Prayers, 6th Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (May 4, 2024)
Acts 10:34-48 (Peter preaches to Gentiles, who receive Holy Spirit and are baptized)
ELW: Acts 10:44-48 (having preached to them 2 weeks ago 😉, Peter baptizes Gentiles)
Psalm 98 (Let all creation praise the Lord, the Judge of the world!)
1 John 5:1-8 (We love God’s children as we love him, obey his commandment, believe Jesus is his Son.)
ELW: 1 John 5:1-6 (stops short of obeying his commandments…)
John 15:9-17 (Love each other as I have loved you. You didn’t choose me, I chose you to bear much fruit)
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Opening hymn: All People That on Earth Do Dwell: LBW #245, ELW #883, LSB #791
OR This is the Spirit’s Entry Now: LBW #195, ELW #448, LSB #591
Hymn of the Day: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: LBW #315, ELW #631, LSB #700
OR Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round: LBW #373 (The words are gorgeous, fit Epistle and Gospel)
Communion Hymn #1: In Christ There Is No East or West: LBW #359, ELW #650, LSB #653
Communion Hymn #2: O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts: LBW #356, ELW #658
Closing Hymn: O Savior, Precious Savior: LBW #514, ELW #820, LSB #527
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THE PRAYERS
Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.
A brief silence
Lord Jesus, you’ve chosen us to love you and one another, and to bear your love into the world. The world needs you so much! Make us faithful and fruitful, so we help nourish hearts starved for your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless your Church with the powerful presence of your Holy Spirit. Fill it with your love. Nourish it with Word and Sacrament. Through it, let the world see, desire, and dwell in your love forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Cheer the hearts and strengthen the spirits of all who are persecuted for your Name’s sake. Use their witness to cause many to repent and believe in you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless the people of this congregation with faith, hope, and charity. Fill us with wisdom and prudence. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit, make us glad to obey your commandments.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless this beautiful creation with all it needs to flourish. Make us wise stewards of it, especially the creatures entrusted to our care. May everything you have made praise and glorify you!
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fill our elected and appointed leaders with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might. Teach them to love justice; to act with mercy toward the poor and hungry in their lands; and to walk humbly before your Father. Grant to all people the blessings of peace and unity on earth.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless all who protect life, health, and freedom. Grant them wisdom and integrity. Let their labors help create a safe, just world where the innocent may live in peace. Help us to honor their service.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant your life-giving Spirit to all who cry to you for help, including: {List}. Grant them wholeness of body and mind; confident hope in your goodness, and the peace which the world cannot give them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing, forgiving, and saving the faithful who have gone before us. Grant that in this life, we may bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gather us into your Kingdom, where those fruits will be perfected, to your glory and to the delight of all the redeemed.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
