Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
- Altar colour: Green
- Bible readings:
Note: There are two sets of first readings (with accompanying Psalms) given for the Sundays after Pentecost: (a) a new semi-continuous set, and (b) a set related thematically to the gospels (as in the earlier form of the lectionary). It is intended that either one of these two sets be used throughout and that they not be mixed.
FIRST READING (a) Exodus 17:1-7 God gives water from a rock
OR (b) Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Individual responsibility for sin
PSALM (a) Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
OR (b) Psalm 25:1-9 *For musical settings of these Psalms, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING Philippians 2:1-13 The humility and exaltation of Christ
GOSPEL Matthew 21:23-32 Which son obeyed his father?
- Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on gospel: Pr Mark Greenthaner ; Pr Vince Gerhardy ; edited for lay-reading sermon – matt 21v23-32 – year a – pentecost 15
Based on second reading: Pr Stephen Pietsch ; NEW edited for lay reading sermon – philip 2 1-5 – year a – proper 21 ; NEW Pr Vince Gerhardy
Based on Ezekiel reading: NEW Pr Roger Atze - Orders of service:
After Pentecost Sunday Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc / ppt )
Sunday Word and Prayer – Time after Pentecost 2 (pdf / doc / ppt ) A more generic form of the order above allowing for weekly variations in psalms and prayers.
Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following:
Traditional
O God, since without you
we are not able to please you:
Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things
direct and rule our hearts;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Lord,
without you we are not able to please you.
Direct our hearts
by the working of your mercy.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, alternative
(Let us pray to be faithful stewards of our possessions. [silence])
Loving Father,
you have so generously given us
all that we are
and all that we call our own.
Help us to serve you
by managing our possessions wisely,
so that they may not be a curse in our lives,
but an instrument for blessing.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new
(Let us pray for humility. [silence])
Merciful God,
give us the same attitude as Jesus,
who emptied himself
and was obedient to you
all the way to his death on the cross.
Make us eager to put others before ourselves,
and their needs before our own.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen. - Prayer after the gospel
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for coming and acting with the authority of God.
Help us truly to obey you.
Amen. - Offering prayer
Thank you, Lord, for all you have given us,
especially the gift of your Son.
Help us to accept his authority,
trust in him, and obey him.
Teach us to live our lives in service to you.
Amen.
- Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church- Proper 21A
- Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to go to the Modernised hymns page) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading (a): Exodus 17:1-7
LHS
347 Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah G5
AT
339 In you, O Lord, I found refuge
353 Fill us, Lord
483 Is the Lord with us, or not?
TIS
520 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour
569 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer First reading (b) : Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
LHS
302 Sinners, turn: why will you die?
319 Before Thee, God, who knowest all
364 A new heart, Lord* G4
AT
331 Turn to me with all your heart
269 Create in us
354 Change my heart
357 Give us hearts to know you, Lord
TIS
559 A new heart, Lord, create in me
577 Come let us to the Lord our God
712 Create in us a clean heart, O GodSecond reading: Philippians 2:1-13
LHS
62 My song is love unknown G5 (alt tune A8, G8)
67 And can it be, that I should gain (alt tune TIS 209)
90 Christ the Lord is risen again G8
159 O for a thousand tongues to sing* G5
166 All hail the power of Jesus’ name G8
169 The head that once was crowned with thorns G5
174 All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine G7
454 Ye servants of God, your master proclaim G6
782 At the name of Jesus G7
789 My Lord, you wore no royal crown G6
794 What wondrous love is this GS
AT
26 He is Lord
50 I will sing
139 Christ humbled himself
145 What wondrous love is this
157 Jesus, name above all names
261 From heaven you came
363 Jesus is greater
370 You are glorious
554 Jesus, you’re the one
671 Christ is Lord of all
TIS
99 God, we praise you, God, we bless you
178 Praise the God who changes places
202 I know that my Redeemer
209 And can it be, that I should gain
210 O for a thousand tongues to sing
214 My heart is full of Christ, and longs
215 You servants of God
216 Rejoice, the Lord is King
224 All hail the power of Jesus’ name
225 My heart and voice I raise
231 At the name of Jesus
247 Let all be one in mind and heart
256 From heaven you came, helpless babe
305 Let earth and heaven combine
341 My song is love unknown
365 Christ the Lord is risen again
378 The head that once was crowned with thorns
422 Come, Holy Spirit, come
448 Blest are the pure in heart
609 May the mind of Christ my Saviour
622 Holy Father, God of might
721 He became poor
746 The heavens shall declareGospel: Matthew 21:23-32
LHS
311 O faithful God, we worship Thee
317 Jesus sinners doth receive* G5
394 God is love: let heaven adore Him G9
AT
329 This kingdom
TIS
153 God is love, let heav’n adore him
259 Among us and before usPSALM 78
Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings: Psalm 78 p125
PSALM 25
TIS 14, O Lord, make me know your ways, is a version of Psalm 25:1,4-5,8-10,14.Alternatively, the following paraphrase of Psalm 25:1-10 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune ‘Die Sach ist dein’, LH 228. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
My God, in you I trust;
Do not let me be put to shame;
don’t let my foes rejoice.
Do not let those who wait for you
be disappointed in their hope.
Let them be disappointed who
have openly rejected you.
Show me your ways,
O Lord, teach me your paths.Teach me and lead me in your truth,
my Saviour and my God;
I wait for you the whole day long,
do not forget me, Lord.
Be mindful of your mercy, Lord,
and of your steadfast love of old.
Forget and wipe away my sins
according to your steadfast love.
Remember me,
Lord, for your goodness’ sake.The Lord, my God, is good and just,
therefore he shows the way
to sinners who return to him
and those with humble hearts.
He shows the humble what is right,
and teaches them to know his will.
The paths of God are steadfast love
and faithfulness for those who keep
his covenant
and listen to his word.Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings: Psalm 25 p41 , Psalm 25 p42 , Psalm 25 p43
OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSIC
While the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.
Small Church Music: You can download mp3 and midi files of popular hymn tunes from this site.
Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.
Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.
Song Select: you can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music.
Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.
