October 6: 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 22
Genesis 2:18-25 (It is not good for the man to be alone; creation of woman)
Psalm 128 (The happy home of the faithful)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 8 (What is man, that you are mindful of him?)
Hebrews 2:1-18 (Pay attention to the message; if we ignore it, how can we escape penalty; Jesus tested in all things as we are, not ashamed to call us brothers; is our merciful high priest)
RCL/ELW: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 (Excellence of God’s Son; omits section from above on penalty for drifting from message of salvation)
Mark 10:2-16 (Teaching on divorce; let the children come to me)
Opening hymn: O Blest, the House: LBW #512, LSB #862
(If tune is unfamiliar, use tune for LBW #51, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”)
OR Blest Be the Tie that Binds: LBW #370, ELW #656, LSB #649
Hymn of the Day: When Love is Found: WOV #749
OR Our Father, By Whose Name: LBW #357, ELW #640
OR O Father, All Creating LSB #858 (You might get the license if you don’t have LSB; it’s good for
today’s texts AND for weddings! And the tune is Aurelia, The Church’s One Foundation)
Communion Hymn #1: O Christ, You Walked the Road: LSB #424
OR Children of the Heavenly Father: LBW #474, ELW #781, LSB #725
Communion Hymn #2: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name: LBW #328/329, ELW #634, LSB #549
Closing Hymn: O Christ, the Same (Gotta love O Danny Boy!): WOV #778, ELW #760
THE PRAYERS
Let us intercede before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Thank you, dear Father, that we may call you our Father, and trust Jesus our Brother, and know each other as sisters and brothers, united to Jesus through your Holy Spirit. Thank you that this happens even when our earthly family is troubled or absent. Help us extend your family-love to all who need you most.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You appointed Jesus as our High Priest and elder brother. Form your Church into his temple and his home. Make it attentive and faithful to your Word. Use it to challenge and comfort to us, for we struggle with sin and temptation. Let us take heart and cling to Jesus, who was tempted as we are, save without sin. Grant that we may share his life forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give strength, faith, and charity to your persecuted servants. Soften the hearts of their tormentors, and turn many from scorn and hatred of Christ to life-giving faith in him.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
By ties of blood and faith, this congregation is a family. Help us to be your family, and to befriend and help new sisters and brothers in Christ. Give us boldness to invite, patience to teach, wisdom to counsel, kindness to embrace, and gentleness to encourage them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Deal gently with families who are struggling, especially when divorce looms large. Help couples to forgive, repent, repair, and renew. It’s easy to tear asunder. By your grace, cause them to remain joined together according to your will. Heal the bitterness and anger that poison hearts and lives. Help parents to be mindful of their children’s welfare, even above their own.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant wisdom, integrity, and humility to earthly leaders. Make the welfare of their people more important than their own agenda or power. Teach us to live, so far as it is possible, in peace with one another.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who stand in harm’s way on our behalf. Equip them with courage and compassion; competence and fairness; a zeal for justice and a heart for mercy. Bring them home safely and soon when their task is done; and bestow your peace on us all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let all who suffer in mind, body or spirit find welcome and healing in our Savior’s arms. We pray especially for: {List}. Besides these, we pray for those who have been divorced; and for all who may find your words about marriage and divorce to be hard or hurtful. Bless, heal, forgive, and love them. Help us to be gentle and humble, that they may firmly believe that we love them too.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most holy Father, thank you for your steadfast mercy and loving kindness to all who died trusting your dear Son. Unite us with Jesus by the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us to live in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another. In your good time, gather us into your house, where with all the redeemed, we shall delight in beholding our Elder Brother and rejoice in your fatherly 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.
