Lessons and Suggested Hymns,
Pentecost 15- Christ the King, Cycle B
(Sept. 2 – November 25, 2018)
NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book)
WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book)
LSB (Lutheran Service Book)
ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)
There are versions of some hymns that are superior in LSB and I recommend using them if possible. Also, there are some superb hymns in LSB that aren’t available in the other hymnals. When I suggest one of the latter, I try to include an alternative from LBW or WOV. I recommend that a license and DVD of downloadable hymns from LSB be purchased if you are looking to expand your hymnody. There are, in ELW, some familiar hymns that have been drastically altered, which I try to note. To be fair, ELW also has some fine hymns not available in the other hymnals, or has, interestingly, a more “traditional” translation or harmonization.
Color for the day is indicated for each Sunday. Primary liturgical calendar taken from Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), based on LSB. Also, I include the lessons from the standard Revised Common Lectionary, found in ELW and used in some congregations. It often overlaps the Sola/LCMS calendar lectionary, but when there are differences, I will note them.
September 2: 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17 (Labor Day Weekend)
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 (Keep God’s command fully and diligently)
Psalm 119:129-136 (Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them)
ELW: Psalm 15 (Those who keep commandments may live on his holy hill)
Ephesians 6:10-20 (Put on the whole armor of God)
ELW: James 1:17-27 (Be doers, not just hearers, of the Word)
Mark 7:14-23 (Defilement is from within, not without; evils arise in human heart)
ELW: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (Jesus rebukes Pharisee’s criticism; omits a repetition)
Opening hymn: LSB #665, Be Strong in the Lord in Armor of Light (perfect for Ephesians text)
OR LBW #389, Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus (LSB #660)
OR (if not used 7/29) LBW #188, I Bind Unto Myself Today (LSB #604, ELW #450)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #232, Your Word, O Lord, is Gentle Dew (another nice Swedish folk tune!)
OR LBW #480, O, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways (LSB #707, ELW #772)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #754, Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ (ELW #674)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #469 Lord of All Hopefulness (LSB #738, ELW #765)
Closing Hymn: LBW #504, O God, My Faithful God (LSB #696, ELW #806)
September 9: 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18
Isaiah 35:4-7a (Promise of recompense, salvation, healing and joy)
Psalm 146 (God sets prisoners free, opens eyes of blind, lifts poor from the dust)
James 2:1-10, 14-18 (Warning against partiality; faith without works is dead)
Mark 7:24-37 (Syrophoenician woman’s faith; Jesus heals deaf man)
Opening hymn: LBW #87, Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (LSB #398, ELW #311)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #360, O Christ the Healer, We Have Come (ELW #620)
OR LBW #426, O Son of God, in Galilee (LSB #841)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #530, Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun (LSB #832, ELW #434)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #359, In Christ There Is No East or West (LSB #653, ELW #650)
Closing Hymn: LBW #425, O God of Mercy, God of Light (ELW #714; LSB #852, O God of Mercy, God of Might)
September 16: 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19
Isaiah 50:4-10 (Suffering Servant’s humiliation and vindication)
ELW: Isaiah 50:4-9a (eliminates punishment of Suffering Servant’s accusers, and also the verse
about obeying God while walking in darkness)
Psalm 116:1-9 (You deliver soul from death, eyes from tears, feet from stumbling)
James 3:1-12 (Taming the tongue)
Mark 9:14-29 (Jesus heals the boy with epilepsy)
ELW: Mark 8:27-38 (Peter’s confession, Jesus’ rebuke, following him involves self-denial)
Opening hymn: LBW #156, Look, O Look, the Sight is Glorious (LSB #495, Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious)
OR LBW #233, Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness (LSB #578, ELW #511)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #537, O Jesus, King Most Wonderful (LSB #554)
OR WOV 738, Healer of Our Every Ill (ELW #612)
OR, if using ELW lectionary, ELW #667, Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said (LBW #398)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #296, Just As I Am, Without One Plea (LSB #570, ELW #592)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #504, O God, My Faithful God (LSB #696, ELW #806)
Closing Hymn: WOV #777, In the Morning When I Rise (LSB #976, ELW #770)
September 23: 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20
Jeremiah 11:18-20 (Jeremiah’s life threatened, like lamb led to slaughter)
Psalm 54 (Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate my by your might)
James 3:13-4:10 (Earthly versus heavenly wisdom and friendship)
ELW: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (Eliminates “Adulterers! Friendship with world is enmity with God,”
and the exhortation to lament sin, humble self that God may exalt)
Mark 9:30-37 (Passion prediction; argument over who is greatest)
Opening hymn: LBW #364, Son of God, Eternal Savior (LSB #842, ELW #655)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #123, Ah, Holy Jesus (ELW #349)
OR LBW #111, Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless (ELW #357; LSB # 434, Lamb of God, Pure and Holy)
OR LSB #550, Lamb of God (ELW #336)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #765, Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love (LSB #980, ELW #708)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #419, Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace (LSB #844, ELW #716)
Closing Hymn: LBW #424, Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us (LSB #851, ELW #707)
September 30: 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 21
OR St. Michael and All Angels, Transferred
19th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 21
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (Israel kvetches to Moses. Moses kvetches to God. God appoints 70 to
help him deal with aforementioned kvetching)
Psalm 104:27-35 (You give food in due season; your Spirit gives them breath)
ELW: Psalm 19:7-14: (God’s perfect law keeps one from sin; let words of mouth, meditation of
heart be acceptable in his sight)
James 5:1-20 (Warning to rich oppressors; patience in suffering; prayers, anointing, and confession;
bringing one back from sin a great thing)
ELW: James 5:13-20 (omits first 2 things)
(Mark 9:38-50 (Who is not against me is for me; cup of cold water; solemn warning about temptations to sin)
Opening hymn: WOV #687, Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading (ELW #401)
OR LBW #508, Come Down, O Love Divine (LSB #501, ELW #804)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #308, God the Father, Be Our Stay (LSB #505, Triune God, be Thou Our Stay)
OR LBW #423, Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
(ELW #712; LSB #848, Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #448, Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (LSB #744, ELW #779)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #441, Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ (LSB #769, ELW #402)
Closing Hymn: LBW #540, Praise the Lord! O Heavens, Adore Him (ELW #823)
St. Michael and All Angels, Transferred
Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3 (Michael, the angelic prince defending Israel)
Psalm 103:1-5, 20-22 (Join the heavenly hosts in praising the Lord)
Revelation 12:7-12 (War in heaven; Michael et. al. cast down Satan and minions)
Luke 10:17-20 (I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven…)
Opening hymn: LBW #175, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones (LSB #670, ELW #424)
OR LBW #249, God Himself is Present (LSB #907)
OR LSB #876, O Holy, Blessed Trinity (a marvelous paraphrase of Luther’s Morning Prayer.
May be sung to the Doxology.)
Hymn of the Day: LSB #521, Christ, the Lord of Hosts, Unshaken (Go get a license to use this if you don’t have
LSB. It is MUSCULAR, and really good!!)
OR LBW #172, Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor (LSB #534, ELW #475)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #198, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (LSB #621, ELW #490)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #441, Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ (LSB #769, ELW #402)
Closing Hymn: LBW #540, Praise the Lord! O Heavens, Adore Him (ELW #823)
October 7: 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 22
Genesis 2:18-25 (It is not good for the man to be alone; creation of woman)
Psalm 128 (The happy home of the faithful)
ELW: Psalm 8 (What is man, that you are mindful of him?)
Hebrews 2:1-18 (Pay attention to the message; if we ignore it, how can we escape penalty; Jesus
tested in all things as we are, not ashamed to call us brothers; is our merciful high priest)
ELW: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 (Excellence of God’s Son; omits section from above on penalty for
drifting from message of salvation)
Mark 10:2-16 (Teaching on divorce; let the children come to me)
Opening hymn: LBW #512, O Blest, the House (LSB #862)
(If tune is unfamiliar, use tune for LBW #51, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”)
OR LBW #370, Blest Be the Tie that Binds (LSB #649, ELW #656)
Hymn of the Day: WOV #749, When Love is Found
OR LBW #357, Our Father, By Whose Name (ELW #640)
OR LSB #858, O Father, All Creating (You might get the license if you don’t have LSB; it’s good for today’s texts AND for weddings! And the tune is Aurelia, The Church’s One Foundation)
Communion Hymn #1: LSB #424, O Christ, You Walked the Road
OR LBW #474, Children of the Heavenly Father (LSB #725, ELW #781)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #328/9, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (LSB #549, ELW #634)
Closing Hymn: WOV #778, O Christ, the Same (ELW #760)
October 14: 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 23
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 (seek good, not evil, that you may live)
Psalm 90:12-17 (Teach us to have wise heart; prosper our handiwork)
Hebrews 3:12-19 (Do not have evil, unbelieving heart; exhort against sin)
ELW: Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-22 (Rich man told to sell all, give to poor, and follow Jesus)
ELW: Mark 10:17-31 (adds disciples perplexity over leaving riches, wondering how they’ll be
rewarded for following Jesus)
Opening hymn: WOV #764, Blest are They (LSB #982, ELW #728)
OR LBW #406, Take My Life, That I May Be (ELW #583, 685)
(LSB #783, 784, Take My Life And Let It Be)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #304, Today Your Mercy Calls Us (LSB #915)
OR ELW #798, Will You Come and Follow Me
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #783, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God (LSB #712)
OR LBW #492, O Master, Let Me Walk With You (ELW #818)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #409, Praise and Thanksgiving (LSB #789, ELW #689)
Closing Hymn: LBW #259, Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing (LSB #924, ELW #545)
October 21: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (Pointlessness of amassing wealth)
ELW: Isaiah 53:4-12 (Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows)
Psalm 119:9-16 (How can young remain pure? Follow God’s commandments)
ELW: Psalm 91:9-16 (God promises deliverance to those whom he loves)
Hebrews 4:1-16 (Do not harden your hearts against God, lest you not enter his promised rest.
God’s word sharper than 2-edged sword; we may confidently approach High Priest who has
been tempted but did not sin)
ELW: Hebrews 5:1-10 (Great high priest, deals gently with us because he himself has suffered)
Mark 10:23-31 (Hard for rich to enter Kingdom; followers promised much – with persecution)
ELW: Mark 10:35-45 (James and John want special honors; true greatness is in suffering and
serving as Jesus does)
Opening hymn: LBW #744, Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound (LSB #448, ELW #779)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #423, Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (LSB #848, ELW #712)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #410, We Give Thee But Thine Own (LSB #781, ELW #686)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #482, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (LSB #425/6, ELW #803)
Closing Hymn: LBW #505, Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go (LSB #854)
(If tune is awkward, sing it to the Doxology, which is always appropriate!)
OR ELW #809, Send Me, Lord (WOV #773, Send Me, Jesus)
October 28: Reformation Sunday
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (God’s new covenant will be written on the heart)
Psalm 46 (The God of Jacob is our stronghold!)
Romans 3:19-28 (We are justified by faith, apart from works of the law)
John 8:31-36 (If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed)
Opening hymn: LBW #365, Built on a Rock the Church Shall Stand (ELW #652)
(LSB #645, Built on the Rock the Church Shall Stand)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #233, Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness (LSB #578, ELW #511)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #369, The Church’s One Foundation (LSB #644, ELW #654)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #293/4, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (LSB #575/6, ELW #596/597)
Closing Hymn: LBW #228/9, A Mighty Fortress (LSB 656/7, ELW #503-505)
November 4: All Saints’ Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9 (A feast of fat things; God shall wipe away tears, remove shame, destroy death)
Psalm 24 (Who ascends the holy hill of God, enters temple? Those with clean hands and pure hearts)
Revelation 21:1-6a (The new heaven and earth, New Jerusalem; death is no more)
John 11:32-44 (Jesus raises Lazarus)
Opening hymn: LBW #174, For All the Saints (LSB #677, ELW #422)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #516, Arise, My Soul, Arise (ELW #827)
Communion Hymn #1: WOV #702, I AM the Bread of Life (ELW #845)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #553, Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng (LSB #813)
(ELW #873/874, Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart)
Closing Hymn: LBW #552, In Thee is Gladness (LSB #818, ELW #867)
November 11: 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 27
1 Kings 17:8-16 (Elijah and the widow of Zarephath)
Psalm 146 (The Lord watches over orphans, widows and strangers)
Hebrews 9:24-28 (Christ offered himself, once for all, as sacrifice for sin)
Mark 12:38-44 (Woe to scribes who devour widows and orphans! The widow’s mite)
Opening hymn: LBW #457/8, Jesus, Priceless Treasure (yes, I know it’s a repeat from earlier in the season.
Use the alternate tune and nobody will notice). (LSB #743, ELW #775)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #491, O God, I Love Thee (The words are gorgeous. If the tune really is unfamiliar, use
tune for “Abide With Me.” Trust me. It works.)
OR ELW #692, We Are an Offering
OR LSB #787, The Temple Rang With Golden Coins (a fine Herm Stuempfle hymn, specifically for this Gospel!)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #469, Lord of All Hopefulness (LSB #738, ELW #775)
Communion Hymn #2: WOV #721, Go, My Children, With My Blessing (LSB #922, ELW #543)
Closing Hymn: LBW #514, O Savior, Precious Savior (LSB #527, ELW #820)
November 18: 26th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28
Daniel 12:1-3 (Some will be raised to everlasting life, others to shame)
Psalm 16 (You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy)
Hebrews 10:11-25 (We have confidence to approach God, having been made clean. Let us persevere in faith)
Mark 13:1-13 (Jesus foretells destruction of Temple, persecution of his followers)
ELW: Mark 13:1-8 (Omits persecution and testimony)
Opening hymn: LBW #318, The Lord Will Come and Not Be Slow (Can be sung with gusto to the tune of
LBW #183, The Son of God Goes Forth to War)
OR LBW #498, All Who Would Valiant Be
OR ELW #438, My Lord, What a Morning (WOV #627)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #487, Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus (LSB #685, ELW #802)
OR LBW #510, O God of Youth (I know, I know. Don’t know the tune. No substitutes available. It’s pretty straightforward, and the words are outstanding. If it just won’t sing, then have folks READ the words aloud together!)
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #341, Jesus, Still Lead On (ELW #624) (LSB #718, Jesus, Lead Thou On)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #333, Lord, Take My Hand And Lead Me (LSB #722, ELW #767 )
Closing Hymn: LBW #549, Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (LSB #793 , ELW #865)
November 25: Christ the King Sunday
Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 (Vision of the Son of Man)
Psalm 93 (The Lord is King, robed in majesty)
Revelation 1:4b-8 (Vision of the glorified Jesus)
John 18:33-37 (Jesus before Pilate: What is truth?)
Opening hymn: LBW #172, Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor (LSB#534, ELW #475)
Hymn of the Day: LBW #537, O Jesus, King Most Wonderful (LSB #554)
OR ELW #431, O Christ, What Can it Mean for Us
OR LSB #538, Praise Be to Christ
Communion Hymn #1: LBW #158, Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (ELW #392)
Communion Hymn #2: LBW #173, Rejoice, the Lord is King (ELW #430, Rejoice, for Christ is King)
Closing Hymn: LBW #170, Crown Him With Many Crowns (LSB #525, ELW #855)