Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Jeremiah 1:4–10
The Lord calls young Jeremiah: Before you were born, I knew you.
Psalm 71:1–6
In you, O Lord, I take refuge; upon you I have leaned from my birth.
Complementary
Isaiah 58:9b–14
Remove the yoke; help the poor; refrain from trampling the Sabbath.
Psalm 103:1–8
Bless the Lord, O my soul; the Lord forgives, heals, and redeems.
Hebrews 12:18–29
Worship with reverence and awe; our God is a consuming fire.
Luke 13:10–17
Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath; a synagogue leader objects.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
O Consuming Fire,
you spark awe and joy
with the work of your hands
and the power of your deeds.
You give us an unshakable kin-dom1
in this ever-shaking world.
So we give thanks and worship you
with reverence and awe.
Let us worship God!
1 Kin-dom is a term coined by mujerista theologian Ada María Isasi-Díaz to describe the liberation that comes from God by referencing the interconnectedness of a family and the importance of relationship.
Prayer of the Day
God our rock and fortress,
the task is daunting:
remove the yoke,
the pointing of the finger,
the speaking of evil from among us.
So we proclaim:
You are my rock and my fortress!
The work is hard:
offer food to the hungry,
satisfy the needs of the afflicted.
So we sing out:
You are my rock and my fortress!
You crown us with steadfast love and mercy
and work justice for all who are oppressed.
You show us that we don’t have excuses
because you have given us the right words,
the right actions.
So we remember:
You are my rock and my fortress!
Give us refuge and guide us,
Satisfy our needs and send us out
to spread your message and do your will,
that we may be like a watered garden,
repairers of the breach,
restorers of streets. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving for Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the grace that is at work in us
through the gift of our baptism—
the sign of your threefold name,
the communion of your faithful people,
the promise of your glorious realm.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
let your grace and peace grow in us,
until we gather at your heavenly throne
to give you thanks and praise forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
In faith and in hope,
turning to the rock of our salvation,
let us confess our sin together.
O God of mercy,
we confess that we live self-centered lives.
We tolerate injustice and cruelty,
complacent in our corner of the world.
We neglect the needs of others.
In your righteousness,
deliver us and rescue us.
Turn us to your way
and lead us in your light,
that we might serve you
and care for all of creation.
Lifting water from the font:
The Lord is our hope and our trust,
our light and salvation.
Believe the good news!
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Faithful God, how blessed are those
who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit
so that we may glorify you
in the company of the faithful;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Sacred writings, our instruction in salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15
After the readings:
The words of Scripture, inspired by God.
Thanks be to God.
2 Timothy 3:16
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessed be the Lord our God. Amen.
Luke 1:68
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
The life, death, resurrection,
and promised coming of Jesus Christ
has set the pattern for the church’s mission.
His human life involves the church
in the common life of all people.
His service to men and women
commits the church
to work for every form of human well-being.
His suffering makes the church sensitive
to all human suffering
so that it sees the face of Christ
in the faces of persons in every kind of need.
His crucifixion discloses to the church
God’s judgment on the inhumanity
that marks human relations,
and the awful consequences
of the church’s own complicity in injustice.
In the power of the risen Christ
and the hope of his coming,
the church sees the promise
of God’s renewal of human life in society
and of God’s victory over all wrong.
The church follows this pattern
in the form of its life
and in the method of its action.
So to live and serve
is to confess Christ as Lord.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.32–33
Prayers of Intercession
Trusting in the power of God to deliver us,
let us make our prayers of intercession for all,
saying: God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Let your church be a living sign
of the kingdom that cannot be shaken,
where we will worship you forever.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Be a rock of refuge and a strong fortress
for those who are in trouble or distress.
Rescue the innocent from the wicked.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Teach us to offer our food to the hungry,
and provide for the needs of the afflicted
so that your light may shine in us.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Forgive their sins, heal their diseases,
bring them up out of their despair,
and satisfy them with your goodness.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
Merciful and mighty God, as you are one,
make us one with you through Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent to redeem us,
and in whose holy name we pray. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,
to present yourselves as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
Romans 12:1
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
We give you thanks and praise, O God,
for you have chosen the poverty of the world
to make your people rich in faith.
Help us to put our faith into practice
through the offering of our lives—
giving food to the hungry,
clothes to the naked,
and shelter to the poor;
all for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord,
your Word made flesh. Amen.
James 2:5, 14–17
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You are the hope of the oppressed
and the delight of all the faithful,
a spring of water in a dry and weary land.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church
and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus healed the sick in the synagogue,
showing us how your gift of sabbath
is meant to set us free from suffering.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation
(e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
As we await your coming realm
let us be completely consumed
in our devotion and service to you.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
God of glory, in this holy feast
you have made us one with Christ
and with that great multitude of the faithful—those who hunger and thirst no more
and worship night and day in your temple.
Lead us in the paths of righteousness
and guide us to the springs of the water of life,
until we join the choir of the redeemed,
singing: Salvation belongs to our God
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb:
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The Lord bless and keep
your going out
and your coming in
from this time on
and forevermore. Alleluia!
Psalm 121:8
Proclaim the message,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:2, 5; Luke 18:1
Symbol of the Gospel of Luke
Stained Glass, Corning, Ohio
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee (E) WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT GTG 816
-
Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven (P) LAUDA ANIMA GTG 619
-
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (O) IN BABILONE GTG 435
WORD
-
O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer (P) STUTTGART GTG 439
-
Healer of Our Every Ill (G) HEALER OF OUR EVERY ILL GTG 795
-
Our God Is an Awesome God (E) AWESOME GOD GTG 616
EUCHARIST
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All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (E) HOLY MANNA GTG 509
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Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread (O) ST. FLAVIAN GTG 500
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In God Alone (G) MON ÂME SE REPOSE GTG 814
SENDING
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God, My Help and Hiding Place(O) TOKYO GTG 813
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Take Us as We Are, O God (G) ENDLESS FEAST GTG 312
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There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (P) IN BABILONE GTG 435
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 71:1–6
Metrical
-
To You, O Lord, I Come for Help [CM]; SGP 71
-
In You, O Lord, I Put My Trust [CM]; PCW 71, PP 130 (with refrain)
-
In You, O Lord, I Put My Trust [WAREHAM]; PAS 71A
-
God, My Help and Hiding Place [TOKYO]; GTG 813, PAS 71B, LUYH 319
Responsorial
-
My Tongue Will Proclaim Your Righteousness; PSA 63
-
Since My Mother’s Womb; PAS 71C
Psalm 103:1–8
Metrical
-
Praise, My Soul, the King (God) of Heaven [LAUDA ANIMA]; GTG 619, 620, PAS 103F, PH 478, 479, LUYH 571
-
O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer [STUTTGART]; GTG 439, PH 223
Responsorial
-
Bless the Lord, My Soul (Taizé); PAS 103C
-
El Señor es compasivo / The Lord Is Rich in Kindness; PAS 103G
-
Bless the Lord, O My Soul [I WISH MY LOVE WAS A RED, RED ROSE]; CP1 8
-
O Bless the Lord [I LOVE THE LORD]; PP 188
Organ Music
-
“LAND OF REST,” 7 Settings of American Folk Hymns (downloadable), Wilbur Held, CON (E)
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“Two Settings: LOBE DEN HERREN (Prelude and Fanfare),” Gathered and Sent: Pairs of Preludes and Postludes for Organ, Brenda Portman, AF (M)
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“AR HYD Y NOS,” Augsburg Organ Library: November, Frank Stoldt, AF (E)
Piano Music
-
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” LOBE DEN HERREN, The Essential Collection for the Church Pianist, John Carter, HOPE (MA)
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“Awesome God,” AWESOME GOD, Piano Praise and Worship, Bill Wolaver, WORD (A)
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“He Knows My Name,” HE KNOWS MY NAME, All Creation Worships You, James Koerts, SFP (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ,” Dorren Potter and John Leavitt, SHAW, SATB, keybd, opt hb (ME)
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“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Craig Courtney, LOR, SSAATBB, keybd, solo, opt inst (M)
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“More Than Enough,” Becki Slagle Mayo and Lynn Shaw Bailey, CGA, uni, keybd (E)
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“What a Friend,” Mark Hayes, LOR, SATB, keybd, solo, opt inst (ME)
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“Be Still My Soul,” Marty Parks, LOR, SATB, keybd (E)
Vocal Solos
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“Safe within Your Arms,” The Best of Mark Hayes for Solo Voice, Mark Hayes, ALF, low/medium/high (MA)
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“Praise the King of Heaven,” Bless His Holy Name, Mark Shepperd, MSM (M)
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“On Eagle’s Wings,” Michael Joncas, musicnotes.com (ME)
Art
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God Touches Jeremiah’s Mouth, The Winchester Bible, 1160–75 (VDL)
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Psalm 103:7–8, Timothy Botts, 2016 (EYE)
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Woman with an Infirmity of Eighteen Years, James Tissot, 1886–96 (VDL)
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The Healing of the Bent Woman, Russian icon (PD)
