August 18: 13^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15

 

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (Renewal of covenant before entering Promised Land)

                RCL/ELW: Proverbs 9:1-16 (Wisdom sets feast, beckons all to eat)

Psalm 34:12-22 (Many are the afflictions of the righteous; the Lord rescues them from them all)

                RCL/ELW: Psalm 34:9-14 (fear and seek the Lord, pursue righteousness;

omits verses about afflictions of righteous)

Ephesians 5:6-21 (Don’t be drunk on wine, but filled with the Spirit)

                RCL/ELW: Ephesians 5:15-20 (eliminates being subject to one another)

John 6:51-69 (My flesh is true food, my blood, true drink; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life)

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

Opening hymn: Father, We Praise You: LBW #267, LSB #875

OR Father Most Holy (same tune as previous): LBW #169, ELW # 415, LSB #504

Hymn of the Day: You Are the Way; Through You Alone: LBW #464, ELW #758, LSB #526

Communion Hymn #1: Now the Silence: LBW #205, ELW #460, LSB #910

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

Communion Hymn #2: Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior: LBW #199, LSB #640

Thee We Adore, O Savior, God Most True: ELW #476 (Gerard Manley Hopkins translation)

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

Closing Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God: LBW #534/533, ELW #839/840, LSB #895

 

 

THE PRAYERS 

 

For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.

 

A brief silence

 

Dear Father, feed us with wisdom and righteousness. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Nourish us with the love and life of your dear Son.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Nourish the Church with the fine bread and choice wine of Jesus’ own body and blood. Fill it with your heavenly light and life. Let that light cheer many hearts and guide many lives to you.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Give wisdom, graciousness, and prudence to all who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake.  Use their witness to strengthen our faith and to call their tormentors to repentance and salvation.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Feed the members of our congregation with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in your presence. Give us grace to gladly share this feast with our families, neighbors, friends, and communities.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Bless parents, foster-parents, and all who care for your little ones. Fill them with the bounty from Wisdom’s table, so that they may raise up their children in godliness and integrity.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

As Wisdom sets her feast before everyone, move the hearts of earthly rulers to heed her invitation and sit at her table. Feed them all they need to think, speak, and act in accordance with your will. Let all who are entrusted to their care prosper and live in peace.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Thank you for the service of those in our military, and all first responders. Give them wisdom, courage, and competence in dangerous situations. Heal the wounded, and shelter those who fall in the line of duty. Bring swiftly and safely home those whose work is not yet done; and grant us all your peace.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

You hear the cries of the righteous and of all who suffer. Hear and graciously answer our prayers on behalf of all who are afflicted by pain, grief, shame, or despair, including: {List}. Restore their health, hope, and joy in the company of all who love them.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for our beloved dead, who with St. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Please strengthen our faith in your dear Son, and fill us with your Spirit. Lead us safely through this life into the fullness of your Kingdom. There, with all whom you have redeemed, we shall rejoice in your great love forever.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

August 11: 12^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14

 

1 Kings 19:1-8 (Elijah flees from Jezebel, is fed by angel, to go where God leads him)

                RCL/ELW: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (No Jezebel!)

Psalm 34:1-8 (Look to the Lord, be radiant; taste and see how gracious the Lord is)

Ephesians 4:17-5:2 (Old vs. new life; rules of that new life)

                RCL/ELW: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (No mention of lusts, licentiousness)

John 6:35-51 (I am the bread of life; I will raise you up at the last day)

                RCL/ELW: John 6:35, 41-51 (Omits Jesus’s words about doing Father’s will)

*******

Opening hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory: LBW #415, ELW #705, LSB #850

OR Let the Whole Creation Cry: LBW #242, ELW #876

OR Now We Join in Celebration: LBW #203, ELW #462

Hymn of the Day: Lord, Enthroned in Heav’nly Splendor: LBW #172, ELW #475, LSB #534

OR I Am the Bread of Life: WOV #702, ELW #485

Communion Hymn #1: Where Charity and Love Prevail: LBW #126, LSB #845

Communion Hymn #2: For the Bread Which You Have Broken: LBW #200, ELW #494

OR Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup: WOV #706, ELW #492, LSB #638

Closing Hymn:  How Great Thou Art: LBW #532, ELW #856, LSB #801

OR O Living Bread from Heaven: LBW #197, ELW #542, LSB #642

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

*******

 

THE PRAYERS 

 

For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, let us taste and see how gracious you are! Lord Jesus, feed us with yourself, now and always! Holy Spirit, give us eyes of faith to look upon our Savior and be radiant!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, feed your Church with the life of Christ. By the power of your Spirit, raise it up on the last day as the Bride of Christ. Raise up pastors, bishops, and theologians to feed your people with your living Word. Let many taste and see your graciousness, and be forever blessed for trusting in you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Grant faithfulness, courage, and refreshment to your persecuted Church. Make their witness shine the light of your judgment and your forgiveness in the hearts of their persecutors.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You are the life and salvation, the living bread and eternal hope of this congregation. Bless our words and deeds, our worship and fellowship. Use us to glorify your name and to feed our neighbors with food that satisfies hearts, minds, souls, and bodies.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Bless everyone learning to be true disciples of Jesus, especially as they encourage others to walk with Him. Give them the bread of faith, hope, and love to strengthen them along the way.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Raise up among us rulers who are guided by your Word. Incline their ears to the cries of the needy, and to the instruction of your prophets. Teach us all that true justice and lasting peace are founded upon your commandments. Give us grace and strength to live by them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

You fed Elijah in the wilderness, and he journeyed forty days in the strength of that food. Grant the bread of health and salvation to all who dwell in the wilderness of suffering. Strengthen them in their pilgrimage. Surround them with compassion and encouragement. Keep them steadfast in faith and strong in hope. Today we especially plead on behalf of: {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We bless you for our beloved dead who now taste and see the full measure of your gracious care.  Give us joy in our sorrows and hope in our struggles. Keep us close to Jesus. Raise us up at the last day, and make us radiant as we look upon our beautiful Savior – our life, our joy, and our crown, now and forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

August 4: 11^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13

 

Exodus 16:2-15 (Israelites complain, God sends quail, manna; Moses says complaint is

against God)

                RCL/ELW: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 (less warning)

Psalm 145:10-21 (The eyes of all look to you, you give them food in due season)

RCL/ELW: Psalm 78:23-29 (Mortals ate bread of heaven)

Ephesians 4:1-16 (Unity of the Body of Christ, through the Spirit)

John 6:22-35 (My Father gives true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life)

*******

Opening hymn: Guide Me Ever/O Thou Great Redeemer:

LBW #343, ELW #618, LSB #918

Hymn of the Day: At the Lamb’s High Feast: LBW #210, ELW #362, LSB #633

(This can also be sung to tune for “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, LBW #90)

OR You Satisfy the Hungry Heart: WOV #711, ELW #484, LSB #641

Communion Hymn #1: Come, Let Us Eat, for Now the Feast Is Spread:

LBW #214, ELW #491, LSB #626

OR What Feast of Love: WOV # , ELW #487

Communion Hymn #2: O Living Bread from Heaven: LBW #197, LSB #642

Closing Hymn:  Onward, Christian Soldiers: LBW #509, LSB #662

OR Behold, How Pleasant: ELW #649

*******

 

THE PRAYERS 

 

For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.

A brief silence

Father, thank you for giving us the bread we need for body and soul. Thank you for providing for us, even when we are estranged from you and from our neighbor. Thank you for Jesus, our Life, our Bread, our source of unity with you and with each other.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Church is the body of Christ. Give it unity with him and unity in him. Let your Holy Spirit fashion the Church into the likeness of Jesus, so that when it speaks and acts, people hear and see their Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Make us mindful of our union with those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Let them know they are not forgotten by you or by the rest of the Church. May their faithful witness feed their enemies with the bread of repentance and faith.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Feed the people of this congregation with the living Bread of Heaven. Nourish us with the Cup of Blessing from Christ’s hand. Help us to know the depth, height, and breadth of your love. Fill us with your Spirit, so we can share your love with others.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Thank you for those who maintain food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens. Thank you for everyone who feed the hungry and help them feed themselves. Grant that, as bodies are nourished, minds, hearts, and spirits are also fed with the living Bread from Heaven.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Guide the thoughts, words, and actions of our earthly rulers. Guide and teach them, so all people receive what they need to live in peace. Give us the desire and means to feed one another not only with bread that perishes, but also with your imperishable and holy Word.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

You open your hand and fulfil the desire of every living creature. Please open your hand to grant health, hope, strength, and guidance upon all whose need is great, including: {List}. Feed them with faith and fill them with the refreshing waters of your grace and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With reverence and affection, we remember before you all our loved ones who have died and are at rest in you. Keep us in union with them through our union with Jesus. Strengthen bonds of affection with our fellow pilgrims along life’s journey. Bring us all, with all whom you have redeemed, into the joy and life you share in union with your Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 9:27) 

Have mercy upon us Lord.  How quickly that one sentence can change our attitude.  Mercy is not getting what you deserve.  Born blind?  It is what it is because of sin in the world.  It may not be yours, or even traceable, but sin is in the world and it wreaks havoc on us all.  By God’s mercy we receive grace which, with mercy, brings us to a new place.  Sometimes the Lord will not grant you mercy, but He will give you the grace you need for every circumstance. 

Lord, I was born half-blind, for I saw myself and those around me, but I did not see You.  I still have many, many blind spots and I do not yet see You clearly.  Guide me in this life of faith which You have given me to see more clearly each day.  You are the One who can do all things.  I pray to see You more clearly in all that I say and do.  Not in arrogance, but in humble obedience, lead me in Your creation. 

Son of David, Savior, King of kings, and Lord of lords, have mercy on me.  I am half-blind, and I want to see clearly.  Open my eyes and let me see what You will let me see.  Guide me in the vision You give me that, in humility, all that You show me will be in accordance with the Father’s will.  Help me humbly bend the knee to You, the author of my faith, and follow You whether You grant the mercy I seek, or not.  Amen.