“Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah” (Matthew 1:16).

Joseph, a carpenter, lived in the unrespected village of Nazareth.  Of the lineage of David, but now obscure.  The literal lineage mattered to fulfil prophecy?  Count on the Lord to cover all of the bases.  Mary too was of the lineage of David.  This point in time is one thousand years after David.  We are all related if one goes back far enough.  Such is human history.  Legitimate or illegitimate?  Is that not the real question that confronts us all?

Lord, in the clarity of reality, You present to us the ability to become legitimate by being adopted into Your family.  We come from the roots from which we come, but You are the One who calls us into a new life as children of God.  Let me not be hung up on the particulars, but learn to trust that You have covered things so well that there are many things most of us are probably unaware of.

Lord Jesus, You came in obscurity, but we all know the story.  What was covered is not in the full light of day.  So it will be for all of us.  Teach me to not worry about circumstances, but to live into the truth of what You have offered me in salvation.  Guide me in Your goodness Lord to live the life of faith into which I have been baptized.  May I humbly walk with You Lord knowing that all things are in Your hands.  Amen.

“After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel.  Zerubbabel fathered Abihud, Abihud fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Azor.  Azor fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud. Eliud fathered Eleazar, Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob” (Matthew 1:12-15).

After the deportation, the line was no longer royal, but became quite ordinary.  As it began, so it ended.  Is that not often the truth of the matter?  We tend toward pretense, when we are all just ordinary after all.  We are all connected and in our family tree are both those we admire and those whom we’d rather not be associated with.  We are, above all else, human right down to our toes.

Lord, it does take a dose of humility to bring me to the place where I realize that I am just like everyone else.  Guide me in the way You would have me go.  Lead me according to Your purpose so that I see that You love everyone equally, but never let me mistake that love as an excuse to sin away.  You paid the price with Your life on the cross so that I could be redeemed to live the new life.

Savior of my soul, whether I am at the top, or at the bottom in this world, I am where You have placed me.  Amidst the circumstances in which I find myself, guide me this day so that I may humbly walk in Your presence.  You are the author of my soul.  You are the One who paid the price to redeem me.  You are the One who has promised that You would make of me a child of the Heavenly Father.  Teach me to love and praise You now and forever.  Amen.

“Hezekiah fathered Manasseh, Manasseh fathered Amon, and Amon fathered Josiah.  Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon” (Matthew 1:10-11).

Once again, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Chronicles and Kings speak of the tenure of these kings.  There is a reason the Lord allowed the Israelites and Judah to be carried off into captivity.  The Lord was not trying to punish them so much as seeking to gain their attention.  What will it take to gain your attention so that you take seriously the faith you’ve been given.  Your hope is in the Lord, your Creator, Savior, and God.

Lord, how easy it is to shrug off history as boring and then turn right around and do the same dumb thing that leads to destruction.  This is the case presented by Scripture as we are told how the children of Abraham went about their business and ignored what You have taught us all.  I am no different.  Sometimes, in church, I may as well be in the place I am fantasizing about and give up my place to someone somewhere else who would desperately like to be in church, but cannot be.

Lord Jesus, You alone are the Savior of my soul.  You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  I follow the path of those who have gone before me and become bogged down by the cares of this world.  Help me dear Lord to take seriously the gift You have given me so that I may walk the path of faith You have prepared.  Guide me in the Gospel way to live into the life You offer.  Amen.

“Solomon fathered Rehoboam, Rehoboam fathered Abijah, and Abijah fathered Asa.  Asa fathered Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat fathered Joram, and Joram fathered Uzziah.  Uzziah fathered Jotham, Jotham fathered Ahaz, and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah” (Matthew 1:7-9).

Take a look at this list.  Many (most?) were bums who did not follow the way of the Lord.  From the wisdom of Solomon to the folly of selfish worldly men who did as they pleased, the world moved on.  Why do you wonder at the continual fall of Israel, or any people for that matter, when you see how easily we are corrupted?  This journey of faith is not easy, for each of us continuously fall from grace and into sin.

Lord, I love to look at wicked people and say, “I’m glad I am not like them.”  And then, I look in the mirror and encounter one who is equally a sinner.  Except for Your grace, I too could be as wicked as the most wicked people who have ever walked upon the earth.  Guide me in Your goodness to look to You, confess my sin, and humbly walk daily in the grace that You give me.  In my family lineage, grant that I be one who is faithful.

Lord Jesus, it begins with Your call to each one of us to come and follow You.  You know the path that is before us.  You know the things that are needed.  Guide me this day to humbly and simply do what You give me to do.  May I be in constant prayer with You, listening to what the Holy Spirit is telling me and walking without a care of what the world thinks of what I am doing in accordance with Your purpose.  Amen.

David fathered Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6b).

And it continues.  David was acting in the family way.  He had a child by a woman who had been another man’s wife.  But that is not the point here.  The world would call the child illegitimate, a bastard.  God redeems all who come to Him.  Though our sins be as scarlet, yet will the Lord wash our sins in His blood to make us clean.  The wisdom of Solomon, birthed in the folly of Solomon, shows us what a willingness to persevere can do.

Lord God, you created each one of us and You have said that we are wonderfully made.  I have spent too much time blaming and convincing myself why I cannot do something, but You show me time and again how You can do great things with people whom the world calls hopeless.  Who cares what the world thinks.  Lead me in Your goodness to believe that You are the God who resurrects to the land of the living those whom the world rejects.

You have said Lord Jesus that You are making all things new.  Make me new by Your grace so that I may become like You.  Continue to lead me Jesus in all things that come my way so that I may grow in this faith You have given me.  According to the Father’s will, let me not look for excuses, but for opportunities to live the life of faith You have given me knowing that You are making of me what You will.  Amen.

“Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez fathered Hezron, and Hezron fathered Ram.  Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon.  Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse.  Jesse fathered David the king” (Matthew 1:3-6a).

What an interesting lineage from Judah to David.  One prostitute, a daughter-in-law who slept with her father-in-law, and then there is Ruth.  The women are pointed out with purpose.  Everything in Scripture is with purpose.  Our God is a God of purpose who turns what the world says is bad – and it really is – and turns it to good for His purpose.  He will do the same with each one of us and make us to be like Christ.

We would like to pretend that ours is a normal family.  The truth is, it probably is not.  We all have in our family lineage dysfunction upon dysfunction.  The Lord chose no different for Himself.  It shows us, time and again, that humans are able to rise to the level of loving the Lord in spite of their background.  You too can do this.  It may seem impossible, but with God, all things are possible.

Lord Jesus, I need You.  You have called for me to be conformed to Your image.  You have shown me in Your word that others have done it.  Help me to overcome the obstacles of this world so that I may be conformed to Your image.  Guide me this day in grace so that I may walk humbly where You direct, doing what You give me to do throughout the day.  Lead me in Your goodness, Lord.  Amen.

Lessons and Suggested Hymns,

Ash Wednesday – Vigil of Easter, Cycle B

February 14 – March 30, 2024

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

A Brief Order of Confession and Holy Absolution for Lent

 

P: 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.

P: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,

C: Have mercy and hear us. Though we are poor sinful creatures, have mercy and hear us. Though we have turned from you and grieved you, have mercy and hear us. Though we have hardened our hearts against you and against our sisters and brothers, have mercy and hear us. Though we deserve judgment, wrath, and condemnation, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy and hear us. Forgive us, heal us, and save us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

P: God hates nothing that he has made and forgives the sins of all those who are penitent. He shall create in us new and contrite hearts, so that we who worthily lament our sins and acknowledge our wretchedness, may receive from him, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness. This he promises through Jesus Christ, his Son, who is our Lord, our Savior, and our righteousness forever. AMEN.

 

A Spoken Gospel Acclamation for Lent:

 

                C: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

 

An Offertory Prayer/ Prayer of Self-Dedication for Lent

P: Let us pray.

C: {this is adapted from The Imitation of Christ: Regulating Speech and Conduct}

O Lord, let all I say and do be done as you want. Give me what you want; put me where you want; and use me freely in all things. Lord, may your holy will be behind all my actions and desires. May I always want and seek what is most pleasing to you. Amen.

 

OR:

C: What can we render to you, Lord, for all your benefits to us? All we have is yours. Our lives are in your hands. Receive, hallow, and use our time, talents, and treasures, for the love of your Son and the benefit of those he came to save. Amen.

 

A Proper Preface for Lent

 

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. You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you.. 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:

A Eucharistic Prayer for Lent

 

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.”

Sanctify these gifts of bread and wine 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.

 

A Post-Communion Prayer for Lent

 

P: Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God,

C: You have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life. Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive these his inestimable gifts, and also daily endeavor to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

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A Brief Order of Confession and Holy Absolution for the Easter Season

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.

Lord Jesus, our risen Savior,

We confess to you our sinfulness. We believe anyone and anything but your holy Word. We prefer easy lies to hard truth. We are quick to judge, condemn, and exclude, but slow to forgive. We have lived for this world alone, and doubted our home in heaven. In your mercy, forgive us. In your goodness, resurrect us. Amen.

 

Our Savior Christ comes with healing, forgiveness, and life in his wounded hands. He breathes his Holy Spirit upon us, kindling renewed faith, hope, and love. Receive all he gives with humble joy, and share them with warm generosity, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

A Gospel Acclamation for the Easter Season

Alleluia. I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me. Alleluia.

An Offertory Prayer/Prayer of Self-Dedication for the Easter Season

P: Let us pray.

C: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our strength and our song. We gladly lay before you everything we have received from you: our lives, our time, our treasures, and our talents. Use all we have and all we are to glorify you and show your love to those who need it most.

 

OR:

 

C: 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.

 

A Proper Preface for the Easter Season

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. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us 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:

A Eucharistic Prayer for the Easter Season

We give thanks to you almighty God, through your beloved son Jesus Christ, whom you sent to us in former times as Savior, Redeemer, and Messenger of your Will. He is your inseparable Word, through whom you made all things, and in whom you were well-pleased. You sent from heaven into the womb of a virgin, who, being conceived within her, was made flesh, and appeared as your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary. It is he who, fulfilling your will and acquiring for you a holy people, extended his hands in suffering, in order to liberate from sufferings those who believe in you. Who, when he was delivered to voluntary suffering, in order to dissolve death, and break the chains of the devil, and tread down hell, and bring the just to the light, and set the limit, and manifest the resurrection, taking the bread, and giving thanks to you, said, “Take, eat, for this is my body which is broken for you.” Likewise the chalice, saying, “This is my blood which is shed for you. Whenever you do this, do this in memory of me.”

Therefore, remembering his death and resurrection, we offer to you the bread and the chalice, giving thanks to you, who has made us worthy to stand before you and to serve as your priests. And we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit upon your Holy Church. In their gathering together, give to all those who partake of your holy mysteries the fullness of the Holy Spirit, toward the strengthening of the faith in truth, that we may praise you and glorify you, through your son Jesus Christ, through whom to you be glory and honor, Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit, in your Holy Church, now and throughout the ages of the ages.

Amen. AMEN.

A Post-Communion Prayer for the Easter Season

P: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, C: We thank you for your great gift of love, your Son Jesus Christ. May we who have received his body and blood bear the light of his love into the world, to your glory and for the healing of our world. Amen.

 

 

February 14, 2024: Ash Wednesday, B

 

Joel 2:12-19 (Rend you heart, not your garments)

RCL/ELW: Joel 2:12, 12-17, OR Isaiah 58:1-12 (True fasting is doing justice)

 

Psalm 51:1-19 (Create in me a clean heart, O God)

 

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 (Ambassadors for Christ; now is the acceptable time

 

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (Prayer, fasting, alms that are acceptable to God)

 

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Opening Hymn (may be omitted if Psalm 51 is spoken or chanted here):

I Want Jesus to Walk With Me: WOV #660, ELW #325

OR When in the Hour of Deepest Need, v. 1-4: LBW #303 (Tune may be unfamiliar. Substitute tune

 for “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word,” LBW #230)

 

Hymn of the Day: Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive: LBW #307, ELW #605, LSB #843

 

OR O Sun of Justice: WOV #659 (2^nd verse great if you preach on 2 Corinthians text; tune is simple plainsong chant, or sing this to the Doxology)

 

Communion 1: Restore in Us, O God: ELW #328

               

OR O Christ, Thou Lamb of God: LBW #103

 

Communion 2: Today Your Mercy Calls Us: LBW #304, LSB #915

 

OR Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling: WOV 734, ELW #608

 

Closing Hymn: Strengthen for Service, Lord: LBW #218, ELW #497

OR When in the Hour of Deepest Need, v. 5-6: LBW #303

 

 

 

 

February 18, 2024, 1^st Sunday in Lent, B

 

Genesis 22:1-18 (The near-sacrifice of Isaac)

 

RCL/ELW: Genesis 9:8-17 (God’s rainbow covenant with Noah)

 

Psalm 25:1-10 (Be mindful of your mercy; do not remember the sins of my youth)

 

James 1:12-18 (God doesn’t tempt evil deeds; all good gifts come from Father of lights)

               

RCL/ELW: 1 Peter 3:18-22 (Christ suffered for all; the Flood points to baptism)

 

Mark 1:9-15 (Temptation in the wilderness)

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Opening hymn: O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days: LSB #99, ELW #319, LSB #418

OR The Glory of These Forty Days: ELW #320

OR Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v.1-3; verse for Lent 1; end with “General” verse: ELW #334

Hymn of the Day: What a Friend We Have in Jesus: LBW 439, ELW #742, LSB #770

OR Lead Me, Guide Me: ELW #768, LSB #721

Communion Hymn #1: Oh Love, How Deep: LBW #88, LSB #544, ELW #322

 

Communion Hymn #2: Jesus, Still Lead /Lead Thou On: LBW #541, ELW #624, LSB #718

Closing Hymn: A Mighty Fortress: LBW #228/9, ELW #503-505, LSB #656/7

OR The Lamb, the Lamb: LSB #547

OR Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809

 

 

 

February 25, 2024: 2nd Sunday in Lent, B

 

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 (God makes everlasting covenant with Abraham and Sarah)

 

Psalm 22:23–31 (All nations, those who sleep in the earth shall bow before God  and praise him)

 

Romans 5:1-11 (Justified, we have peace with God, boast in sufferings. Christ dies for the ungodly)

               

RCL/ELW: Romans 4:13-25 (God’s promise to Abraham received by faith)

 

Mark 8:27-38 (Peter’s confession; passion prediction; Christ’s rebuke; take up your cross and follow me)

RCL/ELW: Mark 8:31-38 (only the section on taking up cross and following)

 

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Opening hymn: Chief of Sinners Though I Be: LBW #306, ELW #609, LSB #611

OR The God of Abraham Praise: LBW #544 v. 1-4, 9-11; ELW #831 v. 1-4, 7-8; LSB #798 v. 1-4, 8-9

Hymn of the Day: Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart: LBW #325, ELW #750, LSB #708

OR Eternal Lord of Love, Behold Your Church: ELW #321(Good words; tune is the same as for “Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.”)

Communion Hymn #1: When Peace, Like a River: LBW #346; ELW #785; LSB  #763

OR Just A Closer Walk with Thee: ELW #697

Communion Hymn #2: One There Is, Above All Others: LBW #298

Closing Hymn: Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus: LBW #487, ELW #802, LSB #685

OR I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus: LBW #460, LSB #729

OR Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v.1-3; verse for Lent 2; end with “General” verse: ELW #334

 

 

 

March 3, 2024, 3rd Sunday in Lent, B

 

Exodus 20:1-17 (God gives Israel the 10 Commandments)

 

Psalm 19 (Heavens tell the glory of God; his law is perfect, reviving the soul)

 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (Message of Cross is foolish, weak; but is God’s wisdom, strength)

 

John 2:13-25 (Jesus cleanses the Temple)

 

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

 

OR O Sing to God Above: WOV #726, ELW #555 (Simple, singable Hispanic hymn that ties into Psalm)

OR Word of God, Come Down on Earth: WOV #716, ELW #510, LSB #545

Hymn of the Day: Built on a/the Rock the Church Shall Stand: LBW#365, ELW #652, LSB #645

OR These Are the Holy Ten Commands:  LSB #581

OR Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v.1-3; verse for Lent 3; end with “General” verse: ELW #334

 

Communion Hymn #1: In the Cross of Christ I Glory: LBW #104, ELW #324, LSB #427

Communion Hymn #2: God Himself is Present: LBW #249, LSB #907

Closing Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: LBW #482, ELW #803, LSB #425, 426

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 2024, 4th Sunday in Lent, B

 

Numbers 21:4-9 (The bronze serpent; look upon it and live)

 

Psalm 107:1-9 (Wanderers in desert wastes cry to the Lord; he delivers them

from their trouble)

 

Ephesians 2:1-10 (Dead in sin, now made alive in Christ by the grace of God)

 

John 3:14-21 (As Moses lifted up the serpent, so Son of Man is lifted up)

 

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Opening hymn: What Wondrous Love is This: LBW #385, ELW #666, LSB #543

Hymn of the Day: God Loved the World, So That He Gave (if tune is unfamiliar, you can substitute the melody

of “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” or, as ELW pairs it, to “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)

LBW #292, ELW #323, LSB #571

OR Lift High the Cross: LBW #377, ELW #660, LSB #837

Communion Hymn #1: Amazing Grace: LBW #448, ELW #779, LSB #744

Communion Hymn #2: My Faith Looks Up to Thee: LBW #479, ELW #759, LSB #702

OR Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v.1-3; verse for Lent 4; end with “General” verse: ELW #334

Closing Hymn: Guide Me Ever/O Thou Great Redeemer: LBW #343, ELW #618, LSB #918

 

 

 

 

March 17, 2024, 5th Sunday in Lent, B (Also St. Patrick’s Day; hence a closing hymn choice)

 

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (God promises to put his law in his peoples’ hearts)

 

Psalm 119:9-16 (I will delight in your statutes and meditate on your Word)

               

RCL/ELW: Psalm 119:9-16 or Psalm 51:1-12, (Have mercy on me; create in me a clean heart)

 

Hebrews 5:1-10 (Jesus, as High Priest knows our weakness; learned obedience  through suffering,

became the salvation of all who obey him)

 

Mark 10:32-45 (Passion prediction; “can you drink from my cup?”; those who wish  to be greatest must become least; Son of man came not to be served but to serve, give his life as ransom for many)

                               

RCL/ELW: John 12:20-33 (We wish to see Jesus; when  lifted up, he draws all people to himself)

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Opening hymn: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less:  LBW #293/4, ELW #596/597, LSB #575/576

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

OR Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus: LSB #529

OR (if following ELW  & didn’t sing last week) Lift High the Cross: LBW #377; ELW #660, LSB #837

Communion Hymn #1: On My Heart Imprint Your Image LBW #102, LSB #422, ELW #811

Communion Hymn #2: Glory Be to Jesus: LBW #95, LSB #433

Closing Hymn: O Christ, the Same (Tune is “O Danny Boy!”): WOV # 778, ELW #760

OR O God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #696

OR Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v.1-3; verse for Lent 5; end with “General” verse: ELW #334

 

 

March 24, 2024, Palm/Passion Sunday, B

 

 

Processional Gospel: John 12:12-19 (Entry into Jerusalem)

               

RCL/ELW: John 12:12-16 or Mark 11:1-11)

 

Zechariah 9:9-12 {Behold your lowly King!)

               

RCL/ELW: Isaiah 50:4-9a (Suffering Servant’s humiliation and vindication)

 

Psalm 31:9-16 I hear the whispering of many; they plot to take my life. ¹⁴I trust you, Lord; You are my God.

 

Philippians 2:5-11(Christ has humbled himself and become obedient unto death

 

Mark 14:26-15-47 {Passion narrative)

 

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Processional hymn: All Glory, Laud and Honor: LBW #108, ELW #344, LSB #442

OR Prepare the Royal Highway: LBW #26, ELW #264, LSB #343

Hymn of the Day: Come, O Precious Ransom (This is really a great hymn for today. It can be sung to tune for

 “Holy God, We Praise Your Name.”) LBW #24

Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come: LSB #350   

OR Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed: LBW #98, ELW #337, LSB #437

Communion Hymn #1: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: ELW #335

OR Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow: LSB #428

Communion Hymn #2: Beneath the Cross of Jesus: LBW #104, ELW #338

Closing Hymn: Ride on, Ride on In Majesty: LBW #121, ELW #346; LSB #441, different tune

OR O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: LBW #116/117, ELW #351/352, LSB #449/450

 

 

 

Thursday, March 28, 2024: Maundy Thursday, B

 

For foot-washing: John 13:1-7, 31b-35

 

Exodus 24:3-11 (Moses reads aloud the covenant; the people promise to abide by it; the

70 elders eat in the presence of God)

               

ELW: Exodus 12:1-14 (First Passover instituted)

 

Psalm 116:12-19 (What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants)

 

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (This bread is the body of Christ; we are all one body)

               

ELW: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (Institution of the Lord’s Supper)

 

Mark 14:12-26 (The Last Supper)

 

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Opening hymn: Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior, Thee: LBW #199, LSB #640

Thee We Adore, O Savior, God Most True: ELW #476 

Foot-Washing Hymn: Where Charity and Love Prevail: LBW #126, ELW #359, LSB #845

OR Love Consecrates the Humblest Acts: LBW #122, ELW #360

OR Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love: WOV #765, ELW #708

Hymn of the Day: Lord, Who the Night You Were Betrayed Did Pray: LBW #306, ELW #463 (I love the tune but it may be unfamiliar to many. There’s no good substitute. I may do this as a spoken “hymn prayer,” alternating me/congregation or men/women speaking each verse in turn.)

OR By Your Hand You Feed Your People: ELW #469

OR When You Woke That Thursday Morning: LSB #445 (Wowza. Wonderful text by Jaroslav Vajda. Tune is very singable -“Joyous Light,” the Marty Haugen tune used in WOV Evening Prayer service. Really a nice hymn. Consider getting a 1-time permission from CPH for this.)

Communion Hymn #1: For the Bread Which You Have Broken:  LBW #200, ELW #494

Communion Hymn #2: O Bread of Life from Heaven: LBW #222, ELW #480

Closing Hymn: If it’s not a chanted version of Psalm 22, try It Happened on That Fateful Night: LBW #122 (if tune is unfamiliar, use the melody for “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”)

 

OR Go to Dark Gethsemane LBW #109, ELW #437, LSB #436

 

 

Friday, March 29, 2024: Good Friday, B

 

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows….)

 

Psalm 22 or Psalm 31 (Psalms of the Passion)

 

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 (Again, Jesus our gentle and obedient High Priest;

he offered up loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death)

               

ELW: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, OR Hebrews 10:16-25 (God remembers sin no

more; let us approach with bodies and hearts sprinkled clean)

 

John 18:1-19:42(The Passion According to St. John)

 

 

Since many people use very different services, I’m just offering hymn possibilities:

O Sacred Head LBW #116/117: ELW #351/352, LSB #449/450

Ah, Holy Jesus! How Hast Thou Offended: LBW #123, ELW #349

The 15-verse alternative translation is O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken, LSB #439.

I commend it to you, especially if you use selected verses between sections of the passion reading

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: LBW #482, ELW #803, LSB #425/426

Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle: LBW #118, ELW #355/356 LSB #454;

There in God’s Garden: WOV #668, ELW #342

The Tree of Life: LSB #561

Jesus, Your/Thy Blood and Righteousness: LBW #302, LSB #563

They Crucified My Lord: ELW #350

 

 

 

 

Saturday, March 30, 2024: The Vigil of Easter, B

 

For the Service of the Word portion: The great acts of salvation, as taken shamelessly from the ELW periscope If fewer than 12 readings (snort) are used,

make sure to use the ones marked with an asterisk

 

*Genesis 1:1-2:4a: Creation

               

Response: Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

               

OR How Marvelous God’s Greatness LBW #515, ELW #830 (Easy Swedish tune)

 

 

Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13: The Great Flood

               

Response: Psalm 46

 

OR Thy Holy Wings WOV #741, ELW #613

 

 

Genesis 22:1-18: God tests Abraham, commanding him to sacrifice his son

               

Response: Psalm 16

               

OR God Loved the World (So That He Gave) (Even I don’t know the tune in LBW,

so use the tune suggested in ELW, used often for “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”)

                LBW #292, ELW #323, LSB #571

 

 

*Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21: Deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea

               

Response: Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18

               

OR Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer LBW #343, ELW #618, LSB #918

               

OR The God of Abraham Praise, v. 1, 3, 5 LBW #544, ELW #831, LSB #798

 

 

*Isaiah 55:1-11: Salvation freely offered to all

               

Response: Isaiah 12:2-6

               

OR I’ve Just Come From the Fountain WOV #696

 

 

Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6: The wisdom of God

               

Response: Psalm 19

 

OR Let All Things Now Living LBW #557, ELW #881

 

 

Ezekiel 36:24-28: God promises to give a new heart and spirit to his people

               

Response: Psalms 42 and 43 (combine them)

               

OR As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams LBW #452

               

OR As the Deer Runs to the River ELW #331

 

 

Ezekiel 37:1-14: The valley of the dry bones

               

Response: Psalm 143

               

OR O Happy Day When We Shall Stand LBW #351, ELW #441

 

 

Zephaniah 3:14-20: The gathering of God’s people

               

Response: Psalm 98

               

OR Joy to the World (hey why not?!) LBW #39, ELW #267, LSB #387

 

 

Jonah 1:1-2:1: Jonah’s faithlessness and deliverance

               

Response: Jonah 2:2-9

               

OR Great is Thy Faithfulness WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809

 

 

Isaiah 61:1-4, 9-11: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” to proclaim good news to

all who suffer; God clothes his servant in the garments of salvation

               

Response: Deuteronomy 32:1-4, 7, 36a, 43a

               

OR In Thee Is Gladness LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818

 

 

*Daniel 3:1-29: Shadrach, Meshach, and a Bean to Go (www.abeantogo.com. Great coffee.

Motto: “Master Roasted Never Burnt”!)  are delivered from the fiery furnace

 

Response: Song of the Three (LBW Canticle #18)

 

OR All Creatures of Our God and King LBW #527, ELW #835 (de-gendered, de-kinged –

it’s All Creatures of Our God Most High)

 

 

During the order for Holy Baptism or Affirmation of Baptism

 

The Litany of the Saints (ELW Service Music, #237) may be sung

 

The Service of Holy Communion

 

Romans 6:3-11: We are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ:

dead now to sin, alive in Christ!

 

John 20:1-18: John and Peter race to the tomb; Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus

 

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Hymn of the Day: We Know That Christ is Raised and Dies No More

                LBW #189, ELW #449, LSB #603

 

Hymn During Communion: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

                LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

 

Closing Hymn: This Joyful Eastertide WOV #676, ELW #391, LSB #482

“Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers” (Matthew 1:2).

Most of the Book of Genesis is about these three men and the faith which called them to the Lord.  In the rest of Scripture, we hear, “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  We also hear that through the line of Judah, Messiah would be born.  Looking back, we see promise after promise fulfilled by the Lord.  This should be an encouragement to you, for our God fulfills His promises.  Trust in the Lord above all!

Lord, I have heard the story of father Abraham from a very young age.  It has become so familiar that I often do not give it a second thought.  Teach me that every message in Your word matters.  I come from a long lineage, even if most of it has been forgotten.  I too have been given Your grace.  Guide me away from being dismissive toward an attitude that pays attention to all that You offer.

Word of God made flesh, born of a woman as all of us humans have been, You have placed me in the promise of Your salvation.  Lead me as I am, with all of what I have inherited, to come with You in faith.  Through Your grace, enable me to humbly walk with You, yet boldly walk in the turmoil of this sinful world.  Help me now and always to know my place in Your kingdom.  By faith, through grace, You have promised that I will be with You forever.  Amen.

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

Genealogy is important, for it is that which connects us together.  God, who sees all moments as now, sees us in the lineage to which we have been born.  When We read Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, we see a connection of family, generation after generation.  At the end of the day, they were either faithful to the Lord, or else, as the majority were, unfaithful and sinned against the Lord.

Lord, I too come from a long lineage, only I cannot tie my name back to Adam and Eve as some are able to do.  But, I too am a descendent of my first parents who chose to sin.  I have inherited sin.  I do not need to remain there.  Regardless of what my parents have done, I need not choose to remain in sin.  I can receive the grace of Jesus and be one of the few who follows the way of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, You came into life in this world in a family just as I did.  You who are God in the flesh chose time and space and dwelt amongst us for our sake.  Through all of the mystery that surrounds why You would do this, help me to not lean upon the modern idea of excusing my sin by blaming my family, but instead, follow the offer You give to come by grace and live the new life that You give.  Amen.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:21).

It is no small statement for our Lord and Savior to speak His grace into us.  He died that we might have the forgiveness of sin and the ability to repent, turn, and come to Him as we are so that He would make of us, children of the Heavenly Father.  Without His grace, we are doomed.  By His grace, we are empowered to live the journey of becoming like Christ.  Receive His grace and walk in forgiveness.

Our sins are forgiven, but that does not mean that we go on sinning without care.  We have been given a new life and that new life is one that seeks to be obedient to all that our Savior has commanded.  To receive grace is to have faith that the Lord’s grace will bring about healing.  To act as if you are being healed is to believe that our Lord has given you the words of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken these things and awakened faith in me.  Help my unbelief so that I do not sit and do nothing, but follow where You lead.  Thank You for the grace which I have received.  Lead me to humbly learn as the Holy Spirit guides me in preparation for that day when, at long last, I shall meet You face to face.  Between now and then, may I be found faithfully walking in the grace You have given me.  Amen.