PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, December 2, 2018: 1^st Sunday of Advent

 

For the Church, the world, for one another, and for the sake of all people, let us pray to the Lord.

A brief silence

How precious is your love, dear Father, and how vast your mercy! You made great and solemn promises to your people Israel – and through them, to the whole world. And in your dear son Jesus, each of your promises finds its eternal Yes. Prepare our hearts in this Advent season for his threefold coming among us: As the Babe of Bethlehem, veiled in human flesh. As the Head of the Church, veiled in word and water, bread and wine. And as the Lord and Savior, Redeemer and King of the universe, veiled only in robes of light and love and life, the glorious Yes who fulfills your ancient promises, and our eternal heart’s desire.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill your Church with your Holy Spirit, so it may instruct sinners in your way. Strengthen it in holiness. Give it boldness to proclaim your Word that shall never pass away. Make it abound in love, especially when persecuted, so that its enemies do not exult, but instead repent and believe the Good News.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the Jews, our elder brothers and sisters in the faith and kin, in their flesh, to Jesus the righteous Branch of David. Banish persecution and hatred of them from every human heart. Unite us with them in faith toward you and fervent love for one another. Bring us together under the glorious and gentle rule of our Savior and theirs.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Adorn this congregation with faith, love, mercy, generosity, and holiness – things more beautiful and enduring than wreaths, trees, ornaments, and lights. Turn our hearts and hands to adorn all who are hurting, bitter, frightened, and needy, with these lovely gifts.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Teach us to live at peace with one another; to seek your will rather than our own; and to use whatever power and authority any of us has for the common good. Give wisdom, integrity, courage, and common sense to our elected and appointed leaders, and to all who risk their lives in defense of liberty, justice, safety, and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of everyone who is in special need of your merciful care and glorious deliverance – especially: {List}. Gladden their hearts, heal their bodies, uphold their spirits with your own Holy Spirit, and surround them with the love and care of all who hold them dear.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Merciful Father, we entrust into your never-failing care our beloved dead, especially: {List}. Ease the sorrow of those whose grief runs deep. Revive our spirits, direct our days and our deeds in your peace, and make us abound in love and in every good work. Strengthen our hearts with the gift of your Spirit, so that we may be blameless at the coming of Jesus. And gather us, with all the redeemed, into your eternal Kingdom, where we shall rejoice in your goodness and righteousness forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all these things; for all we lift before you in the silence of our hearts; and for everything that you know we need, we pray in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and commend into your mighty and merciful hands.

 

Amen.

 

 

 

Lessons and Hymn Suggestions

Advent-Transfiguration of Our Lord, Cycle C

December 2, 2018 – March 3, 2019

 

NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book)

WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book)

LSB – Lutheran Service Book (The Maroon Book)
ELW – Evangelical Lutheran Worship (The Cranberry Book)

 

There are versions of some hymns that are superior in LSB and I recommend using them if possible. Also, there are some superb hymns in LSB that aren’t available in the other hymnals. When I suggest one of the latter, I try to include an alternative from LBW or WOV. I recommend that a license and DVD of downloadable hymns from LSB be purchased if you are looking to expand your hymnody. There are, in ELW, some familiar hymns that have been drastically altered, which I try to note. ELW also has some fine hymns not available in the other hymnals, or has, interestingly, a more “traditional” translation or harmonization.

 

Color for the day is indicated for each Sunday. Primary liturgical calendar taken from Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), based on LSB. Also, I include the lessons from the standard Revised Common Lectionary, found in ELW and used in some congregations. It often overlaps the Sola/LCMS calendar lectionary, but when there are differences, I will note them.

 

December 2, 2018: 1^st Sunday of Advent

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16 (The righteous branch of David will spring up)

Psalm 25:1-10 (Be mindful of your mercy, instruct sinners in your way, do not let enemies exult)

1 Thessalonians 3:8-13 (The Lord make you abound in love, and strengthen hearts in holiness, 

that you may be blameless at the coming of Jesus)

Luke 21:25-36 (The Son of Man comes; heaven and earth will pass away, but not my words)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #32, Fling Wide the Door (ELW #259)

OR LSB #340, Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates; a nice translation)

OR LSB #339, Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Everlasting Doors

Hymn of the Day: LBW #28, Savior of the Nations, Come (LSB #332, ELW #263)

OR   LBW #33, The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns (LSB #348, ELW #260)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW#22, The Advent of Our God (LSB #331, The Advent of Our King)

OR ELW #359, Where Charity and Love Prevail (goes with Epistle)   (LBW #126, LSB #845)

Communion Hymn #2: WOV #627, My Lord, What a Morning (LSB #968, ELW #438)

Closing Hymn: LBW #322, The Clouds of Judgment Gather (a much more upbeat hymn than the first line indicates. If the tune is tough, sing it to “Aurelia,” aka “The Church’s One Foundation.” Or use what LSB uses- “Llangloffan,” a sturdy Welsh tune.) (LSB #513)

            OR ELW #438, My Lord, What a Morning (WOV #627)

 

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December 9, 2018: 2^nd Sunday of Advent

 

Malachi 3:1-7b (I will send my messenger; refiner’s fire; presents God’s people for judgment)

ELW: Malachi 3:1-4 (no presentation for judgment)

Psalm 66:1-12 (You refined and tested us, and brought us into spacious place)

            ELW: Luke 1:68-79 (the song of Zechariah)

Philippians 1:2-11 (Prayer that they may overflow with love, wisdom and insight, and be blameless at the day of Christ, having produced harvest of righteousness)

Luke 3:1-14(15-20) (The ministry of John the Baptist)

ELW: Luke 3:1-6 (the rest comes next week)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #37, Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding (The words are great. This tune is weird. I suggest using the tune that every sensible hymnal uses, including SBH, ELW and LSB, “Merton.” You can also use “Rathbun” which in LBW is used for “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”.) (LSB #345, ELW #246)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #556, Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment (LSB #511)

          OR ELW #552, Blest Be the God of Israel

OR WOV #725, Blessed Be the God of Israel (ELW #250)

          OR LSB #936, Sing Praise to the God of Israel

Communion Hymn #1: WOV #630, Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (ELW #240)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #36, On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry (LSB #344, ELW #249)

Closing Hymn: LBW #29, Comfort, Comfort Now My People (LSB #347, ELW #256)

 

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December 16, 2018: 3^rd Sunday of Advent

 

Zephaniah 3:14-20 (Shout for joy, daughter of Zion! God comes as warrior and lover)

Psalm 85 (Show us your steadfast love, grant us your salvation; love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss)

            ELW: Isaiah 12:2-6 (God is my salvation, give thanks, sing praise, make his name known)

Philippians 4:4-7 (Rejoice in the Lord always; God’s peace, which passes understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus)

Luke 7:18-28 (29-35) (Tell John you have seen the lame walk, the blind given sight, and the poor given the Gospel)

            ELW: Luke 3:17-18: (Ministry of John, stopping short of being put in prison)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #32, Fling Wide the Door (ELW #259)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #35, Hark, the Glad Sound! (LSB #349, ELW #239)

          OR LSB #849, Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (ELW #843; different tune, but either is familiar)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #537, O Jesus, King Most Wonderful

          OR ELW #242, Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn (WOV #633)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #530, Jesus Shall Reign Where E’er the Sun (LSB #832, ELW #434)

Closing Hymn: LBW #25, Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (LSB #515, ELW #244)

 

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December 23, 2018: 4^th Sunday of Advent

 

Micah 5:2-5a (From Bethlehem comes the mighty Shepherd who will feed his flock)

Psalm 80:1-7 (Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine! Stir up your might! Restore us; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Hebrews 10:5-10 (Christ comes to do God’s will and sanctify us by his offering)

Luke 1:39-56 (Magnificat!)

 

Opening Hymn:  LBW #58, Lo, How a Rose is Growing (LSB #359, ELW #272, Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming – traditional words and nice harmonization. I suggest this version.)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #180, My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord (LSB #934)

          OR LSB #346, When All the World Was Cursed (Trust me. Familiar tune, and verse 2 is perfect for today)

          OR ELW #266, All Earth is Hopeful

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #34, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LSB #357, ELW 257)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #42, Of the Father’s Love Begotten (LSB #384, ELW #295)

Closing Hymn: LBW #41, O Little Town of Bethlehem (LSB #361, ELW #279)

 

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December 24, 2018: Christmas Eve, the Nativity of Our Lord

 

Isaiah 9:2-7 (The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; for to us a child is born; his name is Wonderful Counsellor…)

Psalm 96 (The Lord is king; he will judge world with righteousness and the people with his truth)

Titus 2:11-14 (We wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us, redeems us from iniquity, and purifies for himself a people zealous for good deeds)

 Luke 2:1-20 (The Nativity of Jesus Christ)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #45, O Come, All Ye Faithful (LSB #379, ELW #283)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #71, Angels We Have Heard on High (LSB #368, ELW #289)

Gradual Hymn: LBW #55, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (ELW #288)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #54, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (LSB #366, ELW #282)

          OR LSB #362, O Sing of Christ (tune is “I sing th’almighty power of God”)

Offertory Hymn: LBW #40, What Child is This (ELW #296)

Communion Hymns: Use as many as needed for your circumstance!

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #69, I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve (ELW #271)

Communion Hymn #2:  LBW #67, Away in a Manger (LSB #364, 365; ELW #277, 278)

Communion Hymn #3: LBW #44, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (LSB #393, ELW #276)

Communion Hymn #4: LBW #41, O Little Town of Bethlehem (LSB #361, ELW #279)

Candle-Lighting Hymn: LBW #65, Silent Night (LSB #363, ELW #281)

Closing Hymn: LBW #39, Joy to the World (LSB #387, ELW #267)

 

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December 25, 2018: Christmas Day, the Nativity of Our Lord

 

Isaiah 52:7-10 (How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, brings good news, announces salvation, and who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”)

Psalm 2 (He said to me, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.)

            ELW: Psalm 98 (Sing joyous praise to the Lord, who comes to judge with righteousness!)

Hebrews 1:1-12 (In many and various ways, God spoke to his people of old by the prophets; but now in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son.)

John 1:1-18 (In the beginning was the Word; the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; we have beheld his glory, full of grace and truth…)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #50, Angels, From the Realms of Glory (LSB #367, ELW #275)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #60, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (LSB #380, ELW #270)

Gradual Hymn: LBW #51, v. 1-4, 12-14, From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

          (LSB #358, v. 1-4, 13-15; ELW #268, v. 1-4, 12-14)

Hymn of the Day: ELW #269, Once in Royal David’s City (LSB #376, WOV #643)

          OR LBW #73, All Hail to You, O Blessed Morn

          OR the 1-verse wonder of the same tune, LSB #43, Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn

          OR LSB #378, Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light. I can’t believe this isn’t in LBW.)

Offertory Hymn: ELW #294, In the Bleak Midwinter

          OR  LBW #40, What Child is This (ELW #296)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW#62, The Bells of Christmas (ELW #298)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #58, Lo How a Rose (ELW #272)

Closing Hymn: LBW #70, Go Tell it on the Mountain (ELW #290)

 

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December 30, 2019: Christmas 1

 

Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15 (Consecrate the firstborn males of your people; for I redeemed you out of slavery by killing Egyptian firstborn)

          ELW: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (The child Samuel ministers at Shiloh)

Psalm 111 (Great are God’s works; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom)

Colossians 3:12-17 (Clothe selves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, forgiveness, love. Let peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and his word dwell in you richly)

Luke 2:22-40 (In Temple, Simeon and Anna glorify God for Jesus, the fulfillment of his promises)

            ELW: Luke 2:41-5 (the boy Jesus with the elders in the Temple)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #57, Let Our Gladness Have No End (LSB #381, ELW #291)

Hymn of Praise: LBW #60, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing (LSB#380, ELW #270)

Gradual Hymn: WOV #716, Word of God, Come Down on Earth (LSB #545, ELW #510)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #184, In His Temple Now Behold Him (LSB #519, ELW #417)

             OR LBW #30, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (LSB #338, ELW #254)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #41, O Little Town of Bethlehem (LSB #361, ELW #279)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #56, The First Noel (ELW #300)

Closing Hymn: LBW #339, O Lord, Now Let Your Servant (ELW #313)

 

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January 6, 2019: The Epiphany of Our Lord

 

Isaiah 60:1-6 (Arise, shine, your Light has come; kings shall bring riches)

Psalm 72:1-11(12-15) (Give the king justice, O God, let kings from far away bring tribute)

Ephesians 3:1-12 (Paul is an apostle to the Gentiles, who are granted fullness of salvation through Christ)

Matthew 2:1-12 (The wise men come to worship Jesus, return home by another way)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #82, As With Gladness Men of Old (LSB #397; ELW #302)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #81, O Chief of Cities, Bethlehem (a nice English folk tune. And the words really shouldn’t be missed. If you think the tune is more than your folks can handle, use tune for “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”)

          OR LBW #265, Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (LSB #873; ELW #553)

          OR LSB #399, v. 1, 2, 5, The Star Proclaims the King is Here

Offertory Hymn: LBW #84, Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning (LSB #400; ELW #303)

Communion Hymn #1: WOV #646, We Three Kings of Orient Are

          OR ELW #307, Light Shone in Darkness

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #75, Bright and Glorious is the Sky (ELW #301)

Closing Hymn: LBW #76, O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (LSB #395; ELW #308) (you may, for the sake of time, use just verses 1, 4, 6; or, if you choose to not use LBW #81 as the Hymn of the day, then use#76, v. 1-4 in that place, and use v.5-6 as the closing hymn)

 

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January 13, 2019: The Baptism of Our Lord

 

Isaiah 43:1-7 (I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior)

Psalm 29 (Ascribe glory to the Lord; his mighty voice resounds over the waters)

Romans 6:1-11 (We are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ)

            ELW:  Acts 8:14-17 (Peter and John lay hands on those baptized in Jesus’ name, they receive Spirit)

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (John speaks of the One who will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit; the baptism of Jesus)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #546, When Morning Gilds the Skies (ELW #853)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #191, Praise and Thanksgiving Be to God Our Maker (ELW #458) (tune is same as for “Father Most Holy”)

          OR LSB #405, To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord

          OR WOV #647, When Jesus Came to Jordan (ELW #305)

          OR LSB #399, v. 1, 3, 5, The Star Proclaims the King is Here

Communion Hymn #1: LBW 507, How Firm a Foundation (LSB #728, ELW #796)

           OR ELW #454, Remember and Rejoice

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #548, O Worship the King (LSB #804, ELW #842)

Closing Hymn: LBW #188, I Bind Unto Myself Today (LSB #604, ELW #450) (Note: ELW and LSB conveniently have this laid out on 2 facing pages. LSB also has a verse that has been omitted from LBW and ELW. If you dare, add it: “Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile foes that mar my course; Or few or many, far or nigh, in ev’ry place, and in all hours, against their fierce hostility, I bind to me those holy pow’rs!)

 

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January 20, 2019: 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Proper 1

 

Isaiah 62:1-5 (Zion shall be the beautiful and beloved bride of God)

Psalm 128 (The blessedness of family life for those who love God)

            ELW: Psalm 36:5-10 (God’s steadfast love, righteousness, judgments, salvation are for all. “In your light we see light.”)

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (no one speaking by the Spirit of God says “Let Jesus be cursed;” no one says “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit)

John 2:1-11 (Wedding at Cana)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #90, Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (LSB #394, ELW #310)

Hymn of the Day: LSB #408, Come, Join in Cana’s Feast

          OR LBW #78, All Praise to You, O Lord

          OR ELW #312, Jesus, Come! For We Invite You

          OR LSB #399, v. 1, 4, 5, The Star Proclaims the King is Here

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #457, 458, Jesus, Priceless Treasure (LSB #743, ELW #775)

          OR ELW #487, What Feast of Love (WOV #701)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #205, Now the Silence (LSB #910, ELW #460)

Closing Hymn: LBW #224, Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness (LSB #636, ELW #488, 489 {the latter is a lovely Hispanic tune, same words})

 

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January 27, 2019: 3^rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Proper 2

 

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (Ezra reads the book of Moses, instructs the people; Nehemiah declares a day of feasting)

Psalm 19:1-14 (The heavens proclaim God’s glory; my heart rejoices in his precepts. Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in his sight)

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (The unity of the Body of Christ)

Luke 4:16-30 (Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah concerning the healing of the poor, lame, blind and imprisoned, declaring that today that Word has been fulfilled)

              ELW: Luke 4:14-21 (Rest heard next week)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #87, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (LSB #398; ELW #311)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #380, O Christ Our Light, Our Radiance True (ELW #675) (LSB #839, O Christ, Our True and Only Light)

          OR LSB #412, The People That in Darkness Sat

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #410, We Give Thee But Thine Own (LSB #781, ELW #686)

          OR WOV #652, Arise, Your Light Has Come (ELW #314)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #425, O God of Mercy, God of Might (LSB #852; ELW #714; both are “O God of Mercy, God of Light”)

Closing Hymn: LBW #559, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (LSB #528, ELW #886)

 

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February 3, 2019: 4^th Sunday after the Epiphany, Proper 3

 

Jeremiah 1:4-10, 17-19 (God calls Jeremiah to speak his Word)

            ELW: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (Omits “Gird up your loins, tell them everything I speak against them; I make you like a fortified city”)

Psalm 71:1-11 (O God, be my rock of refuge; deliver me from my enemies; rescue me from the cruel and wicked)

            ELW: Psalm 71:1-6 (Eliminates obeisance of the King’s enemies)

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13 (In praise of charity; faith, hope and love abide, the greatest is love)

Luke 4:31-44 (Jesus casts out demon in temple; heals Peter’s mother-in-law; tells assorted demons to take a hike and shut up about him)

          ELW: Luke 4:21-30 (The worshippers take offense at Jesus’ words, try to run him off cliff)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #315, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (LSB #700, ELW #631)

Hymn of the Day: ELW #843, Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (LSB #849)

OR LBW #400, God, Whose Almighty Word (ELW #673)

          OR ELW #44, Although I Speak With Heaven’s Tongue

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #126, Where Charity and Love Prevail (LSB #845, ELW #359)

          OR ELW #642, Ubi Caritas et Amor

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #406, Take My Life, That I May Be (LSB #783, 784; ELW #583, 685)

Closing Hymn: LSB #695, Not for Tongues of Heaven’ Angels

          OR LBW #359, In Christ There is no East or West (LSB #653, ELW #650)

 

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February 10, 2019: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 4

 

Isaiah 6: 1-13 (Isaiah’s vision of God and commissioning as a prophet of judgment)

Psalm 138 (All shall praise God; he is high, yet regards the lowly. Preserve and save me from my foes, and fulfil your purpose for me!)

1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 (Spiritual gifts; interpretation is greater than tongues)

            ELW: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (Proof and witnesses of the Resurrection)

Luke 5:1-11 (Jesus calls his first disciples; “Depart from me for I am a sinful man!”)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #165, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (LSB #507, ELW #413)

Hymn of the Day: ELW #580, How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord (LSB #853)

          OR LBW #381, Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling (LSB #826, “Hark the Voice of Jesus CRYING.” But LSB #827, confusingly, is called “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling,” is similar, and certainly just as appropriate!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #249, God Himself is Present (LSB #907)

          OR ELW #473, Holy, Holy Holy (sing through 3x)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #198, Let All Mortal flesh Keep Silence (LSB #621, ELW #490)

Closing Hymn: (if using 1 Cor. 15 text): LBW #189, We Know That Christ is Raised   (LSB #603, ELW #449)

          (if using 1 Cor. 14 text): LBW #415, God of Grace and God of Glory (LSB #850, ELW #705)

 

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February 17, 2019: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 5

 

Jeremiah 17:5-8 (Cursed are those who trust mortals; they are like shrub in desert. Blessed are  those who trust God; they are like tree planted by water)

Psalm 1 (Ditto! The wicked shall not withstand judgment. God preserves the righteous.)

1 Corinthians 15:1-20 (The proofs and witnesses to the Resurrection. Consequences of believing or disbelieving that Christ is raised.)

          ELW: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (Did first half last week!)

Luke 6:17-26 (Jesus heals; blessings and woes from Sermon on the Plain)

 

Opening Hymn: LSB #705, The Man is Ever Blessed (nice paraphrase of Psalm 1 and 1^st lesson!)

          OR LBW #227, How Blest are They Who Hear God’s Word (I know, you don’t know the tune and there’s no substitute possible. Try it anyway. It is very easy, from the Danish Psalter.)

          OR LBW #248, Dearest Jesus, At Your Word (ELW #520) (LSB #904, Blessed Jesus, at Your Word)

Hymn of the Day: WOV #764, Blest Are They (LSB #982, ELW #728)

          OR LBW #300, O Christ, Our Hope (LSB #553, ELW #604)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #352, I Know That My Redeemer Lives! (LSB #461, ELW #619)

Communion Hymn #2: you may not need one… 😉

Closing Hymn: (if you did NOT read the 1 Cor. 15 text last Sunday):

          LBW #189, We Know That Christ is Raised (LSB #603, ELW #449)

          (Otherwise…!) LBW #504, O God, My Faithful God (LSB #696)

          OR ELW #715, Christ, Be Our Light

 

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February 24, 2019: Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 6

 

Genesis 45:3-15 (Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them)

Psalm 103:1-13 (Bless the Lord, O my soul! As far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our sins from us)

1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42 (The consequences of the Resurrection; more than hoping in human power; the resurrection of the faithful, and glorified bodies)

          ELW: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 (The resurrection body)

Luke 6:27-38 (Love enemies; be merciful, as Father is. Forgive and give, and you will be forgiven and will be given much!)

 

Opening Hymn: LBW #270, God of Our Life, All-Glorious Lord (Relax, the tune is the same as for “Holy God, We Praise Your Name!”)

          OR LBW #269, Awake, My Soul, and With The Sun (LSB #868, ELW #557)

Hymn of the Day: LBW #424, Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us (LSB # 851, ELW #707)

          OR LBW #307, Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive (LSB #843, ELW #605)

          OR ELW #603, God, When Human Bonds Are Broken (It’s a familiar tune!)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #225, Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray (LSB #623)

          OR ELW #470, Draw Us In the Spirit’s Tether (WOV #703)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #353, May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfil (LSB #698)

          OR ELW #646, The Peace of the Lord

Closing Hymn: LBW #505, Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go (If tune is too tough, toot to the Doxology!!)

                (LSB #854 different tune, same suggestion.)

          OR ELW #648, Beloved, God’s Chosen

          OR LSB #479, Christ is Risen, Christ is Living (Nice reflection on 1 Corinthians texts; can also be sung to “Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing”)

          OR LBW #363, Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing (ELW #389)

 

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March 3, 2019: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

 

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 (The death of Moses after God shows him the Promised Land; no one has arisen like Moses, whom God spoke to as a friend, face to face)

ELW: Exodus 34:29-35 (The shining face of Moses)

Psalm 99 (Extol the Lord, who spoke to his servants Moses and Aaron in a pillar of cloud. You, Lord, love justice and establish equity; you forgive sin and avenge wrongdoing)

Hebrews 3:1-6 (Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house. Jesus is faithful as the Son)

          ELW: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (Unlike with Moses, who had to veil his face to the people after being with                    God,  we look upon the Lord with unveiled faces. Being transfigured from glory unto glory, we put aside                    shameful practices, commend selves to everyone in the sight of God)

Luke 9:28-36 (The Transfiguration of our Lord)

 

Opening Hymn:  WOV #797, O God Beyond All Praising (ELW #880)

          OR LBW #525, Blessing and Honor (ELW #854)

Hymn of the Day:  LBW #80, O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair!

          (LSB #413; ELW #316, “O Wondrous Image, Vision Fair”)

           LSB #416, Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory (can be sung to tune for “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”)

Communion Hymn #1: LBW #89, How Good, Lord, to be Here (ELW #315)  (LSB #414, Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here)

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #518, Beautiful Savior (LSB #537, ELW #838)

Closing Hymn: LBW #552, In Thee is Gladness (LSB #818, ELW #867)

 

A few years ago, I was transfixed and moved by the story of the 20 Christian martyrs who were beheaded by Islamic terrorists in Libya by the shore of the sea. Their crime: Refusing to curse Christ. There were some powerful things I learned about these brave men.

 

First: they were, as Christians, only allowed to work in certain jobs, mostly menial. But one of the men captured, imprisoned, and killed wasn’t Christian. He was a Muslim from a neighboring country. Not speaking the language well, he, too, was forced to take menial work.

When the captors learned this, they begged their “brother” to reassert his faith in Allah and Mohammed. He refused. While in prison, he was amazed by the faith and the compassion of his cellmates. There with freedom being offered on a platter, he shook his head, pointed to the others, and said, “Their God.”

Finally, some folks wondered why there was only video, no audio, of the actual beheading. The sound was turned off deliberately – for one thing, that brave Muslim had just confessed faith in Jesus. And only skilled lip-readers in their language could make out what the martyrs were saying in their last seconds of life. They were not cursing God – or their captors. They were not begging for mercy. Their words were, “O Jesus! Lord!” Their executioners thought that confession of faith could be silenced by flicking a button. It could not!

The Holy Spirit inspired me to write a poem-hymn in their honor. Only after I’d finished it did I wonder if it fit any halfway familiar, suitable hymn tune! Actually, there are TWO. The first is less familiar but very powerful. It would be perfect for a choir to sing as an anthem. The tune is “Das Neugeborne Kindelein,” and its most familiar use is in the beautiful Communion hymn, “Victim Divine, Your Grace We Claim.” The other is Melita, AKA the Navy Hymn, most familiar to most Lutherans in the hymns “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” and “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.”

I think the Holy Spirit knew those melodies, associated with such noble hymns already, would be perfect for this new  hymn.

 

Download “O Jesus, Lord” (Tune: Das Neugeborne Kindlein) here.

Download “O Jesus, Lord” (Tune: Melita) here.

You’ll see that I have “recycled” the words from the Advent Nunc Dimittis by setting them to a different tune: Von Himmel Hoch, or “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come.” What would a Lutheran choral setting of the liturgy be without a tune by Martin Luther, after all?! And I try to stay pretty faithful to the classic texts for these principal parts of the service, so I don’t get real “creative!” But since many hymns share the same “meter” (the number of beats, or syllables, per line), it means that one set of words can be used to different hymns, depending on the season of the church year and the familiarity of a given tune. Now you know my secret.

 

Download it here. 

The “OLD Red Hymnal,” AKA SBH, AKA Service Book and Hymnal, was where I first encountered the lovely Christmas carol, “Love Came Down at Christmas.” The tune is a gentle Irish lullaby. The words were from a poem of, I believe, Christina Rosetti, a renowned 19th century poet. Go look it up if you’re not familiar with it. Anyhow, with this paraphrase of the Agnus Dei, I had a wonderful excuse to highlight a lovely tune.

 

Download it here.

I think this was the first hymn paraphrase of the liturgy that I ever did, and it was for a Christmas Eve service at the church where I was the associate pastor. I’ve always loved the tune “Divinum Mysterium,” better known as the hymn, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” Simple, meditative, and lovely, it seemed the perfect melody for my paraphrase of the Sanctus. The only catch: trying to score it was more difficult than anticipated, so I just kept the melody line!

 

Download it here. 

I had fun with this. You can use this as the Prayers of the Church, or as an extended Kyrie, especially on the Sunday after Christmas (when many congregations have a services of lessons and carols anyway). It’s set to the tune, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” (a sadly overlooked carol in politically correct times!).  The petitions are sung by the cantor, assisting minister, or someone else who can enunciate and get the words out briskly. The refrain is done by the whole assembly. It’s written so that almost every syllable has its very own note, until the refrain, so that even though the words certainly march along, the cantor doesn’t have to think hard about what syllable goes with what note!

 

Download it here.

The Gloria in Excelsis is the quintessential Christmas carol, being sung over shepherds and flocks near Bethlehem the night of Jesus’ birth. This paraphrase of the Gloria (pretty much the exact same version as for Advent) now uses, appropriately, the tune “Carol,” usually known as “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” Enjoy!

 

Download it here.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be…. In the Kyrie, we begin, “In peace, let us pray to the Lord.” In the Gloria, we echo the angel’s sweet words, “peace to those whom God favors.” In the Agnus Dei, we pray that the Lamb of God should grant us peace. And now that the service is ending, we echo Simeon’s words: Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. For my hymn paraphrase of Simeon’s song, the Nunc Dimittis, I selected a tune that also echoes the theme of early American tunes I’ve used throughout the hymn paraphrases of the liturgy. It’s called “Distress,” and despite that name, it’s a plaintive but peaceful tune. We use it for 2 hymns: “We Place Upon Your Table, Lord,” and “O Christ the Healer, We Have Come.” As we indeed have received healing at our Savior’s table, that seems fitting.

 

Download it here.

 

“Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us. Grant us peace.” One of the simplest and most eloquent of prayers, we sing it just before receiving the Body and Blood of this Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world to do just that – forgive our sins, and make peace between us and God, us and one another, and even us and our own restless and broken hearts. For my simple paraphrase of this simple prayer, I used a simple tune: Southwell, often set to the words, “Lord Jesus, Think On Me.” Which seems eminently appropriate, doesn’t it?

 

Download it here.