Lectionary Readings
1 Samuel 16:1–13
Samuel anoints David, the youngest son of Jesse, to be king.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I will live in the house of God always.
Ephesians 5:8–14
Live as children of light; awake and rise, Christ will shine on you.
John 9:1–41
Jesus heals a man born blind; the Pharisees question him about sin.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
We are children of light,
rejoicing in everything good and right and true.
We worship the Lord who heals, liberates,
and raises us from the dead.
In the dream of the beloved community of God,
we are awake,
and we stand in the light of Christ.
Prayer of the Day
God of heaven and earth,
in a cloud of confusion, we seek revelation.
In the face of manipulation, we seek truth.
In the gloom of regret, we seek new life.
Speak to us now; grant us intention and tenderness,
so that we may witness to your work
in the world and in us,
through Jesus the Christ, our healer and hope. 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 mercy you so freely offer us
through the grace of our baptism—
safe passage through the sea,
justice rolling down like water,
deliverance from sin and death forever.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
teach us to love and serve you faithfully
and reconcile us to you and to one another
as members of one, living body;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
How do we know when our actions are right?
When the fruits of our labors are good and true.
Christ is the light that exposes all we keep hidden,
but offers us healing and renewal instead of judgment.
Therefore, let us hold up our sins to Christ’s gaze.
God of compassion and mercy,
we sometimes fail to see
what you are doing in the world.
We want you to act in ways we predict,
but we forget:
you do what is good, not what is expected.
Forgive us when we do not recognize your miracles.
Forgive us when we doubt the wisdom of your actions.
Most of all, forgive us
when we do not respond to your call,
ignoring what we need to do
to show the world your love and grace.
Lifting water from the font:
Jesus restores our souls
and leads us in right paths for his name’s sake.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow us all the days of our lives,
and we will dwell in the house of the Lord
our whole lives long.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, our way in the wilderness,
guide us by your Word through these forty days,
and minister to us with your Holy Spirit,
so that we may be reformed,
restored, and renewed;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalm 51:15
After the readings:
We proclaim Christ crucified—
the wisdom and power of God.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 1:23–25
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
we bend our knees and lift up our hearts,
giving glory to God forever. Amen.
Philippians 2:9–11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
To be reconciled to God
is to be sent into the world
as God’s reconciling community.
This community, the church universal,
is entrusted with God’s message of reconciliation
and shares God’s labor of healing the enmities
which separate people from God
and from each other.
Christ has called the church to this mission
and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The church maintains continuity
with the apostles and with Israel
by faithful obedience to his call.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.31
Prayers of Intercession
In Christ Jesus, we have a great high priest
who knows our weakness and suffering;
therefore, with boldness, let us seek God’s grace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for the church . . .
By your grace, make us children of light,
reflecting the glory of our Savior—
Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for the earth . . .
Renew in us a vision of the world restored,
shining with the splendor of your glory,
unstained by the sin of human greed.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for all nations . . .
Raise up new leaders among us,
new shepherds who will defend the weak
and lead us all in paths of peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for this community . . .
Help us to notice our neighbors in need.
Give us the courage and compassion
to see them all as your beloved children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With boldness, we pray for loved ones . . .
Accompany those who walk in darkness;
protect those who are facing danger;
comfort those who live in fear.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
To you, O God, we entrust these prayers,
knowing that you alone can provide
grace to help in our time of need;
in the name of our great high priest
who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Savior. Amen.
Hebrews 4:14–16
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
Jesus says: Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
Matthew 6:21
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God of grace,
you have gifted us with life in Christ.
Today we bring the gifts of our work
and the gifts of our hearts.
May all that we bring and all that we are
be your means of grace in the world,
that all people may encounter your good news. Amen.
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 our shepherd; there is nothing we lack.
You prepare a table for us, even in the presence of our enemies.
You anoint our heads with oil; the cup of blessing overflows.
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 is the light of the world, dispelling darkness and uncovering what is hidden.
He has the authority to judge, the grace to forgive, and the power to heal and set free.
Since the world began who has seen such things?
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.
Help us to live as children of light,
always seeking what is good and right and pleasing to you.
Wake the dead from their sleep, to rise and shine with the light of Christ.
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
Thank you, gracious God,
for giving us bread for the journey
of these forty days.
As we travel on through the wilderness,
help us to share your grace with others
and draw us ever closer to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the steadfast love of God,
the abundant grace of Jesus Christ,
and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit
be with you this day and always. Amen.
Psalm 51:1, 11
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
If any wish to be my disciples
let them take up the cross
and follow me. Amen.
Mark 8:34
“David Is Anointed and Affirmed as King”
Dura Europos, 3rd Century
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- O That I Had a Thousand Voices (EG) O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE GTG 16
- O God, in a Mysterious Way (O) DUNDEE GTG 30
- O Worship the King, All Glorious Above! (EG) LYONS GTG 41
- I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (EG) KINGSFOLD GTG 182
- Here in This Place (OEG) GATHER US IN GTG 401
- Open the Eyes of My Heart (OG) OPEN THE EYES GTG 452
- I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art (EG) TOULON GTG 624
- Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (E) RATISBON GTG 662
WORD
- Born in the Night, Mary’s Child (EG) MARY’S CHILD GTG 158
- With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring (EG) ST. PETERSBURG GTG 334
- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (G) HOUSTON GTG 377
- Jesus Knows the Inmost Heart (OEG) LOE DE ÍSÁ GTG 427
- Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters (G) BEACH SPRING GTG 490
- Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me (E) GLORY TO GOD (Vasile) GTG 582
- Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (G) AMAZING GRACE GTG 649
- O Christ, the Healer (G) ERHALT UNS, HERR GTG 793
EUCHARIST
- Come Down, O Love Divine (EG) DOWN AMPNEY GTG 282
- Take Us as We Are, O God (OEG) ENDLESS FEAST GTG 312
- O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine (E) CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM GTG 671
- Abide with Me (E) EVENTIDE GTG 836
SENDING
- Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining (E) SHINE, JESUS, SHINE GTG 192
- O Day of Joy and Wonder! (E) JONATHAN’S TUNE GTG 290
- Arise, Your Light Is Come! (G) FESTAL SONG GTG 744
- We Are Marching in the Light of God (E) SIYAHAMBA GTG 853
- We Will Glorify the King of Kings (G) WE WILL GLORIFY STF 2087
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 23
Metrical
- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need [RESIGNATION]; GTG 803, PAS 23A
- If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee [WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT]; GTG 816
- Such Perfect Love My Shepherd Shows [DOMINUT REGIT ME]; PAS 23E
Responsorial
- My Shepherd Is the Lord, Nothing Indeed Shall I Want; PSA 18
- Shepherd Me, O God [SHEPHERD ME]; GTG 473, PAS 23G
- The Lord Is My Shepherd; LP 800
- The Lord Is My Shepherd; PRCL 54
Organ Music
- “Out of the Depths I Cry, Lord, to Thee,” AUS TIEFER NOT SCHREI ICH ZU DIR, attrib. Christian Geist, The Oxford Book of Lent and Easter Organ Music, OUP (M)
- “Come, Ye Disconsolate,” CONSOLATOR, Augsburg Organ Library: Lent, J. Bert Carlson, AF (ME)
- “Goodness: The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” Fruit of the Spirit: Chorale Preludes for Organ, David Evan Thomas, AF (M)
- “Partita on Crimond: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want,” Nine Hymn Preludes for Organ, Gordon Young, HOPE (E)
Piano Music
- “Our Evenings,” On an Overgrown Path, Leos Janácek, HEN (M)
“Floating Clouds,” Eight Memories in Watercolor, Tan Dun, GSH (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “I Believe,” Mark Miller, CGA, SATB, pno, opt solo (E)
- “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” Tom Trenney, Pavane, TTBB, pno (ME)
- “Psalm 23,” Paul Basler, CV, SATB, hn, pno (M)
- “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” Requiem, John Rutter, OUP, SATB, ob, org or orch (M)
- “The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23),” Howard Goodall, Faber Music, SATB, sop solo, org (M)
- “Open Thou Mine Eyes,” John Rutter, OUP, SATB, acap (MA)
- “Adonai ro-I,” Chichester Psalms, Leonard Bernstein, BH, SATB, orch (A)
Art
- Samuel Anoints David, Erich Brauer, 2000 (VDL)
- David Is Anointed and Affirmed as King, Dura Europos, 3rd century (VDL)
- Healing of the Man Born Blind, Duccio de Buoninsegna, 1307 (VDL)
- Lord, That I Might See, Matyas Church, Budapest, Hungary, 1970 (VDL)
