because of your holy Name. Give them courage, graciousness, and hope; and soften the hearts of their enemies.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Kindle the hearts and minds of the people of this congregation with your Spirit. Unite us to your Son, and use us to proclaim the gospel in words and deeds to all those we meet.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This weekend in particular, we remember our beloved dead, especially those who have given their lives for their country. Keep them ever in your care. Hasten the day when sin, warfare, and death shall be no more, and your eternal peace reigns undisturbed in every heart.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There is no other God beside you. Give faith, wisdom, and righteousness to all people, especially those who take counsel for the nations. Conform the hearts of all people to your will, and grant us grace to love one another as you love us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With your mighty hand and outstretched arm, protect, guide, and defend all those who stand in harm’s way on behalf of others. Use them to establish safety and order in places of danger and chaos; and bring them home safely and soon.

Gather in your Son’s embrace all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially: {List}. Visit them with your salvation. Support them, and all who love them, with your holy and life-giving Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, we praise you for welcoming into your presence all who died trusting in you. Keep our hearts firmly fixed on you, the Lord and Giver of life. Bring us, with the whole company of the redeemed of every time and place, every nation, tribe, and tongue, into your presence, where we shall forever adore: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Lord and our God.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we are bold to ask these things in Jesus’ name. Whatever is in accordance with your will, grant us for your dear Son’s sake. Amen.

Day of Pentecost, Cycle B (May 23, 2021)

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Mortal, can these bones live?!)

                ELW: Ezekiel 37:1-14 OR Acts 2:1-21 Spirit descends; disciples proclaim: “All who call on Name of Lord shall be saved!”)

Psalm 139:1-16 (You search and know us; none can escape from your Spirit)

                ELW: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (God’s manifold works; he gives food in due season; bless his name. Oh, v. 35a is omitted, the bit about the wicked being no more…)

Acts 2:1-21(Spirit descends upon disciples. All who call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved!)

                ELW: Romans 8:22-27 (Creation groans, waiting for our redemption; Spirit intercedes in sighs too deep for words)

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (The Advocate Spirit will testify; prove the world wrong; guide you in all truth; glorify me by taking what is mine and giving it to you)

THE PRAYERS 

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Most holy and gracious Spirit, it feels odd praying to you, not just in your power! Like the air around us, we almost take you for granted, even though we can’t live or breathe except you move in us. Thank you for being “Incognito God,” blowing where you will even when we don’t notice you. Renew our life, faith, and love, now and always.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew your Church. Fill it with boldness in witnessing to Jesus. Fill it with faithfulness in proclaiming his Word and celebrating his Sacraments. Fill it with zeal for ministering to all people in his name – especially to the least of those whom he calls sisters and brothers.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew the faith of your persecuted Church. Give it grace to endure suffering for Jesus’ sake; and grant that its faithful witness may cause many to turn to Christ and live.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew the people and the ministry of this congregation. Fill us with joyfulness in worship; eagerness in service; gentleness in fellowship; generosity in giving; and persistence in faithful witness in Jesus’ name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew the faith in all who are confirmed, commissioned, or ordained today. Be for them the true Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in his presence.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew the minds of worldly leaders. Fill their hearts with wisdom and humility as they wield power and authority. Fill the spirits of the world’s citizens with love for God, neighbor, and the world around them. Fill creation with fruitfulness and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew the minds and direct the actions of all who take protect life, health, justice, and freedom. Strengthen and protect them. Bless all they do that is in accordance with your will. Bring them safely home when their task is done.

Renew the hope, faith, and health of all whose need is great, especially: {List}. Fill them with the comfort of your presence and lead them into the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and cheer the hearts of all who grieve the loss of loved ones. Fill them, and all of us, all with faith in you, the Lord and Giver of life; in the communion of saints in heaven and on earth; in the forgiveness of sins, in the resurrection of the body; and in life everlasting.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant us, dear Lord, all that is in accordance with your will, to your glory, and for the building up of your people. Amen.

7^th Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (May 16, 2021)

(May also be used for Ascension, Transferred)

 7^th Sunday of Easter texts:

 Acts 1:12-26 (Matthias chosen to replace Judas)

                ELW: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (no references to Judas)

Psalm 1 (Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord!)

1 John 5:9-15 (And this is God’s testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.)               

ELW: 1 John 5:9-13 (nothing about praying according to his will)

John 17:11b-19 (Jesus prays that his Father would protect and sanctify all who believe in him)

                ELW: John 17:6-19 (adds “They have known everything I have from you”)

 #####

Ascension Texts:

Acts 1:1-11(Promise of Holy Spirit and ascension of Jesus) 

Psalm 47 (God has gone up with a shout! He rules over the nations)

Ephesians 1:15-23 (Paul’s prayer for eternal inheritance in Christ, whom God has raised, given all power and authority, and made him head over all things for the Church, his body) 

Luke 24:44-53 (Jesus reminds followers of Scriptures; blesses them and ascends)

 THE PRAYERS 

Let us pray in the name of our risen and ascended Savior for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, with joy we cry, “Jesus has gone up with a shout! The Lord has ascended on high!” Thank you for his triumph over sin and death. Keep us faithful unto death, until Jesus gives us his crown of life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give your Church faith, joy, and boldness to proclaim Jesus’ Lordship to all the world until he comes again in glory.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Ease the suffering of all who are persecuted for naming Jesus as Lord. Give gentleness to their words and peace in their hearts. Bring to repentance and humble faith all who torment them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This congregation thanks and praises you for the triumph of Christ our Savior. Grant us grace to live in accordance with his commands; to proclaim him as Lord and King; and to share his forgiveness and grace with those who need them most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be with all students graduating this Spring! Bless them with wisdom as well as knowledge. Give them integrity along with passion. Help them to use all they have learned in ways that glorify you and help others.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son has ascended on high, and is king of all nations. We pray for the earthly leaders of those nations, especially our own. Make them righteous and merciful, and conform them to your will. Teach all people to live together in peace and unity, until the day Christ comes to judge the living and the dead.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift before you the needs of all whose lives are shadowed by suffering or sorrow— especially: {List}. Grant to them the abundant life promised by Jesus; fill them with the grace and comfort of your Holy Spirit; and bless those who care for them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we await the coming of that day when we, shall live with you and with all of your people in joy and glory everlasting. We entrust into your care those who have died trusting your promised inheritance. Keep us in union with them, with all of your saints, and with you, in the power of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Christ our Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear and graciously answer our prayers in accordance with your will, dear Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

6^th Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (May 9, 2021; Mother’s Day)

Acts 10:34-48 (Peter preaches to Gentiles, who receive Holy Spirit and are baptized)       

ELW: Acts 10:44-48 (having preached to them a couple of weeks ago 😉, now Peter baptizes Gentiles)

Psalm 98 (Let all creation praise the Lord, the Judge of the world!)

1 John 5:1-8 (We know we love God’s children when we love him, obey his commandments and believe Jesus is his Son.)       

ELW: 1 John 5:1-6 (stops short of obeying his commandments…)

John 15:9-17 (Love one another as I have loved you. You didn’t choose me – I chose you to bear much fruit)

THE PRAYERS 

Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, thank you choosing us to love you, to love one another, and to bear your love into the world. The world needs you so much! Make us faithful and fruitful, so our words and actions nourish hearts starved for your love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless your Church with the power and presence of your Holy Spirit. Fill it with your love. Nourish it with Word and Sacrament. Through it, let the world see, desire, and dwell in your love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Cheer the hearts and strengthen the spirits of all who are persecuted for your Name’s sake, and use their witness to cause many to repent and believe in you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless the people of this congregation with faith, hope, and charity. Fill us with wisdom and prudence. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit, make us glad to obey your commandments.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give a double portion of your Spirit to all mothers, and to everyone who acts with a mother’s love toward your little ones. Grant them patience, wisdom, and a good night’s sleep. Forgive them when they falter in their high calling. Renew their spirits, and make them a perpetual blessing to their children. Comfort all who have lost a child, and all who long to have children but cannot.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill the leaders of the nations with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might. Teach them to love justice; to act with mercy toward the poor and hungry in their lands; and to walk humbly before your Father. Grant to all people the blessings of peace and unity on earth.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless all who safeguard life, health, and freedom. Grant them wisdom and integrity. Guide, protect, and strengthen them. Let their labors help create a safe, just world where the innocent may live in peace. Help us to honor their work and sacrifice on our behalf.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant the refreshment and joy of your life-giving Spirit to all who cry to you for help, especially: {List}. Grant them wholeness of body and mind; a joyful and confident hope in your goodness, and the peace which the world cannot give them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing, forgiving, and saving the faithful who have gone before us. Grant that in this life, we may bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gather us into your Kingdom, where those fruits will fully ripen and be perfected, to your glory and to the delight of all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

5^th Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (May 2, 2021)

 Acts 8:26-40 (Philip explains Suffering Servant to Ethiopian eunuch)

Psalm 150 (Let everything praise the Lord!)

ELW: Psalm 22:25-31 (Everyone shall bow down and worship!)

1 John 4:1-21 (Test spirits to see if they are from God. Love one another, for love is of God)

             ELW: 1 John 4:7-21 (no testing of spirits!)

John 15:1-8 (I am the vine; you are the branches; my Father prunes you so you bear much fruit)

 THE PRAYERS 

Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, thank you for cutting us from our tree of death and grafting us to yourself, the Living Vine. Give us courage: your Father’s pruning shears frighten us at times! Give us faith: he prunes us to bear much fruit in you! Give us love: it is the sweetest fruit of your blessed vine.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that your holy Church may always abide in you, and you in it. Make it fruitful in words of faith and hope, and deeds of love. Through its witness, graft many souls to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give to your persecuted servants the knowledge that through their faithful endurance, they will bear rich fruit that refreshes and nourishes many hearts – perhaps even their enemies’.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You are the vine, and we are the branches. Keep the people of this congregation united to you and to one another. Help our ministries to bear much fruit in the lives of those around us. Give us joy in knowing and serving you, our Savior and Brother.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless and direct everyone learning the way of being your disciple. May their patient friendship, walking alongside those who do not yet know you well, bear much fruit. Use them to kindle or renew faith in many hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Prune the hearts of our earthly rulers. Cut away the greed, pride, and lust for power that leads to hatred and violence. Build up all that enriches the lives of the poor and humble. Let the desire to do your Father’s will abide in all our hearts and minds.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have overcome the world. Be the joy and strength of all those who defend us against violence, sickness, and injustice. Protect and guide them. Prosper all they do that works for peace and health. Bring them home safely and soon.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to all who suffer a double portion of your Spirit, especially: {List}. Fill them with your life. Keep them steadfast in faith. Bless and strengthen all who care for them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, death shall never have the last word over those who abide in you. Thank you for speaking words of forgiveness and life to all who have died in you. Abide with us. Lead us to that place where we shall dwell with you and with all the redeemed, and shall feast at you heavenly Table forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20).

We humans worry about what the future will bring.  The future is not in our hands.  Sinners are in the world and they bring bad things into this world.  God brings grace and mercy.  The two will play against each other until the end of the age.  What then?  Only this: look to the Lord knowing that all things are in His hands.  Rejoice always in the Lord and live in His promise.

Lord teach me the simplicity of loving and living in Your presence and will.  Guide me away from fretting over things I can do nothing about, and help me to live into the hope You give through grace.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may now and always humbly abide in You and You in me.  Keep me close to You, knowing that all things, time included, are in Your hands.  Then lead me to live as one who is always in Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You have given us the example of how to live.  You knew You would die.  Unlike us, You knew where and how.  But You pressed on.  Lead me to learn how to press on so that I may live the life You have called me to live.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is all hope and the only future worth living.  Let me be afraid of nothing because I know You are with me and for me.  Amen.