August 17: 10th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15)
Jeremiah 23:16-29 (Beware of false prophets who prophesy peace and plenty; God will act
against wicked; his word is like fire and hammer)
ELW/RCL: Jeremiah 23:23-29 (Eliminates warning against false prophets)
Psalm 119:81-88 (My soul longs for your salvation; I am persecuted but shall remain faithful)
ELW/RCL: Psalm 82 (God calls for justice; psalmist prays God should enact justice)
Hebrews 11:17-31 (32-40); 12:1-3 (Old Testament roll call of faith; we are surrounded by cloud of witnesses; run faith’s race; looking to Christ the pioneer and perfector of our faith)
ELW/RCL: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (Eliminates many Old Testament stories of faithfulness)
Luke 12:49-56 (Jesus will cast fire on earth, completing his baptism; interpret signs of times!)
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Opening Hymn: God’s Word is Our Great Heritage: LBW #239, ELW #509, LSB #582
Hymn of the Day: LSB #667, Saints, See the Cloud of Witnesses (same tune as Rise, Shine, You People)
OR O God of Light, Your Word, a Lamp Unfailing (Not a hard tune, but easily sung to “Brightest
and Best of the Stars of the Morning,” LBW #84): LBW #237, ELW #507, LSB #836
OR Rise, O Children of Salvation: LBW #182
Communion Hymn #1: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word: LBW #230, ELW #517, LSB #655
Communion Hymn #2: He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought: LBW #501
OR Let Justice Flow Like Streams: ELW #717
Closing Hymn: The Clouds of Judgment Gather (Can be sung to tune for “Lead On, O Kinky Turtle,” LBW
#495): LBW #322, LSB #513
OR My Lord, What a Morning: WOV #627, ELW #438
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Let us pray for the Church, the world, and for one another.
A brief silence
Father, sometimes your word dismays us! We don’t like to hear about divine fire, judgment, and division. Make us brave and steadfast in faith. Give us ears to rightly hear, and hearts to rightly repent. Give us grace to show the fruits of repentant faith, to your glory and for the good of your people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church a faithful witness to your Word. When it must speak of fire, judgment, or sin, let it be honest, fearless, and humble. Help it always point to Jesus, the merciful pioneer and perfector of our faith, and the longed-for Salvation of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Renew the faith, increase the zeal, and strengthen the deeds of everyone in this congregation. Cast the purifying fire of your Holy Spirit in our midst, so that all we say and do is in accordance with your Word. Use us to accomplish your will in the lives of our neighbors.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We are surrounded by a cloud of faithful witnesses, including Christians who are persecuted in this age of “tolerance and diversity.” Strengthen and encourage us by their example. Give them patient and steadfast hearts. And burn away the sin from the hearts of all who hate them, and you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Establish your peace among all people of this world. No plan or project of ours can heal the seeds of wickedness and violence in our hearts. Thus we plead: heal, purify, guide and direct the people and the leaders of every human endeavor, in accordance with your will and for our common good.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Until your peace is established, good men and women must risk their lives to protect others. We pray for all of them. Direct their decisions and deeds, so that even places of chaos and violence may begin to know your peace. Bring them safely home, and bless their hearts and lives with that same peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for everyone who is afflicted by the powers of sin, suffering, and sorrow. This day we remember before you: {List}. Be their sure hope and strong deliverer. Strengthen their faith in times of trial. Bring them safely into the fellowship of those who love them and into closer communion with you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we commend our departed loved ones into your care. Renew to us the promise you make to all the faithful: that “when through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.” Keep our faith steadfast and firm in your excellent Word, until that day when you bear us in your bosom into your everlasting Kingdom, and make us stand before you with all whom you have upheld by your righteous, omnipotent hand.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear our prayers, gracious Father, offered through the power of the Spirit; and for the sake of your dear Son, grant us all that is in accordance with your merciful will, to your glory and for the good of your people. AMEN.
