ZACHARY'S NOTES:  

Stanza 1 // This prayer is especially effective as we stand in worship and sing in light of this weekend’s Gospel text. Christ does not simply lose his mind over money, but demands that worship give the “splendor of God’s love” in prayer and praise. 

Stanza 2 // The love of money, attendance, attraction, or having something to sell in the name of God is not new - nor has it been driven from Christian congregations today! These exist because of what this hymn calls a “fruitless fear.” By the Spirit’s power, we are given a promise beyond all of these concerns - one that gives assurance of God’s mercy in the midst of sin.

Stanza 3 // The life Christ gives to His people is in direct contrast [and perhaps opposition] to all the worldly wealth we might accumulate, whether money or influence. This is joy in all its fullness - one in the waters of Baptism in which we are killed and raised to life - all with a Word from God killed and raised from the dead. This is what the Psalmist says - in God’s presence is “fullness of joy!”

Stanza 4 // Even as we continue to search for answers in life - sometimes choosing convenience over Christ - God gives us a promise of grace. This is a repeated and undeserved favor, that we will see God face-to-face in worship around the throne of Almighty God.

Other Suggestions

• ELW 328 -  Restore in Us, O God // ʙᴀʏʟᴏʀ
• ELW 324 - In the Cross of Christ I Glory - RATHBUN
• ELW 328 - Restore in Us, O God - BAYLOR
• ELW 339 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
• ELW 602 - Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved - ZNÁME TO, PANE BOŽE NÁŠ
• ELW 705 - God of Grace and God of Glory - CWM RHONDDA
• ELW 775 - Jesus, Priceless Treasure - JESU, MEINE FREUDE
• ELW 757 - All My Hope on God Is Founded - MICHAEL
• ELW 803 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG
• ELW 811 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ
• LBW 96 - Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved - ZNÁME TO, PANE BOŽE NÁŠ
• LBW 97 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
• LBW 102 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ
• LBW 104 - In the Cross of Christ I Glory - RATHBUN
• LBW 335 - May God Bestow on Us His Grace - ES WOLLE GOTT UNS GNÄDIG SEIN
• LBW 415 - God of Grace and God of Glory - CWM RHONDDA
• LBW 428 - O God of Earth and Altar - KING’S LYNN
• LBW 457/458 - Jesus, Priceless Treasure - JESU, MEINE FREUDE // GUD SKAL ALTING MAGE
• LBW 482 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - ROCKINGHAM OLD
• LSB 420 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
• LSB 422 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ 
• LSB 425/426 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG // ROCKINGHAM OLD
• LSB 427 - In the Cross of Christ I Glory - RATHBUN
• ELW 743 - Jesus, Priceless Treasure - JESU, MEINE FREUDE
• LSB 850 - God of Grace and God of Glory - CWM RHONDDA
• LSB 945 - Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved - ZNÁME TO, PANE BOŽE NÁŠ
• RH 39 - Jesus, Priceless Treasure - JESU, MEINE FREUDE
• RH 52 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - FREU DICH SEHR
• RH 132 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG
• RH 138 - In the Cross of Christ I Glory - RATHBUN
• RH 194 - All Depends on Our Possessing - ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN
• RH 218 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN