Prayers, Lessons, and Hymns, June 2: 2^nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 4

 

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (You were slaves, God freed you, so let everyone rest on Sabbath.

Psalm 81:1-10 (Sing to God, listen to him who freed you, eased burdens, admonishes you. You shall have no other god than him!.

2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (Apostles proclaim Christ crucified, not themselves. They contain treasure in clay pots, carrying death of Christ so that his life may be shown to others)

Mark 2:23-28 (3:1-6) (Son of Man is Lord of Sabbath, which was made for man. Jesus heals man with withered hand)

Opening Hymn: Morning Has Broken: WOV # , ELW #556

OR We Praise You, O God: LBW #241, ELW #870, LSB #785

Hymn of the Day: O Day of Rest and Gladness: LBW #251, ELW #521, LSB #906

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

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

Communion Hymn #2: This is the Day the Lord Has Made: LSB #903

OR God Himself is Present: LBW #249, LSB #907

OR Jesus, We Are Gathered/Come and Fill Our Hearts: ELW #529 and 528 (Note, these are 2 very short, 1 verse hymns. During Communion, you could alternate them repetitively, or do one a few times before going to the other. Note, however, key signatures may be awkward! Feel free to use just one!)

Closing Hymn: Savior, Again to Your/Thy Dear Name: LBW #262, ELW #534; LSB #917

Let us come before the Throne of Mercy with our prayers for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting us to share your Sabbath rest. Thank you for healing, refreshment, and your own dear presence in your precious Son. By your Holy Spirit, give us grace to cherish the Sabbath and gladly draw nearer to you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make your Church a place of rest and gladness, forgiveness and mission, fellowship and faithfulness. Use it to teach all people words of prayer, praise, and thankfulness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant refreshment and strength to persecuted Christians and Jews throughout the world. Ease their burdens and soften the hearts of their enemies, for your Name’s sake.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Adorn this congregation with the beauty of holiness and the glory of Jesus’ amazing grace. Help us invite and lead many friends, neighbors, and family members to share a closer walk with their Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We remember before you everyone whose work is difficult, dangerous, long, and undervalued in the eyes of the world. We pray especially for those who even this day experience forms of slavery and forced labor. Protect them from harm. Deliver them from evil. Free them from bondage. Grant them a just reward for their work. Help us to work for these great good things, as we are able.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give integrity, honor, wisdom, and prudence to our elected and appointed leaders, in this country and throughout the world. Establish them – their thoughts, words, and actions – in righteousness, justice, and truth. Remind them that they shall account for their stewardship of authority and power before you, the Lord of all nations.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant release, refreshment, and healing to everyone held captive to suffering of body, mind, heart, or soul. This day we remember before you: {List}. Deliver them from whatever afflicts them. Let them fulfil the work you would have them do, and rejoice in the rest you bid them share.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Father, thank you for gathering our beloved dead into the eternal Sabbath of your Kingdom. Refresh and comfort all who are burdened by sorrow. Grant us strength and faith to be workers in that same Kingdom throughout our mortal days. And according to Jesus’ promise, open to us the doors of your heavenly home, where with all the faithful we will rest in your love and where knowing and worshiping you will be our joyous work forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers as may be best for us and give you the greatest glory, for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Press on, press on! How easily we give up. The Lord wants us to learn how to flex our spiritual muscles. Every athlete knows that just beyond fatigue is often the best performance. The lazy never get anywhere, but those who persevere go a long way. You learn by pressing through what is difficult. Continue knocking. Continue seeking. The Lord is bountiful in giving to those who seek. He who endures to the end will be saved.

Lord, You know I need right priorities. You are not going to make me rich by winning the lottery. Oh sure, some faithful have won, but the point is that You want me to exercise my spiritual muscles. Help me to learn how to press on, continue seeking, and being persistent for what is right.

Lord Jesus, I hear these words and the first thing I want to do is think how I can do these things. You know all those places where I am deficient. Help me to knock at the door of my own limitations so that I seek You always to the fullest extent for which You have enabled me, according to Your grace. Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and help me to not give up. Amen.