Prayers, readings, and suggested hymns: January 14, 2024: 2^nd Sunday after Epiphany (Proper 1)

 

1 Samuel 3:1-20 (the call of Samuel to be a prophet)

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (I am fearfully and wonderfully made; you knew me in the womb)

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (the body made for the Lord; you are a temple for the Holy Spirit)

John 1:43-51 (Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel)

 

Opening hymn: Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty: LBW #250, ELW #533, LSB #901

OR Wondrous Are Your Ways, O God: LBW #311 (paraphrase of psalm, but tune wanders a bit.)

Hymn of the Day: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: WOV #649, ELW #815, LSB #411

OR “Come, Follow Me” the Savior Spake: LBW #455, ELW #799, LSB #688

OR Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens: LSB #589 (Ties Old Testament and Gospel together!)

Communion Hymn #1:, Take My Life, That I May Be/and Let It Be: LBW #406, ELW #583, 685; LSB 783/4

Communion Hymn #2: Blessed Assurance: WOV #699, ELW #638

Closing Hymn: The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve: WOV #723

OR God’s Word is Our Great Heritage: LBW #239, ELW #509, LSB #582

 

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

With gratitude for the gift of Christ, let us draw near to our heavenly Father in prayer, asking his mercy for the Church, the world, and all who need his loving-kindness.

A brief silence

 

Father, thank you for being patient with us! Thank you for calling us to be your disciples, prophets, teachers, servants, saints, and even fools for Christ. Thank you for using simple words to reveal profound truth. Help us to do the same as we share your Word with those who don’t know you well.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You called Samuel to be your prophet. Your Son called Philip and Nathaniel to be his disciples. Fill the Church with your Spirit, so it heeds Jesus’ call to follow him. Give it preachers, professors, and people who are faithful to your Word.  Us the Church to draw many to Jesus, the salvation of the whole world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Purify and perfect all who suffer on account of Christ. Lead them in your everlasting way. By their faithful witness, turn the hearts of their tormentor to repentant faith in you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless this congregation as we seek to do your will. Keep us steadfast in faith.  Conform us to Christ our Lord. Use us to bring the Gospel to those who need to hear it most.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We remember with gratitude the life, words, and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you for raising him up as your servant. Help us to honor him, and to glorify you, by finding good and gracious ways to extend the blessings of liberty, justice, and equality to all people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Shine the light of your wisdom into the hearts of earthly leaders. Teach them your ways. Take all wickedness from them, and use them to establish your will among all people. Help us to live in peace with our neighbors, striving always to outdo one another in showing honor, kindness, justice, and mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Send the power of your Holy Spirit into the hearts of all who suffer, especially {List}. Fill them with health and hope. Bless all who minister to them. Let the radiance of Jesus’ love gladden their hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, thank you for your servants who followed you in this life and now abide in your presence. Grant that we, too, heed your gracious invitation, given through your dear Son. Make us into living temples of your Spirit. Lead us into your presence with Samuel and all the faithful people of Israel; with Nathaniel and Philip and all the apostles, martyrs, and saints of your Church. Grant that, with them, we rejoice forever in the salvation you have accomplished for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers, readings, and suggested hymns: Epiphany and Baptism of Our Lord

Saturday, January 6, 2024: The Epiphany of Our Lord (White)

 

Isaiah 60:1-6 (Arise, shine, for your light has come! Israel gathered in; nations come and worship)

Psalm 72: 1-15 (Give the King your justice, O God; may he rule with righteousness)

ELW: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3:1-12 (Gentiles are now fellow heirs, sharers of the promise of salvation in Christ

Matthew 2:1-12 (Magi worship infant Jesus)

Opening hymn: Bright and Glorious is the Sky: LBW #75, ELW #301

Hymn of Praise: Let All Together Praise Our God: LBW #47, ELW #287LSB #389

Hymn of the Day: O Chief of Cities, Bethlehem: LBW #81 good sung to “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”

OR The Star Proclaims the King is Here (LSB #399) (same theme as “O Chief of Cities,” same meter, so if THIS tune is unfamiliar, you can also sing it to “From Heaven Above”!)

                OR As With Gladness Men of Old: LBW #82, ELW #302, LSB #397

Communion Hymn #1: Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning: LBW #84, ELW #303, LSB #400

Communion Hymn #2: We Three Kings of Orient Are: WOV #646

OR When Morning Gilds the Skies: LBW #546, ELW #853, LSB #807

Closing Hymn: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright: LBW #76, ELW #308, LSB #395

********************************************************

January 7, 2024: Baptism of Our Lord (white)

Note: churches may dither, transfer, or combine this feast with the epiphany.

Genesis 1:1-5 (God creates light)

Psalm 29 (the voice of the Lord upon the waters)

Acts 19:1-7 (baptism in name of Jesus)

Mark 1:4-11 (the Baptism of Jesus)

Opening hymn: Thy Strong Word Didst Cleave the Darkness: LBW #233, LSB #578

Hymn of Praise/prior to baptism or renewal of baptismal promises:

I Bind Unto Myself Today: LBW #188, ELW #450, LSB #604

Hymn of the Day: From God the Father, Virgin-Born: LBW #83, LSB #401

(Alternate tunes: The Doxology; From Heaven Above; Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word.)

OR When Jesus Came to Jordan: WOV #647, ELW #305

OR Remember and Rejoice: ELW #454 (very familiar tune)

OR Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized: ELW #304 (ditto!)

Communion Hymn #1: Praise and thanksgiving Be to God Our Maker: LBW #191 (tune is Father Most Holy)

OR We Were/Are Baptized in Christ Jesus: WOV #698, ELW #452

OR Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters: WOV #697

Communion Hymn #2: O Worship the King: LBW #548, ELW #842. LSB #804

Closing Hymn: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed: LBW #87, ELW #311. LSB #398

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

With gratitude for the gift of Christ, let us draw near to our heavenly Father in prayer, asking his mercy for the Church, the world, and all who need his loving-kindness.

A brief silence

Most holy God, give us ears to hear your voice above the floodwaters of this world. Give us lips to cry “Glory!” Give us hearts to love you above all things. Give us faith to trust you in all things.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fill the Church with your glory. Make it faithful in proclaiming your promise of salvation to those who do not know you. Let it rejoice when many repent, believe, and are joined to the Body of Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Guide, guard and bless your persecuted servants throughout the world. Let your Word be found on their lips and in their hearts. By their faithful witness, lead even their enemies to the light of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your Word thunder in this congregation. Let us cry “Glory,” proclaiming your Name in word and deed. Conform our lives to the image of Christ. Let his light shine brightly in all we say and do.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Pour your Spirit upon those who waver between doubt and faith, despair and hope, rebellion and repentance. Nudge them to take one small step of faith, even if it feels like a giant leap.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your Word shape the thoughts and actions of our leaders. Fill them with your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might. Remove hatred from our hearts, and give us peace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Be the shield of all who risk their lives for the sake of others. Give them wisdom and courage. Let the innocent and defenseless look to them for help. Bring them home in safety to their loved ones.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your living Word bring health, wholeness and hope to all who suffer, especially: {LIST}. Bless all who minister to them; and let the radiance of your Son’s love gladden their hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We thank you, Father, for your powerful voice that calls your servants from death into eternal life. Give comfort and strength to all who grieve. Protect and guide us, until we join those who dwell with you in the splendor of eternal light and life that you share with your Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His bond-servants the things which must soon take place” (Revelation 22:6).

You will either believe by faith that what the Lord has spoken is true, or else you will follow what the world says and think that all religion is simply a matter of evolving thoughts about the bigger questions.  Although some mix all of this up, the struggle is to simply believe that the God of all creation has spoken the words He wants spoken in His name.  You will either believe He will do these things, or else you will not.

Lord, it is true that I have received conflicting reports and believe all kinds of subjective things about these words set before me.  You have given the words of eternal life.  Help me to stop looking for all the answers, and now apply these words that You have given me.  Help me to stop wandering and start moving forward on the narrow path of faith that You alone can lead me upon.

Lord Jesus, it really does boil down to me either believing that You are God in the flesh and kneeling at Your feet, or else not believing any of it.  Help my unbelief so that I may stand firm and humbly walk with You, and live this life that You have given me, and follow the way You would have me live it.  No matter the order of things, or things that I do not anticipate that will happen, lead me always in the way of Your promises.  Amen.