Prayers, readings, and suggested hymns: January 28, 2024: 4th Sunday after Epiphany (Proper 3)
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (I will raise up a prophet, put my words in his mouth; listen to him alone)
Psalm 111 (God is faithful and just; praise him for his righteous deeds)
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Caring for brethren with weak consciences; eating food offered to idols)
Mark 1:21-28 (Jesus drives out a demon in Capernaum on Sabbath)
Opening hymn: Rise, Shine, You People!: LBW #393, ELW #665, LSB #825
Hymn of the Day: “Away From Us!” The Demon Cried: LSB #541 (tune: “In Christ There Is No East or West”)
OR Hope of the World, Thou Christ of Great Compassion: LBW #493 (You can sing this to hymn #84, “Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning,” a perfectly fine Epiphany hymn tune to boot!)
OR You are Mine: ELW #581 (It’s easier than it looks, honest!)
Communion Hymn #1: Son of God, Eternal Savior: LBW #364, ELW #655, LSB #842
Communion Hymn #2: O Savior, Precious Savior: LBW #514, ELW #820, LSB #527
Closing Hymn: O Jesus, King Most Wonderful: LBW #537, LSB #554
OR Praise, Praise! You Are My Rock: ELW #862 (a sprightly Herb Brokering hymn)
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
Holy God, thank you for being stronger than demons, doubts, and despair. Thank you for bold prophets, faithful teachers, gentle caretakers, and ordinary saints who serve you by mentoring, guiding, healing, and challenging us. Give us grace to go and do likewise.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Raise up in your Church leaders to speak your Word with boldness, clarity, and charity. Give its members hearts that listen with faith, obedience, and gladness. Give to those who have not heard or heeded your Word, ears to hear rightly, ponder patiently, and believe firmly.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give your persecuted disciples steadfastness, courage, and gentleness of heart, to rightly confess Christ before their enemies. By your mercy, bring their tormentors to repentant faith.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give your dearest blessings to this congregation, so that we always proclaim the strong saving love of Christ. Strengthen our families, and make them havens of grace and forgiveness.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Have mercy upon all who are tormented by mental illness; post-traumatic stress; substance abuse; or anything else that clouds minds, distorts personalities, and shatters souls. Give them release from whatever has demonic control over their lives. Restore peace, sanity, relationships and hope to them and to their loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Expel from this world the demons of hatred, violence, apathy, and injustice. Fill the hearts and minds of earthly leaders, and the people entrusted to their care, with your Spirit. Help us care for our neighbors, especially those who are despised and afflicted; and grant us your peace.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Grant strength, comfort, and hope to all who are wounded in body, mind, or heart, including {List}. Shield them from evil. Drive from them the demons of despair. Restore them to health and to the company of all who love them. Fill them with the blessed peace of your Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Father, keep safe all who have died trusting in you. Comfort those who mourn. Defend us in the presence of our enemies – sin, evil and death. Lead us into your eternal and glorious Sabbath rest, in which peace, wholeness and holiness adorn all whom you have redeemed.
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.
