LIVING GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

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THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

24 JULY 2022

Persistence in prayer is encouraged by Jesus and wins the attention of God when Abraham intercedes for Sodom. The life of the baptized—to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus—is to be nurtured with prayer. God hears and answers prayer and so strengthens God’s own. “When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.”

Prayer of the Day

Almighty and ever-living God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and you gladly give more than we either desire or deserve.  Pour upon us your abundant mercy.  Forgive us those things that weigh on our conscience, and give us those good things that come only through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Genesis 18:20-32

Abraham bargains with God for the righteous of Sodom and Gomorrah

Psalm 138

Your steadfast love endures forever; do not abandon the works of your hands. (Ps. 138:8)

Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]

Buried with Christ in baptism, raised with him through faith

Luke 11:1-13

Jesus teaches the disciples to pray

THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

31 JULY 2022

Today’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life.  Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed.  We who have died with Christ in holy baptism have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.”  To that end we seek the sustenance of the Lord’s supper and the encouragement of God’s word.

Prayer of the Day

Benevolent God, you are the source, the guide, and the goal of our lives. Teach us to love what is worth loving, to reject what is offensive to you, and to treasure what is precious in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23

Search out wisdom, for all is vanity

Psalm 49:1-12

My mouth shall speak of wisdom. (Ps. 49:3)

Colossians 3:1-11

Clothed in Christ, your life is hidden with him in God

Luke 12:13-21

Jesus says: Be on guard against greed; be rich toward God, your treasure

THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

7 AUGUST 2022

Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s promise from the beginning—to Abraham, to the early church, and to the “little flock” of which we are a part in today’s assembly.  Faith,  God’s baptismal gift, trusts the promises of God. Have no fear.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church.  Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Genesis 15:1-6

God’s promise of a child for Abram and Sarai

Psalm 33:12-22

Let your loving kindness be upon us, as we place our hope in you. (Ps. 33:22)

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

A model for us: Abraham’s faith in a new home given by God

Luke 12:32-40

God will give you the treasure of the kingdom; sell all that you have

THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

14 AUGUST 2022

The word of God is a refining fire.  Jesus is the great divide in human history.  He invites our undivided attention and devotion.  Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.”  In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

Prayer of the Day

O God, judge eternal, you love justice and hate oppression, and you call us to share your zeal for truth.  Give us courage to take our stand with all victims of bloodshed and greed, and, following your servants and prophets, to look to the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Jeremiah 23:23-29

God’s word is like fire, like a hammer that breaks rocks

Psalm 82

Arise, O God, and rule the earth. (Ps. 82:8)

Hebrews 11:29--12:2

The faith of the Hebrew people, a great cloud of witnesses

Luke 12:49-56

Jesus brings fire on earth and has a baptism with which to be baptized

THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

21 AUGUST 2022

Remember the sabbath day.  Call the sabbath a delight.  This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us.  Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.

Prayer of the Day

O God, mighty and immortal, you know that as fragile creatures surrounded by great dangers, we cannot by ourselves stand upright.  Give us strength of mind and body, so that even when we suffer because of human sin, we may rise victorious through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Isaiah 58:9b-14

Do not trample the sabbath, but feed the hungry

Psalm 103:1-8

The Lord crowns you with mercy and steadfast love. (Ps. 103:4)

Hebrews 12:18-29

You have come to the city of the living God and to Jesus

Luke 13:10-17

Jesus heals a crippled woman on the sabbath and is condemned

(from Sundays and Seasons, 2022, Year C, Guide to Worship Planning)