August 16: 12th Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 15, Lectionary 20
All: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 (My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples)
All: Psalm 67 (God judges the nations with equity and guides all the people of earth)
All: Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32 (God’s election of Jews irrevocable; he will show mercy!)
All: Matthew 15:21-28 (Healing of Syro-Phoenecian woman’s daughter)
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Opening Hymn: Both go well with Romans text. Blessed Be the God of Israel: WOV #725, ELW #250
OR Bless Israel’s God Words: Rev. Cathy Ammlung, STS; Tune: Angelic Songs (O Zion, Haste)
- Bless Israel’s God; he has redeemed his people:
Raised up a Savior born from David’s line;
Promised of old, through prophets’ proclamation,
To save from deadly foes with pow’r divine;
Promised to show our fathers mercy sure;
Promised his covenant forever shall endure.
- Through Abraham, God swore an oath to save us
From hands of foes, to serve him fearlessly
In holiness and righteousness before him,
There to adore and bless him constantly.
You, child – God’s prophet, go before his face,
Give saving knowledge of forgiveness and God’s grace!
- Tenderly, God bestows his love and mercy,
His heav’nly Dayspring shines upon our plight.
Darkness and death no longer can confound us:
In paths of peace, he guides us by his light.
Glory to Father, Son, and Spirit – Lord
God who through the ages ever is adored!
Hymn of the Day: In Christ There is No East or West: LBW #359, ELW #650, LSB #653
OR How Wide the Love of Christ!: LSB #535 (Simple tune. Another Herm Stuempfle gem ignored by many Lutheran hymnals. I’d recommend you get a one-time license from CPH to use this.)
Communion 1: I Love to Tell the Story: LBW #390, ELW #661
Communion 2: What a Friend We Have in Jesus: LBW #439, ELW #742, LSB #770
Closing Hymn: Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun: LBW #530, ELW #434, LSB #832
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Let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their need.
A brief silence is kept.
Dear Father, we are slow to see others as your beloved children! Soften our hearts to lead them into Jesus’ presence. Help us to discover that at the foot of his Cross, we truly are sisters and brothers.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fashion your Church into your house of prayer upon the earth. By your Holy Spirit, show it how to rightly welcome all people into its midst. Through your Word and holy Sacraments, draw many close to your beloved Son. Let them receive his promised mercy, forgiveness, healing, and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
There are many who refuse your mercy, reject your Son, and persecute your servants. Forgive them and soften their hearts. Strengthen Christians who suffer because of Jesus, to witness to him with humility, boldness, and steadfast endurance.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make this congregation a house of prayer. Fashion us into people of prayer. Transform our ministries into expressions of prayer, offered to you on behalf of our neighbors and our world. Help us to welcome fellow sinners. Give us grace to walk with them on the lifelong journey of repentance and obedient faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we pray for your people Israel. Grant to the Jews lively faith in you, fervent love for others, and joyful obedience to your holy Word. Let us together receive your promised mercy, entrusted to Abraham and ratified in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Forgive and heal the hatred and violence that destroy peace, justice, and goodwill. Teach our rulers diligently seek the good of everyone entrusted to their care. Increase understanding, cooperation, and kindness between those of different backgrounds or beliefs. Teach us all to look beyond those things which divide, and to cling to your merciful will to heal and save all who will receive you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As the school year starts, we pray for students, parents, teachers, and aides. Let them teach, learn, and share all useful knowledge, and cherish truth, wisdom, and righteousness. Bless seminaries and Christian colleges and schools with faithfulness to Jesus, love of neighbor, and the practice of virtue.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In Christ, your mercy and salvation are for all who call upon your name. Thus we pray for all who suffer – including: {List}. Be gracious to them, and bless them. Show them the light of your countenance. Draw them, and all who care for them, closer to your Son. Bestow upon them the joy of your saving help.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you, dear Father, for giving your fullest healing to the faithful departed. We commend them into your care, especially those dearest to us. Keep us united with them and with each other, by uniting us all with Jesus, and filling us with your Spirit. Grant us the unmatched joy of life in your house – not as pet dogs under the table; nor as strangers or as guests; but as your children, at home with you forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer, O Father, and grant all that glorifies you and builds up your people. This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
