Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Jeremiah 4:11–12, 22–28
God warns that a fierce wind of judgment will lay waste to the land.
Psalm 14
Fools say there is no God; there is no one who does what is right.
Complementary
Exodus 32:7–14
Seeing the golden calf, God’s wrath burns hot, but Moses intercedes.
Psalm 51:1–10
Have mercy, O God; I have sinned against you; wash me clean.
1 Timothy 1:12–17
Christ came to save sinners; God’s grace has overflowed for me.
Luke 15:1–10
Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners.
Though the strong wind of judgment blows,
all is not ended.
God will renew stubborn hearts
and soften stiff necks,
for Jesus welcomed sinners
and ate with them,
so we boldly come to make an offering of worship to the God of mercy,
who seeks and saves the lost.
Let us rejoice in the grace of our Lord!
Prayer of the Day
God of grace and mercy,
we thank you for disregarding our foolishness
and teaching us your holy wisdom.
Instill in us the faith and love
that are in Christ Jesus,
who rejoices
whenever what was lost is found. 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:
There is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.
Let the sound of our confession
cause celebration in heaven.
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
cast out any transgression you find there—
ransack, renovate, redecorate!
Deep in our hearts,
remove fearful features
and restore your original design.
The old lamps are dim;
bring new light into the darkness.
Make your dwelling place deep in our hearts,
and teach us wisdom,
so the hearts you transform may rejoice.
Lifting water from the font:
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ came into the world to save sinners.
Believe the gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are redeemed.
— 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 . . .
Make us good shepherds for your sheep
and good stewards of your gifts,
so that the lost may be found in you.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Look with mercy upon ruined lands,
fields of desolation, cities of rubble.
Restore the glory of your good creation.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Strengthen us to serve you in this place,
sharing the good news of your saving love
with our friends, neighbors, and strangers.
God our Savior, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
According to your steadfast love
have mercy on those who are suffering.
Let them know joy and gladness again.
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 gracious and merciful,
washing us clean from our sin
and delivering us from evil.
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 came to seek out the lost—
eating with tax collectors and sinners,
even dining with us at this table.
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.
Through the love of Christ Jesus,
let your grace overflow in our lives
and strengthen us to serve 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
- The Foolish in Their Hearts Deny (P) MAPLE AVENUE GTG 335
- Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (E) ST. DENIO GTG 12
- Restore in Us, O God (O) BAYLOR GTG 434
WORD
- A Woman and a Coin (G) LIFE RESTORED GTG 173
- Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God (P) SARADAY GTG 423
- To God Be the Glory (E) TO GOD BE THE GLORY GTG 634
EUCHARIST
- Have Mercy, God, upon My Life (P) IRISH GTG 421
- Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters (E) BEACH SPRING GTG 490
- Your Only Son (G) LAMB OF GOD GTG 518
SENDING
- Heaven Is Singing for Joy (G) ALEGRÍA GTG 382
- Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (E) AMAZING GRACE GTG 649
- God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us (O) O QUANTA QUALIA GTG 436
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 14
Metrical
- The Foolish in Their Hearts Deny [MAPLE AVENUE]; GTG 335
- Hear the Fool (All Have Sinned) [BLAKE]; PAS 53A, LUYH 33
- “There Is No God,” the Foolish Say [LM]; SGP 16
Responsorial
- Oh, That Your Salvation and Your Rescue Would Swiftly Come; PAS 14A (through-composed vv.), 14B (alt. refrain) (pointed vv.)
- Prone to Wander [BEACH SPRING]; PAS 14B
- O, That Salvation Would Come from Zion; PSA 8
Psalm 51:1–10
Metrical
- Have Mercy, God, upon My Life [IRISH]; GTG 421
- God, Be Merciful to Me [GOD BE MERCIFUL]; LUYH 622, PAS 51N
- Have Mercy on Us, Living Lord [CM]; SGP 81
- Have Mercy upon Me, O God; PAS 51D
Responsorial
- The Sacrifice You Accept, O God; PSA 48, PH 196, PAS 51G
- Have Mercy on Me, O God; PAS 51L
- Misericordia, Señor / Be Merciful, O Lord; PAS 51M
- The Lord Remembers That We Are But Dust [OLD 124TH]; HTP1 108
- Be Merciful, O Lord, for We Have Sinned; PFTS2 6
Organ Music
- “Fanfare on Austrian Hymn,” Nine Hymn Preludes for Organ, Gordon Young, HOPE (ME)
- “NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND,” Augsburg Organ Library: Advent, Helmut Walcha, AF (E)
- “ST. DENIO,” Augsburg Organ Library: Autumn, David Evan Thomas, AF (A)
- “NETTLETON,” Glad Praises We Sing: Four Preludes for Organ, Craig Phillips, SEL (ME)
Piano Music
- “Amazing Grace,” NEW BRITAIN, Amazing Grace, Jack Schrader, HOPE (MA)
- “Just as I Am,” WOODWORTH, The Essential Collection for the Church Pianist, Joel Raney, HOPE (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Create in Me a Clean Heart,” Matthew Culloton, MSM, SATB, keybd, opt solo (ME)
- “Have Mercy upon Me, O God,” AK Jaaquith, Splashed Ink Music, SATB, acap (A)
- “African Psalm,” Victor Johnson, LOR, SATB, acap (M)
- “Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness,” Joel Raney, OCP, SATB, keybd, opt flute (ME)
- “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” Dan Forrest, BP, SATB, keybd, opt orch (M)
- “Lord, I’m Coming Home,” Anna Laura Page and Jean Anne Shafferman, LOR, SATB, keybd (E)
Vocal Solos
- “Come Home,” Songs for the Journey, Craig Courtney, BP, low/medium/high, opt vc (M)
- “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Still All My Song Shall Be, Tom Trenney, MSM (M)
- “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” Chris Tomlin, musicnotes.com (MA)
Art
- The Israelites Worship the Golden Calf, William de Brailes, 1250 (VCS)
- L’Adoration de Veau, Francis Picabia, 1941–42 (VCS)
- Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1630 (VCS)
- The Good Shepherd, JESUS MAFA, 1973 (VDL)
- A Parable—The Lost Coin, Cara B. Hochhalter, 2019 (VDL)
- A Parable—The Lost Sheep, Cara B. Hochhalter, 2019 (VDL)
