Above:  Beggars, 1868

Image in the Public Domain

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Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor:

By the guidance of your Holy Spirit,

grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight;

through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Isaiah 55:11-56:1

Psalm 2:1-2, 10-12

Acts 14:14-17, 21-23

Mark 4:21-29

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 736

Above:  The Flag of Baltimore, Maryland

Image in the Public Domain

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God of compassion, you have reconciled us in Jesus Christ who is our peace:

Enable us to live as Jesus lived,

breaking down walls of hostility and healing enmity.

Give us grace to make peace with those from whom we are divided,

that, forgiven and forgiving, we may ever be one in Christ;

who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns for ever,

one holy and undivided Trinity.  Amen.

Genesis 8:12-17, 20-22

Psalm 51:1-17

Hebrews 4:12-16

Luke 23:32-43

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 737

Above:  The Virgin in Prayer, by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

Image in the Public Domain

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Almighty God, of your saving grace you called Mary of Nazareth

to be the mother of your only begotten Son:

Inspire us by the same grace to follow her example of bearing God to the world.

We pray through Jesus Christ  her Son our Savior.  Amen.

Isaiah 43:9-13, 19a

Psalm 34:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Luke 1:42-51

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), pages 729-730

Above:  Map of Nepal, 1971

Image Source = Hammond Contemporary Atlas (1971)

Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus:

Draw near to affected people in this time of sorrow and anguish,

comfort those to mourn,

strengthen those who are weary,

encourage those in despair,

and lead them to fullness of life;

through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Job 14:7-13 or Jeremiah 31:15-20

Psalm 60:105 or 130 or 80:1-7 or 23

Romans 8:35-38 or Revelation 21:1-7 or Romans 8:18-25

Luke 6:20-26 or Mark 13:14-27

–Adapted from Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), The Episcopal Church

Above:  Icon of Christ the Merciful

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Danish Text (1823) by Michael Frederik Liebenberg (1767-1828)

English Translation (1910) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Jesus, Master! at Thy word

I will work whate’er betide me,

And I know Thou wilt, O Lord,

By Thy word and Spirit guide me;

At Thy word my faith shall see

All things work for good to me.

2.  Though my toil may seem unblest,

And my lot appointed dreary,

When at eve I go to rest,

From my labor faint and weary;

At Thy word I will each morn

To my work with joy return.

3.  Though I be of joys bereft,

And by sorrows overtaken,

Yet I know a solace left:

I am not by Thee forsaken;

Jesus, Thou canst aid afford.

Fraught with comfort is Thy word.

4.  At Thy word in faith I press

Onward through this vale of sadness;

By Thy grace I shall possess

Victor-palms in heavenly gladness;

To my latest hour, O Lord,

I will trust Thee at Thy word.

Above:  Icon of Christ in Majesty

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1913/1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Texts (1676 and 1700) by Jodocus van Lodenstein (1620-1677) and Bartholomaus Crasselius (1667-1724), respectively

English Translation (1907) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Holy Jesus! Fountain streaming

Of holiness and grace redeeming,

As clear as crystal, pure and free;

Cherubim in robes of whiteness

And seraphim in all their brightness

Are darkness when compared with Thee;

Be Thou my pattern bright,

My glory and delight,

Holy Savior!

O teach Thou me, that I may be

All pure and holy, like to Thee.

2.  Gentle Jesus! self-denying,

And with Thy Father’s will complying,

Yea, even unto death resigned;

Let me e’er, Thy way pursuing,

Be guided by Thy gentle mind;

Like Thee may I be mild

And gentle as a child,

Gentle Savior!

O teach Thou me, that I may be

Meek and obedient, like to Thee.

3.  Loving Jesus! Thou my treasure,

Whose love to man no thought can measure,

Conform me to Thine image bright;

Send Thy Spirit, grace bestowing,

That I, in every virtue growing,

May ripen for the realms of light;

O draw me after Thee,

Forever Thine to be,

Loving Savior!

Thou givest rest to souls distressed,

And all who learn of Thee are blest.

Above:  Map of Nepal, 1945

Image Source = Hammond’s New Era Atlas of the World, 1945

Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Prayer Source = Chalice Worship (1997), Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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Lord of compassion and power,

be with those who have survived this disaster;

minister to their needs of mind and spirit, body and circumstance;

help those who are hurt;

give peace to the dying;

comfort and support the bereaved;

and to all who are working to bring relief and restore order,

give strength and resilience to do their work well;

for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Above:  De Profundis

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Text (1557) by Clement Marot (1497-1544)

English Translation (1907) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  O Lord, hear Thou my calling,

Out of the deep I cry;

O make my prayer prevailing;

With aid to me draw nigh:

O mark my lamentation,

My restless sighing hear,

And to my supplication

Incline Thy gracious ear.

2.  If Thou shouldst mark abuses

And strict account demand,

O Lord, with what excuses

Could we before Thee stand?

But if with true contrition

Our sins we mourn and blame,

Thou savest from perdition

That we may fear Thy name.

3.  In God my hope abideth,

My trust is in the Lord,

My soul in Him confideth

And builds upon His word:

My soul for Him is yearning,

More longing for His grace

Than daylight’s sweet returning

The watchman longs to trace.

4.  Be God thy strong foundation,

Thou chosen Israel;

Thy God with whom salvation

And mercy ever dwell;

His river ever streameth,

With pardon full and free,

He Israel redeemeth

From all iniquity.

Above:  St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Snellville, Georgia, June 29, 2015

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Danish Words (1837) by Nikolai Grundtvig (1783-1872)

English Translation (1909) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Abide among us, we implore Thee,

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Spirit breathe!

And let the babes we bring before Thee

Now be baptized into Thy death.

2.  Lord, after Thee we Christians call them,

O let them in Thy name arise!

And keep them Thine whate’er befall them,

That they may reach Thy paradise.

3.  If Thou their earthly race shouldst lengthen,

Thy faithful servants let them prove;

If few their days, their weakness strengthen,

That they may share Thy dying love.

4.  O write Thy blessed name, dear Savior,

Upon their hearts, we Thee implore;

And on Thy palms engrave this favor,

That they are Thine for evermore.

Above:  The Coat of Arms of Nepal

Image in the Public Domain

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God of earthquake, wind, and fire,

tame natural forces that defy control,

or shock us with their fury.

Keep us from calling disaster your justice;

and help us, in good times or in calamity,

to trust your mercy which never ends,

and your power,

which in Jesus stilled storms,

raised dead,

and conquered evil.  Amen.

–Adapted from Book of Common Worship (1993), page 801

(I modified the last line to reflect the Classic Theory of the Atonement.)

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