Category: Narrative Lectionary Resources

NL Worship Resources: November 13, 2016

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Lectionary 33

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Trinity B
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 5:8-10 | Sermon Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 (God Calls Isaiah)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 29
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): King of heaven and earth,
As you cleansed Isaiah with a coal of fire to prepare him for proclaiming your word to the world, prepare us, so that we may know your bidding and carry out our callings with eagerness and urgency. Show the world greatness that cannot be contained any more than smoke or fire can be caught, in the name of the one who sacrificed everything to carry out your commands, Jesus Christ our sanctifier. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here. I updated these words of Confession and Absolution and the Call to Worship to reflect the readings in November here, I will be writing entirely new versions for Advent-Christmas.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #831 The God of Abraham Praise
ELW #574 Here I Am, Lord
ELW #414 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
ELW #413 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
ELW #473 Holy, Holy, Holy, My Heart
ELW #580 How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
ELW #868 Isaiah in a Vision Did of Old
ELW #834 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
ELW #529 Jesus, We Are Gathered
ELW #676 Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak
ELW #823 Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him
ELW #873/874 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
ELW #809 Send Me, Lord
ELW #842 O Worship the King all glorious above
Various Hymnals Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old
Various Hymnals You Are God, We Praise You
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #520 Blessed Jesus, at Thy word
ELW #796 How Firm a Foundation
ELW #798 The Summons
ELW #817 You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore
Various Hymnals Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Various Hymnals Lord, When You Came
Various Hymnals Two Fishermen
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Holy is our King” By Rita Springer. As performed by Rick Pino.
“You are Holy” By Per Harling.
“You Are Holy (Prince Of Peace)” By Marc Imboden, Tammi Rhoton. As performed by Michael W. Smith.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Lord God, you call your church to witness to your holiness. Sanctify us and send us into the world to proclaim your love and grace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the heavens and the earth, you provide more than enough for all of creation. Move our hearts to acts of stewardship and care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, you are enthroned in glory above the highest heavens. Keep our leaders humble and provide them with your wisdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of hosts, you care for the least as much as the greatest. Bring hope to the oppressed, and justice to all people and nations. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Healing God, you are the source of comfort and peace. Provide your great care for all who are sick (especially,…). Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of all time, you have called many to be your servants and prophets. Turn our eyes to their example and work in and through us as you worked through them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

NL Worship Resources: November 6, 2016

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All Saints Sunday/Lectionary 32

Color: White/Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Epiphany 3B
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 18:3 | Sermon Text: Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1- 10 [4:1-11] (Jonah and God’s Mercy)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 62:5-12
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of the seas, sky, and land,
When Jonah turned to run from you, you showed him that nothing and no one could hide from your presence. You are in all things, and you love all things. Show us the gift of your presence, and help us to carry your word of compassion and grace to all the world, in the name of the one who carried out your love flawlessly, Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here. I updated these words of Confession and Absolution and the Call to Worship to reflect the readings in November here, I will be writing entirely new versions for Advent-Christmas.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #779 Amazing Grace
ELW #605 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
ELW #740 God of the Sparrow
ELW #864/865 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
ELW #871 Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good
ELW #587 There’s a Wideness to God’s Mercy
ELW #445 Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
ELW #798 Will You Come and Follow Me
MSB1 #S490 I Called to the Lord
MSB1 #S489 Jonah Prayed
Various Hymnals Dear Shepherd of Thy People, Hear
Various Hymnals We Have an Anchor
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; MSB1=Music Sourcebook 1)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #717 Let Justice Flow like Streams
ELW #710 Let Streams of Living Justice Flow
ELW #800 Spirit of God, Descend Upon my Heart
DATH #89 It Won’t Be Long
WOV #783 Seek Ye First
Various Hymnals Pray, Without Ceasing
Various Hymnals When Our Confidence is Shaken
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“The One Who Saves” By Ben Fielding.
“You Are My All In All” By Dennis Jernigan.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Grant courage to your church, O Lord, that we may boldly proclaim your justice, mercy, and peace to a world sorely in need of repentance and reconciliation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Strengthen and heal the oceans, O Lord, that their beauty and bounty may be protected and their diversity of life be fortified. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Provide our leaders with your guidance, O Lord, that they might repent of selfishness and lead their nations into peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Remind us of your great love for us, O Lord, that even those who run from you may come to know your compassion and wholeness. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring relief to all who suffer, O Lord, (especially,…) that all might know your healing power. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Send us prophets, O Lord, that through their witness and the witness of the saints we may continue in right paths through the work of your Holy Spirit.. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

(Updated) Confession and Absolution & Call to Worship for November

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Confession and Absolution

In the name of the Father,
and of the ☩ Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Faithful God of hope and compassion,
you work healing and wholeness into the world
and show your care to all people.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
open our eyes and hearts to see
how we are unfaithful and lacking in mercy,
that we may confess our sin
and know that life is found only in you.
Amen.

Knowing the difference between good and evil,
let us confess our sins to God our Creator.

Silence for reflection and confession.

Faithful God,
we confess that we have not been faithful to you:
we regularly worship other gods,
we build idols out of symbols, ideologies, and ourselves,
we persist in our evil ways
and our words, thoughts, and deeds are unclean.
We confess that we do not obey your rule
and for this we rightly deserve to die.
And so we look to you for mercy and forgiveness,
knowing that we do not deserve it.
We ask that you remember your covenant
and forget our iniquity,
for the sake of your anointed,
Jesus Christ, who died that we might live.
Amen.

Just as God heard the lamentation of the widow
and the repentance of the Ninevites,
so too, God hears our confession.
And just as God acted in their lives,
so does God act in our lives;
bringing grace and mercy
through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Know that through the work of the Holy Spirit
God has redeemed you and forgives you all your sins.
Amen.

Call to Worship

God made the heavens and the earth,
and formed us from dust, breathing into us the breath of life.
O come, let us worship our Creator!

God rescued Israel from the house of slavery,
and showed redemption through the blood of the Lamb.
O come, let us worship the God of salvation!

God worked through the lives and words of the prophets,
and continues to work in our lives today.
O come, let us worship the God of providence!

God calls, gathers, and equips people of all stations and nations
and continues to work in and through us today.
O come, let us worship the God who calls us out into the world.

O come, let us worship!

NL Worship Resources: October 30, 2016

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Reformation Sunday/Lectionary 31

Color: Red/Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Proper 5C (10C)
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 4:24-26 | Sermon Text: 1 Kings 17:1-24 (God’s Care for
the Widow)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 146
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of compassion,
By the power of God, Elijah provided bread and oil for the widow and her household. By faith in God, the widow provided food and water for Elijah. Give us hearts to love one another, so that in providing and in receiving, we too, might experience the unimaginable power of God, through the one who has provided life itself, your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #422 For All the Saints
ELW #737 He Comes to Us as One Unknown
ELW #796 How Firm a Foundation
ELW #587 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
LBW #538 Oh, Praise the Lord, My Soul
TNtG #8 Song of Two Widows
Various Hymnals Revive Thy Work, O Lord
Various Hymnals When the Hungry Who Have Nothing Share with Strangers
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; TNtG=Time Now to Gather)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #641 All Are Welcome
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #712 Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
Various Hymnals In Great Thanksgiving
Various Hymnals O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Days of Elijah” By Robin Mark.
“Glorious Unfolding” By Steven Curtis Chapman.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Lord God, raise up leaders and prophets in your church; that your word of healing, life, and resurrection may be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of providence, sustain us through the bounty of the earth; that all who are hungry might be fed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of Israel, God of Sidon, God of all nations, bring peace and understanding to the world; that all recognize your presence even in surprising places. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Life-giving God, bring comfort to the grieving; that we may trust ever more in your power of resurrection. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord our God, be with all who suffer  (especially,…); that they may be restored to wholeness and life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of the ages, speak to us through the lives of all who have gone before us; that we may see your activity in the world throughout the eons. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

NL Worship Resources: October 23, 2016

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Lectionary 30

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Advent 4B or Proper 11B (16B)
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 1:30-33 | Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-17 (God’s Promise to David)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 89:20-37
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of hope,
You promised to make David’s household great among the nations. Then you sent your son, Jesus, to transform this world so that all people are one in the great household of God. Show us how to live as your children, as sisters and brothers in your holy and blessed realm, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who will one day welcome us all home. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #265 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
ELW #552 Blessed Be the God of Israel
ELW #569 The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Has Ended
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #878 Soli Deo Gloria
ELW #814 Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am
ELW #258 Unexpected and Mysterious
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #838 Beautiful Savior
ELW #311 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #434 Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #430 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
ELW #263 Savior of the Nations, Come
LBW #64 From East to West
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Ancient of Days” By Gary Sadler, Jamie Harvill.
“Come Let Us Worship” By Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves.
“Here is Our King” By David Crowder.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Faithful God, raise up leaders in your church that your good news may be shared throughout the earth and throughout the ages. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

King of creation, bless animals and plants as they prepare for the coming winter; even as the blanket of winter comes, send your sustaining power as much of creation rests. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God most high, send your steadfast love to all the nations, and work in the hearts of our leaders that they might seek out your justice and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shepherding God, bring hope and wholeness to all the lost and despairing, and restore them to community and relationship. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of all, be with the sick  (especially,…); work healing and comfort into the lives of all who suffer. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Eternal God, remind us of your faithfulness and keep us in the hope of eternal life when we shall join with all the saints in praising you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

NL Worship Resources: October 16, 2016

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Lectionary 29

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Proper 28B (33B) or Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 1:46-55 | Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10 (God Answers Hannah)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 113
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God who answers prayer,
We are blessed and humbled that you hear us when we call to you in our time of deepest longing. Receive our gratitude for your listening ear. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #723 Canticle of the Turning
ELW #419 For All the Faithful Women
ELW #473 Holy, Holy, Holy (Santo, santo, santo)
ELW #413 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
ELW #844 Praise to the Lord (Louez l’Eterne)
LBW #146 Rejoice, Angelic Choirs, Rejoice
WOV #720 In the Presence of Your People
WOV #724 Shalom, My friends
W&P #161 You Are the Rock of My Salvation
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice; W&P=Worship & Praise Songbook)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #236 Magnificat
ELW #882 My Soul Does Magnify the Lord
ELW #573 My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord
ELW #234/235 My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord
ELW #251 My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness
LBW #17 How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need of God
WOV #634 Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
W&P #2 A Story for All People
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice; W&P=Worship & Praise Songbook)

Other options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“Kings & Queens” By Chuck Butler, Joel Parisien, et al. As performed by Audio Adrenaline.
“You Have Shown Us” By Andy Park, Chris Tomlin, et al. As performed by CompassionArt.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Holy One, bless the work of your church and guard the feet of our leaders (especially our Bishop(s)…); that we might proclaim that there is no one besides you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord of life, bless forests, deserts, and tundra with life and healing; that all might know your creative and sustaining power. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of knowledge, bless the leaders of the world with wisdom and insight; that peace and justice may prevail over selfishness and greed. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Most High, bless those who sit amongst the ashes; that they might be lifted up by your power to make all things whole . Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God our Rock, bless all who suffer (especially,…); that they might find strength, endurance, and healing in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Exalted One, bless the rest of all the saints; and bring us all, at the end, out of the Pit and into the great feast of your glory. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

NL Worship Resources: October 9, 2016

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Lectionary 28

Color: Green
Closest RCL Sunday: Proper 23A (28A)
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 23:34 | Sermon Text: Exodus 32:1-14 (Golden Calf)
Psalm Suggestion: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Faithful God of an unfaithful people,
The people of Israel doubted your power and turned to other gods to fulfill their needs. We too, turn to other gods, seeking acceptance, power, and independence. Show us how to live humbly in you, and walk in your ways, in the name of the one who offered true power to all humanity, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #696 Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult
ELW #716 Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace
ELW #343 My Song is Love Unknown
ELW #864/865 Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW #871 Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good
TFF #104 Holy Spirit, Light Divine
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; TFF=This Far by Faith)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #579 Lord, You Give the Great Commission
ELW #343 My Song Is Love Unknown
LBW #112/113 Jesu, in Thy Dying Woes
LBW #183 The Son of God Goes Forth to War
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship)

Other options based on both:

“It Was Love” By Phillip LaRue, Allen Salmon, et al. As performed by Abandon.
“You Are Merciful To Me” By Ian White.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Keep your church faithful in belief and proclamation, O Lord; and bless the ministries of congregations, synods, and national churches. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send your abundant and healing life to the world, O Lord; and bless the work of farmers, laborers, and all working to harvest the bounty of the earth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant wisdom and insight to the leaders of the world, O Lord; and bless the nations with peace and justice. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bind up the brokenhearted, O Lord; and bless all who bring words of comfort and hope into difficult situations. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring healing and wholeness to all in pain, O Lord; and bless doctors, nurses, and all who offer aid to those in need. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Send us greater vision, O Lord; and bless us with the example of the saints of the past and the present. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

NL Worship Resources: October 2, 2016

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Lectionary 27

Color: Green
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 22:14-20 | Sermon Text: Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8 (The Promise of Passover)
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): Lord God of grace and liberty,
On the night of the Passover the sacrificed lamb became a sign of freedom and you freed the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. In Jesus, you sacrificed your son as a gift, thereby freeing all humanity from sin and death. Help us live into this new life, teaching us to serve you in faithfulness as you have served us. To you we offer our gratefulness in the name of the one who turned slavery into new life, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

You can find words of Confession and Absolution along with a Call to Worship that I wrote here.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #522 As We Gather at Your Table
ELW #326 Bless Now, O God, the Journey
ELW #370 Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
ELW #363 Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
ELW #361 The Day of Resurrection
ELW #483 Here is Bread
ELW #542 O Living Bread from Heaven
WOV #670 Go Down, Moses
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #474 Bread of Life from Heaven
ELW #491 Come, Let Us Eat
ELW #472 Eat This Bread
ELW #494 For the Bread Which You Have Broken
ELW #471 Let Us Break Bread Together
LBW #226 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord
LBW #95 Glory Be to Jesus
LBW #213 I Come, O Savior, to Your Table
LBW #127 It Happened on That Fateful Night
LBW #211 Here, O My Lord, I See Thee
WOV #701 This Is My Body
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)

Other options based on both:

“Amazing Love” By Graham Kendrick.
“Behold The Lamb (Communion Hymn)” By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, et al.
“Broken and Poured Out” By Kevin Bueltmann.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

God of salvation, work through your church that the Good News of the world’s redemption through Christ be proclaimed loud and long. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the waters, bring order out of the chaos we have caused and strengthen our resolve to steward the waters of the earth that all might know your providence. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of the nations, stir our leaders to hope and trust in you that your peace and justice might be realized. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of promise, strengthen our faith in your creative and redemptive activity in the world that we might join in your liberating work. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of hope and freedom, grant that hope to all who suffer (especially, …), that they might be freed from pain and anxiety. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of Israel, lead us to the promised land you have prepared for all people and keep us steadfast in your word. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Confession and Absolution & Call to Worship for Sept 18-Oct 30

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I don’t often write words of Confession and Absolution, as I like many of the ones provided in other resources. But I thought I might take a stab at writing one here with the NL texts for September and October in mind. Let me know what you think and if it’s something I should work on doing more often. I have also been enjoying the Call to Worship from the “This Far By Faith” hymnal that our parish used over the summer, so I tried my hand at one of those too.

Confession and Absolution

In the name of the Father,
and of the ☩ Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Faithful God of hope and compassion,
you work healing and wholeness into the world
and show your care to all people.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
open our eyes and hearts to see
how we are unfaithful and lacking in mercy,
that we may confess our sin
and know that life is found only in you.
Amen.

Knowing the difference between good and evil,
let us confess our sins to God our Creator.

Silence for reflection and confession.

Faithful God,
we confess that we have not been faithful to you:
we regularly worship other gods,
we build idols out of symbols, ideologies, and ourselves,
we choose our desires over yours,
and we serve our wants over others’ needs.
We confess that we do not obey your rule
and for this we rightly deserve to die.
And so we look to you for mercy and forgiveness,
knowing that we do not deserve it.
We ask that you remember us
and take pity on us,
for the sake of your anointed,
Jesus Christ, who died that we might live.
Amen.

Just as God heard the cry of Hannah
and the lamentation of the widow,
so too, God hears our confession.
And just as God acted in their lives,
so does God act in our lives;
bringing grace and mercy
through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Know that through the work of the Holy Spirit
God has redeemed you and forgives you all your sins.
Amen.

Call to Worship

God made the heavens and the earth,
and formed us from dust, breathing into us the breath of life.
O come, let us worship our Creator!

God made a covenant with our spiritual forefather, Abraham,
and promised him a multitude of descendants.
O come, let us worship the God of promise!

God rescued Israel from the house of slavery,
and showed redemption through the blood of the Lamb.
O come, let us worship the God of salvation!

God worked through the lives and words of the prophets,
and continues to work in our lives today.
O come, let us worship the God of providence!

O come, let us worship!

NL Worship Resources: September 25, 2016

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Lectionary 26

Color: Green
Readings: Gospel Text: Luke 6:35 | Sermon Text: Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21 (God Works through Joseph)
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of dreams and hope,
You spoke to Joseph in his dreams, and those dreams led him to great danger. Yet you used the challenges in his life to save the lives of others. In you, no good thing is accidental. You work in us and through us, even when we are not aware of your presence. Help us to know that you are with us, and that only you are capable of turning all evil to good. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #648 Beloved, God’s Chosen
ELW #605 Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW #603 God! When Human Bonds Are Broken
ELW #721 Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil
ELW #764 Have No Fear, Little Flock
ELW #707 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
LBW #483 God Moves in a Mysterious Way
DATH #81 Instruments of Your Peace
W&P #68 I Was Glad
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; DATH=Dancing at the Harvest; W&P=Worship & Praise)

Suggested hymns based on the Gospel text:

ELW #700 Bring Peace to Earth Again
ELW #729 The Church of Christ in Every Age
ELW #612 Healer of Our Every Ill
ELW #716 Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace
ELW #359 Where Charity and Love Prevail
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other options based on both:

“Every Move I Make” By David Ruis.
“Jesus, Friend Of Sinners” By Mark Hall, Matthew West. As performed by Casting Crowns.
“Scandal Of Grace” By Joel Houston, Matt Crocker. As performed by Hillsong United.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation

A brief silence.

Bless your church, O God, with dreams of your kingdom come and your will being done; that your reign of mercy and peace be brought about. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless the earth, O God, with wholeness and abundance; that all might know the glory of your creative and sustaining power. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless the leaders of nations, O God, with humility; that all might know that you alone are God. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless the dreamers, O God, with vision and insight; that they might proclaim your love in artistry, music, and imagination. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless all who suffer, O God, (especially, …), with healing and comfort; that their peace may be found in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Bless us, O God, with the knowledge of your love shown through the lives and witness of the saints who now rest in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.