Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Joshua 3:7–17
Joshua leads the people through the Jordan to the Promised Land.
Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37
Give thanks to the Lord, who delivered us from the wilderness.
Complementary
Micah 3:5–12
False prophets, priests, and rulers will be put to shame by God.
Psalm 43
Vindicate me, O God; deliver me from those who oppress me.
1 Thessalonians 2:9–13
We give thanks that you have received and believed God’s word.
Matthew 23:1–12
The greatest will become servants; the humble will be exalted.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
From the east and west, north and south,
God leads us, and we give thanks.
Through wastelands and wilderness,
God leads us, and we give thanks.
Out of desperation,
God leads us, and we give thanks.
Praise to the Gatherer and Redeemer.
Your promise awaits.
Prayer of the Day
God of transformation,
we give you thanks.
Dry deserts overflow with water because of you.
Dirt and dust blossom into fruitful fields.
Death becomes life.
In your Spirit of resurrection,
call us to grow new gardens of love,
that we might be transformed
and moved to serve you.
Bring low the mighty
and lift up the humble.
Your kingdom come. 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:
God calls us into glory,
even when we do not live lives
worthy of this calling.
In gratitude—for God has claimed us—
let us be honest with God about the ways
we are not worthy.
Let us confess to God.
Despite your clear example,
we cannot shake our usual ways of life.
We admit: we are tempted by honor and status.
We admit: we like to seem holier than we are.
We admit: we like to be respected more than others.
We admit: we would rather be “great” than a servant.
But you who are the greatest became the servant of all.
Help us to imitate you.
Humble us that we might be not just the image of your disciple,
but that we actually embody your teachings.
When we cry to God in our trouble,
God delivers us from our distress.
Thank God for such steadfast love,
wonderful works, and unfailing forgiveness.
— 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:
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4
After the readings:
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God.
Deuteronomy 6:6
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord our God, Alpha and Omega,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Revelation 21:6
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
The risen Christ is the Savior of all people.
Those joined to him by faith
are set right with God
and commissioned to serve
as God’s reconciling community.
Christ is head of this community, the church,
which began with the apostles
and continues through all generations.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.10
Prayers of Intercession
Our shepherd satisfies our needs;
in faith, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for the church . . .
By your firm and faithful hand, direct us
to lead a life in keeping with your calling,
bearing witness to the gospel in all we do.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for the earth . . .
Continue to lead us through the wilderness,
so that this world may be a place of promise,
a healthy home for all of your creatures.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for all nations . . .
Silence false prophets who claim to love peace
but declare war on the poor of the earth.
Bring equity and justice to all peoples.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for this community . . .
Help those who are troubled and wandering;
satisfy the thirsty and feed the hungry;
call to the lost and lead them home.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Bring joy to those who are depressed;
send light to those who dwell in darkness;
give peace to those who mourn.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving shepherd, lead and guide us—
in green pastures and by still waters,
in right paths and through dark valleys,
until we feast with you in glory
and dwell in your house forever;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Psalm 23
— 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:
God of the harvest,
you are continually planting the seeds of your love
in our world and in our lives.
As we bring our gifts to you,
may they be seeds of your grace, peace, and hope,
planted deeply in our community. 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:
Through the wilderness and across the Jordan River
you brought your people into the land you had promised.
Still, you call us to enter your realm of plenty and peace.
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 our teacher, and we are his disciples.
He instructs us in his way of humble service,
teaching us to practice what we believe and live as we pray.
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.
By your Spirit, let your Word be at work within us,
keeping us pure, upright, and blameless in our conduct
as we proclaim to all the good news of God.
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 blessing of the one God—
Spirit, Son, and Father—
be with you now and always. Alleluia!
Ephesians 4:4–6
Lead a life worthy of your calling,
giving glory to God in all things. Amen.
Ephesians 4:1
“Ark of the Covenant”
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Crashing Waters at Creation (Os) CRASHING WATERS GTG 476
- O God of Every Nation (Oc) LLANGLOFFAN GTG 756
- How Firm a Foundation FOUNDATION (E) GTG 463
- Praise God for This Holy Ground (E) HEYMONYSTRAAT GTG 405
- Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather (G) TOKYO GTG 311
WORD
- When Israel Was Going Forth (Os) PISGAH GTG 58
- What Does the Lord Require of You? (Oc) MOON GTG 70
- Deep in the Shadows of the Past (E) SHEPHERDS’ PIPES GTG 50
- Will You Let Me Be Your Servant (G) THE SERVANT SONG GTG 727
- Lift High the Cross (G) CRUCIFER GTG 826
- Deep River (Os) DEEP RIVER OLOF 626
EUCHARIST
- There Is a Place of Quiet Rest (Oc) MC AFEE GTG 824
- Break Thou the Bread of Life (E) BREAD OF LIFE GTG 460
- Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song (G) LES PETITES SOEURS GTG 737
SENDING
- Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (Os) CWM RHONDDA GTG 65
- Heaven Shall Not Wait (Oc) HEAVEN SHALL NOT WAIT GTG 773
- O Word of God Incarnate (E) MUNICH GTG 459
- Alleluia! Laud and Blessing (OcG) WEISSE FLAGGEN GTG 755
- You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (G) HANOVER GTG 299
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 107:1–7, 33–37
Metrical
- Give Thanks to God Who Hears Our Cries [MORNING SONG]; GTG 653
Responsorial
- The God of All Creation Is God of Peace and Love; PSA 109, 110
Psalm 43
Metrical
- As Pants the Deer for Living Streams [SEACHRIST]; GTG 778
Responsorial
- My Soul Is Thirsting for the Lord; PSA 38
- Remember Your Mercies, O Lord; LPGA 945
- My Soul Is Thirsting for God; PRCL 69
- Defend Me, O God; PRCL 165
Organ Music
- “At the Name of Jesus,” KING’S WESTON, Augsburg Organ Library: November, Robert J. Powell, AF (M)
- “Marching to Zion,” Augsburg Organ Library: Healing and Funeral, John Ferguson, AF (M)
- “Slow March,” 100 Processionals and Recessionals, Richard Shephard, KM (ME)
- “Thanks Be to Thee,” Church Music for All Organs, George Frideric Handel, GSH (ME)
Piano Music
- “Liquid Invention, Op. 76, No. 4,” Pleiades Dances VI VII VIII IX, Takashi Yoshimatsu, Ongaku no Tomo (M)
- “Prelude in B Minor, Op. 28, No. 6,” Preludes, Frédéric Chopin, HEN (M)
- “Prelude and Allegro from Sonata in B-flat Major, HWV 434,” Klaviersuiten und Klavierstücke (London 1733), Georg Friederich Händel, HEN (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Your Servant I Will Be,” Mark Patterson, CGA, 2 pt, pno (E)
- “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service,” Daniel Kallman, KJO, SATB, pno (E)
- “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service,” Kevin Vogt, GIA, SATB, org (ME)
- “Whoever Would Be Great among You,” Ronald A. Nelson, AF, SAB, pno or gtr (ME)
- “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks,” Carolyn Hamlin, ALF, SATB, pno (ME)
- “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee,” Mark Hayes, BP, SATB, pno (M)
- “Bring Low Our Ancient Adam,” Bach for All Seasons, Johann Sebastian Bach, AF, SATB, org (M)
Vocal Solos
- “It Is a Good Thing to Give Thanks,” Sacred Songs for the Soloist, James Kent, BH, medium high / medium low (M)
- “The Great Cloud,” Joseph M. Martin, SHAW, duet, medium high / medium low (M)
- “I Am Bound for the Kingdom,” 44 Art Songs and Spirituals, Florence Price, Classical Vocal Reprints, medium (M)
- “Then Sings My Soul (How Great Thou Art),” Vocal Solos of Mary McDonald, Vol. 1, Mary McDonald, HOPE, medium (M)
Art
- Calanais Standing Stones central stone circle, unknown artists, 2900–600 BCE (VCS)
- The Lord Will Deliver His People across Jordan, Howard Finster, 1976 (VCS)
- Christ Teaches Humility, Robert Scott Lauder, 1803–69 (VDL)
- Among the Humble, Léon-Augustin Lhermitte, 1905 (MET)
