Luke 13:10-17

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning!

Pastor: Sammy, what happened to your leg?

Sammy: Well, I was playing with my friends in the meadow, and I fell and scraped my leg.

Pastor: Are you okay?

Sammy: Yes I am okay. My maa-maa says I am a brave little lamb. I did cry when I fell down, but she held me and told me that Jesus would heal all my boo-boos.

Pastor: Boys and girls, have you ever needed a band-aid or help from your family after you fell down or got hurt?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I am glad that your families helped you all feel better. That’s what our families are for.

Pastor: Exactly, Sammy. God gives us each other and we are called to take care of one another.

Sammy: Pastor, there is something that I don’t understand.

Pastor: What’s that, Sammy?

Sammy: In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath. What is the Sabbath?

Pastor: Sabbath is the holy day of worship for Jews. It’s like how we go to church on Sunday. God commands his people to respect the Sabbath and keep it holy. Today, we as Christians are called to set Sunday or another day of worship aside to devote to God.

Sammy: That makes sense. I do a lot of things all week at the farm. It’s nice to have a day of rest and worship with you, Pastor. And with our church family.

Pastor: Yes; God’s original design for our world was broken by sin, but he still wants us. He calls us to honor and worship him through a day of rest. He wants all of his people to take a break.

Sammy: So why didn’t Jesus listen to that rule?

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, doesn’t the leader of the Synagogue (the pastor) in the Gospel have a point? Jesus did do work on the Sabbath instead of resting.

Pastor: Not quite, Sammy. You see, Jesus healed a woman. You have a boo-boo on your leg, and your body will continue to heal this boo-boo even during worship today. Your body will not stop working.

Sammy: Right. But what does that have to do with Jesus?

Pastor: Jesus heals our bodies. He created us; he loves us; and ultimately, he will heal us completely. His work of healing is for every day. The healing that Jesus does is a healing of our bodies and of our souls. He heals our boo-boos and forgives our sin. That is his gift for every day.

Sammy: I am glad that Jesus does not take a break from healing us. And that poor woman in the Gospel had a really big boo-boo.

Pastor: Yes, she suffered for a long time. But God received all of the glory through her life. Her life was a gift and she was part of a great healing miracle.

Sammy: Amen!

Pastor: Let’s pray. Boys and girls, will you fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for your healing power. Thank you for the gift of worship. Thank you for creating us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, boys and girls!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy! 

Luke 12:49-56 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy! 

Sammy: Good morning boys and girls! Good morning, Pastor! 

Pastor: Sammy, I am really glad that you and I are Christians.  

Sammy: Yes we are. Otherwise church would be really awkward. 

Pastor: Well, Sammy, in our Gospel reading today, Jesus is talking about families not getting along. Boys and girls, do you ever disagree with your siblings, cousins, or parents? What is that like? 

[Allow time for responses] 

Pastor: When Jesus walked on earth, he shared that he is God, and a lot of people believed in him and followed him. When they told their families about Jesus, some members of the family believed, and some didn’t. 

Sammy: That seems like a tricky situation. 

Pastor: It was. And it still is. During and after Jesus’s time, a lot of Christians had to go into hiding, even from their own families. Jesus proclaimed to be God—he is God, and that message divided a lot of people. 

Sammy: You know, Pastor, some of my family members don’t believe in Jesus. I don’t have to hide from them, but it’s hard to talk to them about my faith. 

Pastor: That’s understandable. It’s hard when you believe in the good news of Jesus Christ but someone in your family does not.  

Sammy: But what can I do? How can I encourage my family to see Jesus for who he truly is? 

Pastor: We can do lots of things. We can pray for them, love them, share stories from the Bible and our favorite scripture with them. One of the best things we can do is live a life that glorifies Jesus in all that we say and do. 

Sammy: And what happens when they come to believe in Jesus? 

Pastor: Well, the next step is baptism. When we are baptized, we become a part of God’s family. God wants each of us to be a part of his family. He chooses us, and we get to experience his great love through the Sacrament and gift of baptism. 

Sammy: That truly is a gift.  

Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for the good news that you bring to us. Help us to pray for others and to live a life that brings you glory. We love you. Amen. 

Sammy: Bye, everyone! 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy! Bye boys and girls! 

Luke 12:32-40 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy! 

Sammy: Are you ready, Pastor? 

Pastor: Ready for what, Sammy? 

Sammy: The wedding, of course! 

Pastor: Oh, you’re talking about the wedding from our Gospel reading for today. 

Sammy: Yes I am. I am so excited. I love weddings. 

Pastor: Sammy, how many weddings have you attended? You are just a little lamb after all. 

Sammy: I know I am little, but you have to keep up with the trends, Pastor. Didn’t you know that rustic barn weddings are totally in style right now? And moody colors, too. 

Pastor: Hang on a second. You’re telling me that at the farm, you’ve been to several weddings? 

Sammy: More than several, Pastor. Several dozen. And I have a subscription to “The Knot” Magazine.  We have weddings from April to October on the farm. And the farmers have a nice barn where the wedding guests have a banquet and lots of dancing. 

Pastor: That sounds like a good time. Boys and girls, have you ever been to a wedding before? What was it like? 

[Allow time for responses] 

Pastor: One of my favorite wedding memories… 

Sammy: That’s a good memory, Pastor. I really enjoy watching the weddings and seeing all of the people dancing and singing. There’s lots of food and wine, too. Sometimes I wish we could have a wedding at the farm every day! 

Pastor: You know, Sammy, Jesus is teaching his disciples about how he is going to come back one day. He talks about himself as the master returning from the wedding banquet. Jesus is going to come from the banquet and is going to redeem his people and call us home to Heaven with him. In Heaven, each day is a wedding. Jesus is the groom, and we, the church, are his bride.  

Sammy: You know, Pastor, I like that we are the bride as a church. I look good in white.  

Pastor: Yes you do, Sammy. But we are Jesus’s bride because he loves us so much, just like a groom loves his bride.  

Sammy: That makes sense. I’ll think about Jesus’s love for me each time I see a wedding now. 

Pastor: That’s wonderful, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you say a prayer with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for your promise to come back one day. Thank you for helping us to keep our hearts open. Help us to be ready for you. We love you. Amen. 

Sammy: Bye, boys and girls! 

Pastor: Bye, everyone! 

Luke 12:13-21 

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy! 

Sammy: Pastor! Pastor! Emergency! Emergency! 

Pastor: What’s wrong Sammy? 

Sammy: Farmer Luke’s garden is doing too well this year! We have thousands of tomatoes, hundreds of onions, bountiful squash. We’ve filled up our cellar. The freezer is full and we still have way too much.  

Pastor: That doesn’t sound like an emergency Sammy. It sounds like a good thing. Don’t you want abundant produce? 

Sammy: I thought that would be great too Pastor. But we have nowhere to put all the produce. It’s going to rot. I just don’t know what to do. 

Pastor: What does farmer Luke think? 

Sammy: That’s just the thing Pastor. He doesn’t seem to care at all.  

Pastor: Perhaps he already has a plan in place? Maybe he already knows what to do? Kids. What do you think farmer Luke should do with the produce? (Wait for responses) 

Sammy: Great answers everyone! 

Pastor: Yes they are. Perhaps he is going to share his crops with his friends, family and neighbors.  

Sammy: You know what. I think I did hear Farmer Luke on the phone with the food bank. I just didn’t know why.  

Pastor: It sounds like Farmer Luke plans to share. Sharing the gifts that God give us is important. He doesn’t give us anything that we should keep hidden away from people. He wants us to share.  

Sammy: That makes sense pastor. I will help farmer Luke share his crop this year.  

Pastor: Can everyone pray with me? Dear God, thank you for providing us with your great gifts. Thank you providing for our daily needs. Help us to share the gifts you give us with others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen! Bye! 

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Materials: Provide each child, or each member of the congregation, with a copy of the Lord’s Prayer. You can create a simple or fancy design. Maybe you want to print one that is laminated later or one that the children can color.

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: Today we are going to talk about the Lord’s Prayer.

Sammy: Yes! I love praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Pastor: This prayer is a very important prayer, Sammy. Jesus gave us this prayer as a great way to talk to our Father in Heaven.

Sammy: I worked really hard to memorize the prayer, Pastor.

Pastor: Excellent, Sammy. That’s a goal we can all have—to memorize this prayer. It’s short, and I know that all of us can do it.

Sammy: I love the parts of the Lord’s Prayer, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes. The Lord’s Prayer involves us declaring God’s holiness, asking Him in faith for the food we get to enjoy each day, and asking him for the forgiveness of our sins.

Sammy: What does Jesus mean when he teaches the disciples the part about “thy kingdom come,” Pastor?

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. Jesus is teaching us to pray about his return and about heaven coming to earth. We want Jesus to come back to earth and to establish his kingdom here. He is our God and our true king, and one day when he returns and brings the kingdom of heaven to earth, we will live in the peace, power, and presence of Jesus. It’s going to be amazing.

Sammy: That sounds amazing, Pastor! Will there be a place for me there?

Pastor: Yes, there will be a place for each believer in the kingdom of Jesus. He makes a way for us. And he will provide a place for us.

Sammy: The Lord’s Prayer is beautiful. It gives me so much hope, Pastor.

Pastor: Me too. Let’s say it together. Ready? You can repeat after me, boys and girls.

Our Father,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

On Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

 And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those who trespass against us

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory

Forever and ever

Amen.

Sammy: Great job, everyone! Pastor and I have a special copy of the Lord’s prayer for you to take home with you. You can use this copy to help you memorize the prayer. And you can pray this prayer anytime. Bye for now, everyone! See you next week.

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture:

Luke 10:38-42

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Whew, Pastor! I am tired.

Pastor: Why are you tired, Sammy?

Sammy: I have been doing so many chores around the farm this morning. First, I helped Farmer Luke water the garden. Then I opened the chicken run so the chickens could free-range for a bit outside. After that, I helped Farmer Luke with training the puppies on the farm. They are going to be sheep dogs one day, but right now, they are a handful. And they like to play. A lot.

Pastor: That’s a lot of chores, Sammy. I am sure that Farmer Luke really appreciated your help this morning.

Sammy: You know, Pastor, that’s the thing. Usually Farmer Luke works with me to do all of these chores, but today, he just said, “You know what to do, Sammy,” and he left. I was doing all of the helping, but I was getting no help!

Pastor: I am sorry to hear that, Sammy. What was Farmer Luke doing instead?

Sammy: Well, when I was done with all of my chores, I went to go find him. It was then I realized he left and went to go pray in the meadow before church.

Pastor: What’s wrong with that, Sammy?

Sammy: Are you kidding me, Pastor? I had to do all of these chores—by myself—and I didn’t even get a thank you from Farmer Luke. And he was sitting in the meadow praying. Do you see what is wrong with that picture?

Pastor: I think Farmer Luke chose a great thing to do. We all need to devote more of our time to prayer.

Sammy: But, Pastor, I didn’t get any help. You should call Farmer Luke on your phone and tell him that he needs to help me next time.

Pastor: Farmer Luke chose the best thing.

Sammy: What!

Pastor: Think about it, Sammy. All of the chores you did were not urgent. They could all wait until later. When it’s time to spend time with Jesus, we should focus on him and listening to him.

Sammy: But what about all of the other chores and things I need to do today?

Pastor: We can worry about those things after church. Right now, we need to focus on listening to the Word of God and worshiping Jesus. That’s the most important job we have.

Sammy: I’ll try.

Pastor: That’s the spirit, Sammy. Boys and girls, would you please fold your hands and bow your heads so we can pray? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to remember what is most important. Help us to focus our attention on you. Please give us energy for our chores and for all we need to do. Please give us peace knowing you are Lord of all. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture:

Luke 10:25-37

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: Today I want to teach you all the most important commandment.

Sammy: I know! I know!

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: I know the most important commandment!

Pastor: Go ahead. What do you think the most important commandment is?

Sammy: Love God with all your heart.

Pastor: Great job, Sammy! In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus is quoting the book of Deuteronomy 6:5. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Sammy: What does loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength look like? How can I do that, Pastor?

Pastor: Sammy, that’s a great question. Boys and girls, what do you think? How can we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like these answers! One of the things that I still don’t understand is how I can love my neighbor as myself. How can I do that?

Pastor: Let’s let the boys and girls answer this one too, Sammy. Boys and girls, how can we love our neighbor as ourselves?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: All of these ideas make a lot of sense to me. I am going to try to love everyone. I know sometimes others aren’t always kind to us, but Jesus calls us to love them. And sometimes it’s also hard to love someone who is really different from us. But God calls us to love that person, too.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. We need to remember to love our God with all that we are. And that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus is asking us to live our lives in love and service to each other. We also have to remember that a lot of times, when we serve and love others, not everyone with thank us. And that’s okay. Remember that God always sees what you do and how you treat others. He knows your heart.

Sammy: That’s comforting to hear, Pastor.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you all please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank you for helping us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

September 7: 13^th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18; Labor Day weekend)

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (Before you God sets life and death, blessing and curse; choose life!)

Psalm 1 (Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly; his delight is in the law

of the Lord)

Philemon, whole thing (Paul’s artful persuasion on behalf of a runaway slave)

Luke 14:25-35 (Consider the cost of discipleship first!)

            ELW/RCL: Luke 14:25-33 (Eliminates words about unsalty salt)

*******

Opening Hymn:   The Man is Ever Blessed (Simple tune; paraphrase of Ps. 1): LSB #705

OR O, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways: LBW #480, ELW #772, LSB #707

Hymn of the Day: How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord: LSB #853

OR Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us: LBW #424, ELW #707, LSB #851

Communion Hymn #1: O God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #696

Communion Hymn #2: O Master, Let Me Walk With You: LBW #492, ELW #818

Closing Hymn: Lord of All Hopefulness, Lord of All Joy: LBW #469, ELW #765, LSB #738

*******

Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Gracious Father, teach us what true discipleship is. By your Spirit, give us the faith and steadfastness to bear its cost. Thank you for so clearly setting before us the “way of blessing and curse, of life and death.” Thank you for the grace to choose the life you offer through the death and resurrection of your Son.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church around the world. Make it holy and blameless, wise and loving, fearless and compassionate in equal measure. Make it delight in your Law and proclaim your Gospel. Establish its roots in the living waters flowing from Christ its head and its life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the people and ministries of this congregation. Help us to meditate on your Word day and night. Give us grace to forgive, faithfulness to serve, and joyfulness to worship. Use us to lead many people to those streams of living water in which is found true life in Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for persecuted Christians, for missionaries, for seminary professors and students, and for all pastors and evangelists. Give them wise and humble hearts. Use them to bring the healing and saving Gospel to those whom the world has despised and rejected.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our nation and its leaders; and for the people and leaders of every nation on earth. Help all of us to “walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners; nor sit in the seat of scoffers;” but instead to delight in your Law; to meditate on your will; and to practice doing it so that we may live before you in peace and righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son dignified our labor by sharing our toil. Be with your people wherever they work. Make leaders of industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will. Give us pride in what we do. Be the strong refuge of those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of employment. Help all who are able to work to find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for everyone who needs your mercy and loving-kindness – including: {List}. Refresh their hearts; heal whatever is wounded; and restore them to fellowship with all who love them. As we recall Paul’s words to Philemon, we lift before you the plight of all who, even this day, are slaves. Deliver them from bondage, and let us always claim them as kindred for whom Christ has died.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy and loving Father, with gratitude and affection we entrust into your care our beloved dead. Through your Holy Spirit, strengthen us in our vocation as disciples of the Lord Jesus, so that, not counting the cost, we always bear faithful witness to him. For his sake, bring us into your presence, to be numbered with all those who serve, worship, and adore you in glory everlasting.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

August 31: 12^th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17)

Proverbs 25:2-10 (Words about kings; comporting self in King’s presence; keeping confidences)

            ELW/RCL: Proverbs 25:6-7 (Only about comporting self in king’s presence)

Psalm 131 (I do not occupy myself with things too great and marvelous)

            ELW/RCL: Psalm 112 (The righteous and just are blessed by God)

Hebrews 13:1-17 (Words of advice about many things)

            ELW/RCL: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 (Eliminates “Don’t be led away by strange teachings,” Jesus’ death “outside the camp”)

Luke 14:1-14 (Healing on Sabbath; taking the lowest seat at the banquet table)

            ELW/RCL: Luke 14: 1, 7-14 (Eliminates healing on Sabbath)

*******

Opening Hymn:   Day by Day: WOV #746, ELW #790

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

Hymn of the Day: Praise and Thanksgiving, Father, We Offer: LBW #409, ELW #689, LSB #789

OR Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service: LBW #423, ELW #712, LSB #848

Communion Hymn #1: Come, Let Us Eat: LBW #214, ELW #491, LSB #626

Communion Hymn #2: Bind Us Together: WOV #748

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

Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Gracious Father, thank you for making us like Jesus! Joined to him, who humbled himself for our sake, we too can be humble, yet not doormats. Transformed by his Spirit, we can live in faith toward you and in fervent love for others. Thank you! Make us more and more the living image of your Son.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill your Church with obedient, humble faith in Christ alone. Give it pastors, bishops, theologians and lay leaders who speak your truth in love. By your Holy Spirit, inspire compassionate deeds and holy lives among all who name Jesus Christ as Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless the people of this congregation. Help us to remember that we always speak, act, and live in the presence of Christ our King. Let the way we treat everyone reflect his strong saving love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Calm the fears and give comfort and strength to your persecuted servants throughout the world. By their humble witness, cause their enemies to repent and to turn to you, their only King, Lord and God.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless this land with justice, prosperity, concord, and integrity. Guide our leaders, and all who take counsel for the nations, so that they may always remember that they must give an account of their deliberations and deeds to you, the King of the Nations.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We are often fascinated by power, prestige, and popularity. Give us the grace to notice, and cherish, the humble and lowly who do your will. More than that, make us like Jesus, who is gentle and lowly of heart.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Those burdened with pain, sorrow, and adversity need the strength and healing that only you can give. We pray on their behalf, especially for: {List}. Quiet their fears, heal their bodies, minds, and hearts, and renew their hope. Bless all who care for them. Give them refreshment and resources to continue their ministry of loving service.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for receiving all who have died trusting in you. Quiet the souls of all who mourn. Teach us to live trustfully as your dear children. Lead us into your house, where with all whom you have redeemed, we will rest in your arms, delight in your goodness, and adore you forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

August 24, 2013: 11^th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16)

Or St. Bartholomew, Apostle

11 Pentecost Lessons and Hymns

Isaiah 66:18-23 (All nations shall worship the Lord and be his priests)

            ELW/RCL: Isaiah 58:9-14 (Do justice, and God will bless you)

Psalm 50:1-15 (Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, the Lord shines forth; he desires the sacrifice of thanksgiving, not of beasts)

            ELW/RCL: Psalm 103:1-8 (Bless the Lord, O my soul, for God’s mercy and justice)

Hebrews 12: 4-29 (Your suffering is how God disciplines beloved children. Pursue peace and holiness. You’ve come to Christ, whose blood speaks better word than Abel; don’t refuse him!)

            ELW/RCL: Hebrews 12:18-29 (Eliminates exhortation to faithfulness, holy living, God’s discipline of those he loves)

Luke 13:22-30 (Jesus says: strive to enter by the narrow gate, or you will see Abraham and the prophets enter the Kingdom, but you will be locked outside)

            ELW/RCL: Luke 13:10-17 (Jesus heals the woman bent over)

*******

Opening Hymn:  Glories of Your Name/Of You are Spoken:  LBW #358, ELW #647, LSB #648 (DANGER!! ELW changed the tune to a fairly obscure though singable Welsh tune. It’s probably because some nitwit said the usual tune, “Austria,” is the same as the German Nazi anthem, “Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles.” However, “Austria” is used in ELW for hymn #823, so…. Just be alert. PLEEEEZE use the “Usual tune!!!”)

OR Rise, O Sun of Righteousness: ELW #657

Hymn of the Day: A Multitude Comes From the East and the West: LBW #313, LSB #510

OR I’m So Glad He Lifted Me (If using ELW/RCL Gospel): WOV #673, ELW #860

Communion Hymn #1: You Are the Way: LBW #464, ELW #758, LSB #526

Communion Hymn #2: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms: WOV #780, ELW #774

Closing Hymn: The Son of God Goes Forth to War: LBW #183, LSB #661

OR I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: WOV #649, ELW #815, LSB #411

*******

St. Bartholomew Lessons and Hymns

Exodus 19: 1-6 (Remember how God delivered you from Egyptians as on eagles’ wings)

Psalm 12

1 Corinthians 12: 27-31a

John 1:43-51

*******

Opening Hymn: On Eagles’ Wings: WOV #779, ELW #787, LSB #727

OR Praise to the Lord, the Almighty:  LBW #534, ELW #858 (#859 is the gender-free translation. You’re welcome.) LSB #790

Hymn of the Day: For All Your Saints, O Lord: LBW #176, ELW #427

OR By All Your Saints in Warfare: LBW #178, v. 1, 17, 3; ELW #421, v. 1, 19, 2, last;

LSB #518, v. 1, 23, 3

Communion Hymn #1: You Are the Way: LBW #464, ELW #758, LSB #526

Communion Hymn #2: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms: WOV #780, ELW #774

Closing Hymn: The Son of God Goes Forth to War: LBW #183, LSB #661

OR I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: WOV #649, ELW #815, LSB #411

*******

Let us pray for the Church, the world, and for one another.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us what you would have us do, even when it is hard. Give us strength and grace to worship you in the beauty of holiness, and to share your love, justice, and mercy with others. Thank you for establishing for us a kingdom that can never be shaken.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lead the Church you love in the narrow way of peace, holiness, and truth. Make it a trustworthy, open gate to Christ. Lead all who are wounded in soul and body to the salvation he offers them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Touch the hearts of the people gathered here with your beauty and goodness. Make our words gracious and our deeds lovely. Make of us a kingdom of priests, holy in your sight; and a family of servants, faithfully doing your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Join the sufferings of your persecuted Church to those of Christ. Give it a gracious word of testimony, truth, and forgiveness, so that its tormentors may repent and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring to fruition Isaiah’s vision that all nations shall serve and worship you. Give leaders the strength and desire to work for peace, righteousness, and justice for all people – especially the poor and those devastated by human malice or natural disaster. Help all of us to be true neighbors to one another.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The school year fast approaches, to mingled dread and anticipation. Give students joy in learning and diligence in study. Help their teachers and aides to convey true love of their subject matter. Make them gentle disciplinarians, inspiring mentors, and worthy examples to their students.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant healing, hope and strength to everyone who suffers, especially: {List}. Assure them of your loving presence, and let them enter into your gates with thanksgiving and into your courts with praise.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, receive into your Kingdom our beloved dead. Keep us faithful and true, holy and steadfast, as we walk the narrow Way established by Jesus. Give us hope and joy along that way. Help us encourage one another. Bring us into that Kingdom which you have promised to all whom you redeem by the sufferings of Christ. There let us know the unspeakable joy of abiding in your love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers, gracious Father, offered through the power of the Spirit; and for the sake of your dear Son, grant us all that is in accordance with your merciful will, to your glory and for the good of your people. AMEN.