Zechariah on Grieving

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When Fire Makes Things Grow

Author

Scripture

1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 12:11-13, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Zechariah 13:7-9, Daniel 3:, Isaiah 48:10

Trivia time! What natural disaster is the most destructive to a forest? Chances are that the first thing that comes to mind is a forest fire. After all, fire is pure destruction to plants. What possib...

liturgy

Prayers of the People for Palm Sunday

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

What did they cry out that first Palm Sunday? Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the Highest! Hosanna! Save Now! Jesus, save us Sav...

liturgy

Almighty and everlasting God

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:3-5, Zechariah 12:10, Exodus 12:21-23, Luke 23:42-43, John 19:34, Psalm 22:16-18

Pastor: Almighty and everlasting God, who willed that your Son should bear for us the pains of the cross and thereby remove from us the power of the adversary, help us to remember and give thanks al...

liturgy

Preparing for Holy Week Events

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:26, Zechariah 53:5-6, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-29

Pastor: The grace of our Lord + Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People: Amen. Pastor: Blessed is He who comes in the name of th...

liturgy

All: Gracious God, we have become

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 25:40, Matthew 25:31-46, Micah 6:8, James 2:15-17, Luke 6:27-36, Isaiah 58:6-7, 1 John 3:17, Zechariah 7:9-10, Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 21:13

All: Gracious God, we have become callous to those in need, holding back compassion yet unsparing with judgment. We defend our motivations, rather than using all you have given us to love and care for...

liturgy

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was

Author

Walter Russell Bowie

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was greeted by the crowd on Olivet with hallelujahs, but who in that same week was mocked as he went lonely to the Cross, forbid that our welcome to him should be in wo...

liturgy

Lamb of God, you take away the sin

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:4-5, Exodus 12:21-23, Zechariah 12:10, John 1:29, 1 Peter 2:23-24, Psalm 22:16-18

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us. O Christ, in your humility, your lonely struggle and your agony, you share our suffering. Give us faith to trust your grace....

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I’m Just Sleeping!

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:5–9 , Jonah 1:17 – 2:10 , Zechariah 12:10, John 19:31–37 , Luke 24:36–43 , Psalm 16:10

I remember growing up in the ’80s (yes, that dates me) when all kinds of fears and phobias seemed to be in the air—fear of the dark, snakes, scorpions, spiders. Someone in my own close circle was afra...

liturgy

Gratitude for God's Great Mercy

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:23-35, Micah 7:18-19, Psalm 51:1-2, Titus 3:4-5, Zechariah 7:9

Gracious God, you have given us great mercy through Jesus, yet we have withheld mercy from others. Our hearts have been hardened by the world and our sin. Would you soften our hearts? And give us a de...

liturgy

Loving God, we will betray you

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:3-5, Zechariah 13:7 , Exodus 32:1-14 , Luke 22:54-62, Romans 5:8, Psalm 130:3-4

Loving God, we will betray you; yet you invite us to your table. We will deny you; yet you give us yourself in love. We will fail to pray with you; yet you pray for us. We will crucify you; yet ...

Quote

Author

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:3, Romans 8:23, Isaiah 64:1, Isaiah 9:6-7, Zechariah 9:9

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.

Quote

Author

Martin Luther

Keywords

Scripture

Galatians 4:3-6, Romans 8:14-15, 2 Samuel 9:7, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 5:3, Romans 8:16-17 , Ephesians 2:4-7, Psalm 103:8-13

A true Christian is both a beggar and an heir.

liturgy

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9-10, Isaiah 53:4-5, Exodus 12:21-27, Matthew 21:1-11, John 12:12-16, Psalm 118:26

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People: Amen. Pastor: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the ...

illustration

Not the King they Expected

Author

N. T. Wright

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 19:16, Matthew 2:2, John 18:36-37, Revelation 17:14, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 24:7-10, Colossians 1:15-20, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-16

He [Jesus] was not the king they expected. He wasn’t like the monarchs of old who sat on their jeweled and ivory thrones, dispensing their justice and wisdom. Nor was he the great warrior-king some ha...

liturgy

The King is Coming

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, John 12:12-19, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44

This liturgical reading could begin or close your Palm Sunday processions. While written for one reader, there is the option of adding congregational responses, such as giving the shouts of Hosann...

liturgy

Prayer of Adoration We sing Hosanna

Author

Richard Herman

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

Prayer of Adoration We sing Hosanna before You, Jesus – Blessed are You who come in the name of the Lord our God! Hosanna in the highest! You are the Healer of our wounds, our hurts and our broken h...

lectionary

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Author

Geoff Helton

Keywords

Scripture

John 10:11-18, John 9:null, Genesis 4:2-4, Numbers 14:33, 1 Samuel 16:11, 2 Samuel 5:2, Isaiah 56:11, Zechariah 10:2, Jeremiah 23:1-2, Jeremiah 50:6, Zechariah 10:2-3, John 10:11-18, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 23:, Luke 15:1-7, Matthew 18:12-14, John 13:1, John 15:13, John 9:34-35

Preaching Commentary Context Signs and Dialogue There’s a reoccurring pattern in Johns’s Gospel in which Jesus performs a sign, which is followed by dialogue and then commentary from Jesus that pr...

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The Glory Being Revealed To Us

Author

J. R. R. Tolkein

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 8:18, Revelation 19:16, Matthew 2:2, John 18:36-37, Revelation 17:14, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 24:7-10, Colossians 1:15-20, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-16

In Romans 8:18, Paul describes the future of those who persevere in the faith: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us....

liturgy

Prayers of the People: Path to Salvation

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 118:25a, John 8:31-59, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

Pastor: Heavenly Father, as Your Son humbled Himself for our salvation, give to each of us and to every member of Your Church a confident faith in Christ’s Passion for us, so that during this Holy W...

Quote

Author

Nikos Kazantzakis

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 49:2, Isaiah 64:8, Psalm 66:10, Zechariah 13:9, Job 23:9

I am a bow on your hands, Lord. Draw me, lest I rot. Do not overdraw me, Lord. I shall break. Overdraw me, Lord, and who cares if I break?

liturgy

Jesus, you are our king, yet we do not

Author

Austin D. Hill

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

Jesus, you are our king, yet we do not act like it. You came in humility, to serve and give your life for the world. We do not follow your example. We live our own way and reject yours. We only claim ...

liturgy

Palm Sunday Prayer: Confession and Forgiveness

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 118:26a, 25a, John 12:12-19, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Pastor: O Lord, with the Palm Sunday crowd, we cry to You this day: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” People: “Hosanna! Save us, we pray, O Lord!” Pastor...

liturgy

Easter People, Rejoice and Trust

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 53:, Zechariah 9:9, John 20:19-23, Psalm 110:1-3

Pastor: Go now as Easter people, trusting in the promises of our risen Lord and Savior. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. He sends us to go and make disciples of all nati...

liturgy

Let us pray for the whole people

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 53:4-5, Exodus 12:21-23, Matthew 21:8-9, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 118:25-26

Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for everyone according to their needs. Holy Lord, all glory and praise are offered to You, for You are our Redeemer and King, o...

Quote

Author

C. S. Lewis

Keywords

Scripture

Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:7, James 2:13, Psalm 85:10, Zechariah 7:9, Proverbs 21:21, Luke 6:36

Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful.

Quote

Author

Brian Zahnd

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:5-6 , Exodus 34:6-7, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 85:10-11, Romans 5:8

Jesus didn’t die on the cross to change God’s mind about us; Jesus died on the cross to change our minds about God!”

liturgy

Blessing Ministry Event or Initiative

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:35-40, John 6:1-14, Zechariah 4:6, Judges 6:11-16, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Acts 4:32-35, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Proverbs 16:3, Nehemiah 2:17-20, Philippians 4:19, Acts 18:1-4, Ephesians 2:14, John 4:4-26

This blessing includes prayers for the initiative/event itself, the volunteers for the event, the leaders organizing the event, the resources to be distributed at the event, and any community partners...

liturgy

O God of Love, whose most gracious Son

Author

Morgan Phelps Noyes

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

O God of Love, whose most gracious Son rode into a city which hailed him and then rejected him, we look to thee, a company of men and women who would give themselves to be his followers. We give thee...

liturgy

Holy Spirit You are not just a whirlwind

Author

Jack Levison

Keywords

Scripture

Exodus 31:2-5, Isaiah 44:3-4, Zechariah 4:6-10, John 14:26, James 5:7-8, Psalm 1:2-3

Holy Spirit You are not just a whirlwind in the desert a tempest in a teapot You are also here in the slow growth of learning a nearly imperceptible accrual of wisdom Holy Spirit Inspire us from th...

liturgy

Though Christ was by nature divine

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:3-5, Micah 5:2-4, Zechariah 12:10, Philippians 2:5-11 , Hebrews 5:7-9, Psalm 22:6-8, 22-24

Though Christ was by nature divine, Christ did not cling to equality with God, but in utter self-emptying, took the form of a slave, and was born as a human. God have mercy. Appearing in h...

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