Lessons and Suggested Hymns, 16th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19) – Christ the King Sunday September 12 – November 21, 2021
Lessons and Suggested Hymns,
16th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19) – Christ the King Sunday
September 12 – November 21, 2021
NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book)
WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book)
ELW – Evangelical Lutheran Worship (The Cranberry Book)
LSB – Lutheran Service Book (The Maroon 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 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.
Because some of the prayers of confession, as well as offertory and post-communion prayers, provided on certain resource pages lack theological heft or linguistic elegance, I have added some seasonal prayers that you are free to cut, paste, and revise as needed. They are modified from the copyright-free Online Book of Common Prayer, or are my own creation. These are found on the following pages. The regular prayers of intercession will, as usual, be provided weekly in their own Word documents.
For General/Green Season Use: A Brief Order of Confession and Holy Absolution
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son+, and of the Holy Spirit: Amen.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
For General/Green Season Use: The Gospel Acclamation (Spoken)
Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
OR
Alleluia. Your Word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia.
For General/Green Season Use: The Offertory Prayer
Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto
you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
OR
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we humbly offer to you the gifts of our treasures, talents, and time. Use them to you glory, and for the benefit of all your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For General/Green Season Use: The Great Thanksgiving and Proper Preface
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
For General/Green Season Use: The Eucharistic Prayer
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, with praise and thanksgiving. Recalling our Savior’s death, resurrection, and ascension, we pray that you would sanctify these gifts by your Holy Spirit, to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.
OR
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. By means of this holy bread and cup, we proclaim his death and resurrection, until he comes again. Gather us by this Holy Communion into one body in your Son Jesus Christ. Make us a living sacrifice of praise. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.
For General/Green Season Use: Post-Communion Prayer
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for feeding us with the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. Send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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September 12: 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19
Isaiah 50:4-10 (Suffering Servant’s humiliation and vindication)
RCL/ELW: Isaiah 50:4-9a (eliminates punishment of Suffering Servant’s accusers, and also the verse about obeying God while walking in darkness)
Psalm 116:1-9 (You deliver soul from death, eyes from tears, feet from stumbling)
James 3:1-12 (Taming the tongue)
Mark 9:14-29 (Jesus heals the boy with epilepsy)
RCL/ELW: Mark 8:27-38 (Peter’s confession, Jesus’ rebuke, following him involves self-denial)
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Opening hymn: Look, O Look, (Look Ye Saints) the Sight is Glorious LBW #156, LSB #495
Hymn of the Day: O Jesus, King Most Wonderful: LBW #537, LSB #554
OR In All Our Grief: ELW #615
OR, if using ELW lectionary, Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said: LBW #398, ELW #667
Communion Hymn #1: O Master, Let Me Walk With You: LBW #492, ELW #818
Communion Hymn #2: Oh, for 1000 Tongues to Sing: LBW #559, ELW #886, LSB #528
Closing Hymn: O God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #696
OR Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness: LBW #233, ELW #511, LSB #578
September 19: 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20
Jeremiah 11:18-20 (Jeremiah’s life threatened, like lamb led to slaughter)
Psalm 54 (Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate my by your might)
James 3:13-4:10 (Earthly versus heavenly wisdom and friendship)
RCL/ELW: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (Eliminates “Adulterers! Friendship with world isenmity with God,” and exhortation to lament sin, humble self that God may exalt)
Mark 9:30-37 (Passion prediction; argument over who is greatest)
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Opening hymn: Son of God, Eternal Savior: LBW #364, ELW #655, LSB #842
Hymn of the Day: Ah, Holy Jesus: LBW #123, ELW #349
OR The Son of God Goes Forth to War: ELW #183, LSB #661
OR Lamb of God (Your Only Son): ELW #336, LSB #550
Communion Hymn #1: Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love: WOV #765, ELW #708, LSB #980
Communion Hymn #2: Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless (Holy): LBW #111, ELW #357; LSB # 434
Closing Hymn: Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us: LBW #424, ELW #707, LSB #851
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September 26: 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 21
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (Israel kvetches to Moses. Moses kvetches to God. God appoints 70 to help him deal with aforementioned kvetching)
Psalm 104:27-35 (You give food in due season; your Spirit gives them breath)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 19:7-14: (God’s perfect law keeps one from sin; let words of mouth, meditation of heart be acceptable in his sight)
James 5:1-20 (Warning to rich oppressors; patience in suffering; prayers, anointing, and confession; bringing one back from sin a great thing)
RCL/ELW: James 5:13-20 (omits first 2 things)
Mark 9:38-50 (Who is not against me is for me; cup of cold water; solemn warning about temptations to sin)
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Opening hymn: Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading: WOV #687, ELW #401
OR Come Down, O Love Divine: LBW #508, ELW #804, LSB #501
Hymn of the Day: Lord, Whose Love in (through) Humble Service: LBW #423, ELW #712, LSB #848
OR Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: LBW #315, ELW #631, LSB #700
Communion Hymn #1: Amazing Grace: LBW #448, ELW #779, LSB #744
Communion Hymn #2: Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ: LBW #441, ELW #402, LSB #769
Closing Hymn: Praise the Lord! O Heavens, Adore Him: LBW #540, ELW #823
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October 3: 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 22
Genesis 2:18-25 (It is not good for the man to be alone; creation of woman)
Psalm 128 (The happy home of the faithful)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 8 (What is man, that you are mindful of him?)
Hebrews 2:1-18 (Pay attention to the message; if we ignore it, how can we escape penalty; Jesus tested in all things as we are, not ashamed to call us brothers; is our merciful high priest)
RCL/ELW: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 (Excellence of God’s Son; omits section from above on penalty for drifting from message of salvation)
Mark 10:2-16 (Teaching on divorce; let the children come to me)
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Opening hymn: O Blest, the House: LBW #512, LSB #862
(If tune is unfamiliar, use tune for LBW #51, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”)
OR Blest Be the Tie that Binds: LBW #370, ELW #656, LSB #649
Hymn of the Day: When Love is Found: WOV #749
OR Our Father, By Whose Name: LBW #357, ELW #640
OR O Father, All Creating LSB #858 (You might get the license if you don’t have LSB; it’s good for today’s texts AND for weddings! And the tune is Aurelia, The Church’s One Foundation)
Communion Hymn #1: O Christ, You Walked the Road: LSB #424
OR Children of the Heavenly Father: LBW #474, ELW #781, LSB #725
Communion Hymn #2: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name: LBW #328/329, ELW #634, LSB #549
Closing Hymn: O Christ, the Same: WOV #778, (ELW #760)
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October 10: 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 23
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 (seek good, not evil, that you may live)
Psalm 90:12-17 (Teach us to have wise heart; prosper our handiwork)
Hebrews 3:12-19 (Do not have evil, unbelieving heart; exhort against sin)
RCL/ELW: Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-22 (Rich man told to sell all, give to poor, and follow Jesus)
RCL/ELW: Mark 10:17-31 (adds disciples perplexity over leaving riches, wondering how they’ll be rewarded for following Jesus)
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Opening hymn: Blest are They: WOV #764, ELW #728, LSB #982
OR Take My Life, That I May Be: LBW #406, ELW #583, 685; Take My Life and Let It Be: LSB #783, 784
Hymn of the Day: Jesus, Priceless Treasure: LBW #457/458, ELW #775, LSB #743
OR Will You Come and Follow Me: ELW #798
Communion Hymn #1: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God: WOV #783, LSB #712
OR Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV #771, ELW #773, LSB #809
Communion Hymn #2: Praise and Thanksgiving: LBW #409, ELW #689, LSB #789
Closing Hymn: Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing: LBW #259, ELW #545, LSB #924
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October 17: 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (Pointlessness of amassing wealth)
RCL/ELW: Isaiah 53:4-12 (Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows)
Psalm 119:9-16 (How can young remain pure? Follow God’s commandments)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 91:9-16 (God promises deliverance to those whom he loves)
Hebrews 4:1-16 (Do not harden your hearts against God, lest you not enter his promised rest. God’s word sharper than 2-edged sword; we may confidently approach High Priest who has been tempted but did not sin)
RCL/ELW: Hebrews 5:1-10 (Great high priest, deals gently with us because he himself has suffered)
Mark 10:23-31 (Hard for rich to enter Kingdom; followers promised much – with persecution)
RCL/ELW: Mark 10:35-45 (James and John want special honors; true greatness is in suffering and serving as Jesus does)
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Opening hymn: Today Your Mercy Calls Us: LBW #304, LSB #915
OR O Christ, Your Heart, Compassionate: ELW #722
Hymn of the Day: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service: LBW #423, ELW #712, LSB #848
Communion Hymn #1: We Give Thee but Thine Own: LBW #410, ELW #686, LSB #781
Communion Hymn #2: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: LBW #482, ELW #803, LSB #425/426
Closing Hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory: LBW #415, ELW #705, LSB #850
OR Send Me, Lord (Jesus): ELW #809, WOV #773
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October 24: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 25
Jeremiah 31: 7-9 (God saves, consoles, and leads back the remnant of his people)
Psalm 126 (Israel’s fortunes restored; those who sowed in weeping bring in the sheaves with joy)
Hebrews 7:23-28 (Our perfect, great High Priest is the blameless eternal Son of God)
Mark 10:46-52 (Blind Bartimaeus is healed and follows Jesus on the way)
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Opening hymn: Father Most Holy, Merciful, and Tender: LBW #169, ELW #415, LSB #504
OR Let the Whole Creation Cry: LBW #242, ELW #876
Hymn of the Day: You Are the Way: LBW #464, ELW #758, LSB #526
Communion Hymn #1: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven: LBW #549, ELW #865, LSB #793
Communion Hymn #2: How Great Thou Art: LBW #532, ELW #856, LSB #801
Closing Hymn: Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing: LBW #562, ELW #841, LSB #964
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October 31: Reformation Sunday
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (God’s new covenant will be written on the heart)
Psalm 46 (The God of Jacob is our stronghold!)
Romans 3:19-28 (We are justified by faith, apart from works of the law)
John 8:31-36 (If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed)
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Opening hymn: A Mighty Fortress: LBW #228/229, ELW #503-505, LSB 656/657
Hymn of the Day: Thy Strong Word: LBW #233, ELW #511, LSB #578
OR Word of God Come Down on Earth: WOV #716, ELW #510, LSB #545
Communion Hymn #1: The Church’s One Foundation: LBW #369, ELW #654, LSB #644
Communion Hymn #2: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less: LBW #293/294, ELW #596/597, LSB #575/576
Closing Hymn: Built on a (the) Rock the Church Shall Stand: LBW #365, ELW #652, LSB #645
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November 7: All Saints’ Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9 (The feast; God wipes away tears, removes shame, destroys death)
Psalm 24 (Who ascends the holy hill of God, enters temple? Those with clean hands and pure hearts)
Revelation 21:1-6a (The new heaven and earth, New Jerusalem; death is no more)
John 11:32-44 (Jesus raises Lazarus)
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Opening hymn: For All the Saints: LBW #174, ELW #422, LSB #677
Hymn of the Day: Arise, My Soul, Arise: LBW #516, ELW #827
OR At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing: LBW #210, ELW #362, LSB #633
Communion Hymn #1: I Am the Bread of Life: WOV #702, ELW #845
OR Day by Day: WOV #746, ELW #790
OR Jesus Loves Me: ELW #595, LSB #588
Communion Hymn #2: Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng: LBW #553, LSB #813
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart: ELW #873/874
Closing Hymn: In Thee is Gladness: LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818
OR Go, My Children, With My Blessing: WOV #721, ELW #543, LSB #922
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November 14: 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28
Daniel 12:1-3 (Some will be raised to everlasting life, others to shame)
Psalm 16 (You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy)
Hebrews 10:11-25 (We have confidence to approach God, having been made clean. Let us persevere in faith)
Mark 13:1-13 (Jesus foretells destruction of Temple, persecution of his followers)
RCL/ELW: Mark 13:1-8 (Omits persecution and testimony)
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Opening hymn: When Morning Gilds the Skies (LBW #546, ELW #853, LSB #807
OR All Who Would Valiant Be: LBW #498
OR My Lord, What a Morning: WOV #627, ELW #438
Hymn of the Day: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word: LBW #230, ELW #517, LSB #655
OR O God of Youth: LBW #510 (I know, I know. Don’t know the tune. No substitutes available. It’s pretty straightforward, and the words are outstanding. If it just won’t sing, then have folks READ the words aloud together. I’m serious. The words are THAT GOOD!)
Communion Hymn #1: Jesus, Still Lead On: LBW #341, ELW #624; Jesus, Lead Thou On: LSB #718
Communion Hymn #2: Lord Take My Hand and Lead Me: LBW #333, ELW #767, LSB#722
Closing Hymn: O Savior, Precious Savior: LBW #514, ELW #820, LSB #527
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November 21: Christ the King Sunday
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 (Vision of the Son of Man)
Psalm 93 (The Lord is King, robed in majesty)
Revelation 1:4b-8 (Vision of the glorified Jesus)
John 18:33-37 (Jesus before Pilate: What is truth?)
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Opening hymn: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns: LBW #33, ELW #260, LSB #348
Hymn of the Day: Look, O Look, the Sight is Glorious: LBW #156;
Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious: LSB #495
OR O Christ, What Can it Mean for Us: ELW #431 (tune: The Son of God Goes Forth to War)
OR Praise Be to Christ: LSB #538
Communion Hymn #1: Soon and Very Soon: WOV #744, ELW #439
Communion Hymn #2: Jesus Shall Reign: LBW #530, ELW #434, LSB #832
Closing Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus: LBW #158, ELW #392, LSB #821
OR Crown Him with Many Crowns LBW #170, ELW #855, LSB #525
