The 2nd Half of the Season of Pentecost, Cycle A
September 10 – November 26, 2023
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 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.
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
(Note: both are prayers of Ignatius Loyola!)
Let us pray. Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.
OR
Let us pray. Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. All I have and call my own, You have given all to me; to you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, for
that is enough for me. 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.
September 10, 15th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18)
Ezekiel 33:7-11 (You are a sentinel, so warn those who sin. I do not desire the death of sinners, but that they turn to me and live)
Psalm 32:1-7 (The joy of confession and forgiveness of sin)
ELW/RCL: Psalm 119: 33-40 (Teach, lead, give me a heart to obey your commandments)
Romans 13:1-10 (Obey earthly rulers. Love fulfills all the commandments)
ELW/RCL: Romans 13:8-14 (No rulers mentioned. Love each other, put on Christ, for salvation is near!)
Matthew 18:1-20 (Become like a little child. Do not lead God’s little ones astray! Cut off whatever causes you to sin. God rejoices over penitent sinners. Discipline in the Church.)
ELW/RCL: Matthew 18:15-20 (Discipline in the Church)
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Opening Hymn: Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment (can be sung to tune for “Angels, From the Realms of Glory): LBW #556, LSB #511
OR Hark, a Thrilling Voice is Sounding (Ties in with OT and the ELW/RCL 2nd lesson):
LBW #37 (Danger, Will Robinson! This tune wanders over half the continent. Use Merton, like ELW, LSB, and SBH. OR use tune for LBW 549, Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven); ELW #246, LSB #345
Hymn of the Day: Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive, LBW #307, ELW #605, LSB #843
OR Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us: LBW #481 (Oh for pity’s sake, this tune is dorky too! Use “Bradbury” from SBH, also used in ELW and LSB – like decent people do!!!), ELW #789, LSB #711
Communion 1: Blest Be the Tie That Binds: LBW #370, ELW #656, LSB #649/975
Communion 2: Where Charity and Love Prevail: LBW #126, ELW #359, LSB #845
Closing Hymn: May We Your/Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill: LBW #353, LSB #698
OR O/In God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #745
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September 17: 16th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19)
Genesis 50:15-21 (Joseph forgives his brothers)
Psalm 103:1-13 (Bless the Lord, O my soul; he has not dealt with us according to our sins)
Romans 14:1-12 (Don’t quarrel with those weaker in faith over opinions;
whether we live or die, it’s unto the Lord)
Matthew 18:21-35 (Parable of the unforgiving servant)
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Opening Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (nice Psalm paraphrase):
LBW #543, ELW #858 Note: ELW #859 is the politically correct “re-translation”; LSB #790
OR (if you’re up for a challenging but dance-like tune and a paraphrase of the Psalm)
My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker: LSB #820
Hymn of the Day: Come Down, O Love Divine: LBW #508, ELW #804, LSB #501
OR Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us: LBW #424, ELW #707, LSB #851
Communion 1: I Lay My Sins on Jesus: LBW #305, LSB #606
OR Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal: ELW #464
OR Bless the Lord, O My Soul: WOV #798 (repeat as needed)
Communion 2: Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive: LBW #307, ELW #605, LSB #843
Closing Hymn: Son of God, Eternal Savior: LBW #364, ELW #655, LSB #842
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September 24: 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20)
Isaiah 55:6-9 (Seek the Lord; he will abundantly pardon, for his ways are not our ways)
ELW/RCL, Jonah 3:10-4:11 (Jonah’s ticked at God’s mercy; God’s rejoinder)
Psalm 27:1-9 (The Lord is my light and salvation, whom then shall I fear?)
ELW/RCL, Psalm 145:1-8 (Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised)
Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30 (Paul’s imprisonment. To live is Christ, to die is gain; only live lives worthy of your calling in Christ)
ELW/RCL, Philippians 1:21-30 (Eliminates imprisonment)
Matthew 20:1-16 (Parable of the 11th-hour workers in the vineyard)
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Opening Hymn: There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy: LBW #290, ELW #588
OR for a Hispanic paraphrase of Psalm 27, The Lord is My Light: LSB #723
OR Seek Where You May To Find A Way: LSB #557
Hymn of the Day: Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling: LBW #381, LSB #827
OR How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord (lovely, fairly familiar tune): LSB #853
Communion 1: For Me to Live is Jesus: LSB #742
OR O Jesus, I Have Promised: LBW #503, ELW #810
Communion 2: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service: LBW #423, ELW #712, LSB #848
Closing Hymn: Lord of All Hopefulness: LBW #469, ELW #765, LSB #738
OR Take My Life, That I May Be: LBW #406, ELW #583/685
Take My Life, and Let It Be: LSB #783/784
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October 1: 18th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 21)
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (you are responsible for your own sins; turn from them and live!)
Psalm 25:1-10 (Lead me in your truth and teach me!)
Philippians 2:1-18 (Be of one heart and mind – the mind of Christ; act without grumbling;
be his lights in this broken world, that Paul may boast in you!)
ELW/RCL, Philippians 2:1-13 (Eliminates personal reference)
Matthew 21:23-32 (By what authority does Jesus act? Parable of two sons who act contrary to
their words; which are you like?)
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Opening Hymn: (echoing Psalm) Lead Me, Guide Me: ELW #768, LSB #721
OR The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns (A good enough tune, but the tune for “O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing” may be more familiar and perky!): LBW #173, ELW #432, LSB #532
Hymn of the Day: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word: LBW #230, ELW #517, LSB #655
OR O Master, Let Me Walk with You: LBW #492, ELW #818
Communion 1: Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult: LBW #494, ELW #696
Communion 2: O God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, LSB #696
Closing Hymn: Strengthen for Service, Lord, the Hands: LBW #218, ELW #497
OR Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go (Not the most inspiring tune. The tune for “On Jordan’s Banks” is a fun substitute): LBW #505, LSB #854
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October 8: 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22)
Isaiah 5:1-7 (Love song about beloved vineyard turns to lament over its wild grapes)
Psalm 80:7-19 (Come to the aid of your vineyard, against those who trample it!)
ELW/RCL, Psalm 80:7-15
Philippians 3:4b-14 (My richest gains I count but loss because of surpassing excellence
of knowing Christ)
Matthew 21:33-46 (Parable of the wicked tenants in master’s vineyard)
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Opening Hymn: Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendor: LBW #418
OR Built on A/The Rock the Church Shall Stand: LBW #365, ELW #652, LSB #645
OR As Saints of Old Their Firstfruits Brought: LBW #404 (aw heck. I hate when great hymns are set to bad or difficult tunes. Use “Forest Green,” the jaunty English folk melody used for “I Sing the Almighty Power of God.” That’s what is used in ELW #695!), ELW #695
Hymn of the Day: There in God’s Garden: WOV #668, ELW #342
OR Ah, Holy Jesus: LBW #123, ELW #349
OR Fruitful Trees, the Spirit’s Sowing: LSB #691
Communion 1: Son of God, Eternal Savior: LBW #364, ELW #655, LSB #842
Communion 2: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: LBW #482, ELW #803, LSB #425/6
Closing Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation: LBW #369, ELW #654, LSB #644
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October 15: 20th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23)
Note: even if your practice isn’t to have weekly communion, you might want to make an exception today! 😉
Isaiah 25:6-9 (On God’s holy mountain, a feast of fat things; death shall be destroyed)
Psalm 23 (You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies)
Philippians 4:4-13 (Rejoice in the Lord always; think on things excellent, honorable;
thanks for Philippians’ gift)
ELW/RCL, Philippians 4:1-9, Stand fast in the Lord, rejoice, think on these things
Matthew 22:1-14 (The wedding feast…and its, er, substitute guest list)
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Opening Hymn: Arise, My Soul, Arise: LBW #516, ELW #827
OR Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee: LBW #551, ELW #836, LSB #803
Hymn of the Day: O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts: LBW #356, ELW #658
OR At the Lamb’s High Feast: LBW #210, ELW #362, LSB #633
OR O Living Bread From Heaven: LBW #197, ELW #542, LSB #642
OR The Feast is Ready: ELW #531
Communion 1: Come, Let Us Eat, For Now the Feast is Spread: LBW #214, ELW #491, LSB #626
Communion 2: Soul Adorn Yourself with Gladness: LBW #224, ELW #488/9, LSB #636
Closing Hymn: Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise: WOV #801, ELW #826, LSB #680
OR Sent Forth By God’s Blessing: LBW #221, ELW #547, LSB #643
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October 22: 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24)
Isaiah 45:1-7 (God anoints Cyrus on behalf of his Chosen People)
Psalm 96: 1-13 (Declare God’s glory among the nations, whose gods are but worthless idols)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Paul commends Thessalonians for turning from idols to Christ)
Matthew 22:15-22 (Render to Caesar, and to God, what is due each)
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Opening Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name: LBW #328/9, ELW #634, LSB #549
OR Come, All You People: ELW #819
Hymn of the Day: Holy God, We Praise Your Name: LBW #535, ELW #414, LSB #940
OR We Give Thee But Thine Own: LBW #410, ELW #686, LSB #781
Communion 1: On My Heart Imprint Your Image: LBW #102, ELW #811, LSB #422
Communion 2: Take My Life, That I May Be: LBW #406, ELW #583, 685, LSB #783/4
Closing Hymn: Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings: LSB #782 (really nice hymn!)
OR God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending: LBW #408, ELW #678
Note: if tune is unfamiliar, sing it to “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
October 29: Reformation Sunday
Revelation 14:6-7 (Angel with eternal Gospel: fear God, give glory, hour of judgment)
ELW/RCL, Jeremiah 31:31-34 (A new heart, engraved with God’s Word)
Psalm 46 (A mighty fortress is our God!)
Romans 3:19-28 (All have sinned, fallen short of God’s glory; but his righteousness is grasped
by faith, not works)
John 8:31-36 (If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed)
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Opening Hymn: Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty: LBW #250, ELW #533, LSB #901
Hymn of Praise: All Glory Be to God on High: LBW #166, ELW #410, LSB #947
Hymn of the Day: Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness: LBW #233, ELW #511, LSB #578
Communion 1: Word of God, Come Down on Earth: WOV #716, ELW #510, LSB #545
Communion 2: Now Thank We All Our God: LBW #534, ELW #839/840, LSB #895
Closing Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God:
LBW #228/9, ELW #504 (note, #505 is a gender-neutral version), LSB #656/7
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November 5: All Saints’ Sunday
Revelation 7:9-17 (Behold a host, arrayed in white! Blessing and honor and glory and power
be unto God and the Lamb!)
Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; look upon him and be radiant;
the Lord ransoms the lives of his servants)
1 John 3:1-3 (We are God’s children now; we shall be like Jesus, for we shall see him as he is)
Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes)
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Opening Hymn: For All the Saints: LBW #174, ELW #422 (note: it’s edited to be less martial), LSB #677
OR Blessing, Honor, Glory to the Lamb: ELW #433
Hymn of Praise: Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power: LBW #525, ELW #854
OR Alabare: WOV #791, LSB #799/800
OR Cantad Al Senor: WOV #795, ELW #822
Hymn of the Day: Behold the/a Host, Arrayed in White: ELW #425, LSB #676
Who Is this Host, Arrayed in White: LBW #314
OR Blest are They: WOV #764, ELW #728
Communion 1: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: LBW #315, ELW #631, LSB #700
Communion 2: Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior, Thee: LBW #199, LSB #640
Thee We Adore, O Savior, God Most True: ELW #476
Closing Hymn: Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng: LBW #553, LSB #813
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart: ELW #873/4
November 12: 24th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 27)
Amos 5:18-24 (Woe to those who desire the Day of the Lord! He despises your feasts
and sacrifices; let justice, righteousness roll down like streams of water)
Psalm 70 (Let those who seek you find deliverance)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Do not grieve as those without hope; Christ will come with trumpet)
Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the wise and foolish virgins)
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Opening Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers: LBW #25, ELW #244, LSB #515
Hymn of the Day: Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying: LBW #31, ELW #436 (funky translation warning!), LSB #516
Communion 1: Let Justice Roll Like Streams: WOV #763, ELW #717
OR Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise: LBW #526, ELW #834, LSB #802
Communion 2: My Lord, What a Morning: WOV #627, ELW #438, LSB #968
Closing Hymn: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less: LBW #293/4, ELW #596/597, LSB #575/6
OR Let Streams of Living Justice (great tune!): ELW #710
OR The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us: LSB #514
November 19: 25th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28)
Zephaniah 1:7-16 (The Day of the Lord comes as darkness and judgment for the complacent)
Psalm 90:1-12 (O God, our help in ages past! Teach us to number our days
and apply our hearts to wisdom)
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (Be sober, watchful – the Lord will come like a thief in the night;
therefore act as children of the day)
Matthew 25:14-30 (The parable of the servants given talents)
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Opening Hymn: Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending: LBW #27, ELW #435, LSB #336
OR Christ is Surely Coming: LSB #509
Hymn of the Day: The Night Will Soon Be Ending (great words and tune!): LSB #337
OR Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding: LBW #37 (I’m sure this is a worthy, though obscure, tune. MY advice: find something different, like “Merton,” used in ELW, LSB, and SBH. If you don’t have any of those hymnals for that ridiculously familiar tune, sing this hymn to “Omni Dei,” used for LBW #200, “For the Bread Which You Have Broken.”), ELW #246, LSB #345
OR (if NOT used on Oct. 22) We Give Thee But Thine Own: LBW #410, ELW #686, LSB #781
Communion 1: O God, Our Help in Ages Past: LBW #320, ELW #733 LSB #733
Communion 2: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: WOV #649, ELW #815 LSB #411
Closing Hymn: Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow: LBW #355, ELW #327
OR One Thing’s Needful; Lord, This Treasure: LSB #536, v. 1, 3-5
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November 26: Christ the King Sunday
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (God himself will be King and Shepherd to his people)
Psalm 95:1-7a (The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods)
Ephesians 1:15-23 (Glorious inheritance given those who believe in Christ,
whom the Father has exalted high above all rulers and authorities)
Matthew 25:31-46 (Parable of the Last Judgment and the sheep/goat divide)
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Opening Hymn: O God Beyond All Praising: WOV #797, ELW #880
OR Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor: LBW #172, LSB #534, ELW #475
Hymn of the Day: Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us: LBW #424, ELW #707, LSB #851
OR O Christ, What Can It Mean for Us (familiar tune) (ELW #431)
OR Jesus Shall Reign: LBW #530, ELW #434, LSB #832
Communion 1: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love: WOV #765, ELW #708 LSB #980
Communion 2: Beautiful Savior: LBW #518, ELW #838, LSB #537
Closing Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns: LBW #170, ELW #855, LSB #525
