Third Sunday of EasterEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin. P: To you, O God, C: all hearts are open, to you all desires known. We come to you, confessing our sins. Forgive us in your mercy, and remember us in your love. Show us your ways; teach us your paths; and lead us in justice and truth, for the sake of your goodness in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. P: By water and the Holy Spirit God gives you a new birth, and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God forgives you all your sins. The God of mercy and might strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life. C: Amen. HYMN “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy and righteous God, you are the author of life, and you adopt us to be your children. Fill us with your words of life, that we may live as witnesses to the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. First Reading: Acts 3:12-19 12[Peter] addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. 17“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48 Jesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.” SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “The Strife is O’er the Battle Done” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: O God our holy one, you feed our deepest hungers. As we share the holy meal that is the body and blood of Jesus given for us, lead us to share all that we have, and find, in generosity, abundant life. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our creator, you bring forth all life on earth. Calm storms, bring water to parched places, and protect the soil. Be with our farmers as they prepare for planting season. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our savior, you offer wisdom and guidance beyond all human knowledge. Guide lawmakers, judges, and elected officials in making decisions grounded in your justice and care for all people. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our heavenly parent, you care for all your children. Encourage those who are in times of transition, facing the loss, and anticipating change. Guide those who journey in grief, hope, and uncertainty (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our center, you bring all people together in you. Help us to remember our identity and purpose in our ministry. Move us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to share in beloved community. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: O God our resting place, your Son Jesus promised that we are held in your love forever. We remember our beloved who have died. As we remember and share their love, comfort those who mourn. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church P: Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here, today, be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our true vine. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung BENEDICTION P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! P: The God of resurrection power, the Christ of unending joy, and the Spirit of Easter hope + bless you now and always. C: Amen. HYMN “This Joyful Eastertide” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
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2nd Sunday of EasterArtwork by Bernardo Ramonfaur EASTER CALL TO WORSHIP three times P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin. Silence for personal reflection P: O God, C: You have shown yourself to us by Word and Spirit, with signs and wonders, in flesh and blood, yet we still struggle to live and believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us; forgive us. Enter into our lives and cast out our fear so that we may come to trust in you and have life in Jesus’ name. Amen. P: We have an advocate with God— Jesus Christ, the righteous one— who offered his life in love to save the world from sin. This is the good news of the gospel: in Jesus Christ you are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God. HYMN “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Almighty God, with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. By the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. GOSPEL: John 20:19-31 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing HYMN “We Walk by Faith” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: Your church cries out, O God, and you listen. As you drew near to the disciples, draw near to us this day. Give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that our faith may be renewed. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your creation cries out, O God, and you listen. Nurture trees, crops, wildflowers, and all growing things. Guide farmers, gardeners, and others who tend the soil and nurture plants into life. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your world cries out, O God, and you listen. Guide police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders to work for the well-being of communities and the dignity of every person, that no one may need to live in fear. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Your children cry out, O God, and you listen. Hear your people crying out for justice, for an end to racism and other oppression, and for a world where all are fed and safe. We pray for all who cry out in suffering or pain (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian and Mary Jo.). God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Accept our gratitude, O God, for the lives of those who now rest in you. Grant us your peace amid our fears. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER P: Holy God, we give you thanks and praise for light and life and love, and—above all— the presence of the living Lord among us. By your Spirit, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in us so that our lives would bear witness to the resurrection of Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Cantonese BENEDICTION P: With the power of the Holy Spirit, let your life be a sign of Christ’s + life so that others may come to believe that the Lord is risen indeed. C: Amen. HYMN “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” CHARGE P: Go And...Tell the Story! C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Easter SundayEASTER CALL TO WORSHIP P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! HYMN “Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds” Orchestra Intro. Singing starts 2:35 THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM P: When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. P: Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you. C: We glorify you. P: Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you. C: We praise you. P: Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you. C: We worship you. P: To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. C: Amen. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy One, you come to us with power beyond all knowing. You lift all things out of the dust, you breathe love into every cell, you call us into communion with you, and you claim victory over death. Blessed be your holy name now and forever. C: Amen. GOSPEL: Mark 16:1-8 1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus’ body]. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY “Thine Is the Glory” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news. P: Holy God, we pray for the church, the body of Christ. Where the church is persecuted, protect it. Where the church is privileged, grant it humility. Where the church is fractured, heal it. Guide us all to embody Christ’s love in the world. And help us to continue to worship side-by-side even when we disagree on how to interpret your word. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Life-giving God, we pray for the earth, your good creation. As planting time approaches: guide farmers in their preparations, nourish the earth with rain and sun and good weather. Keep everyone safe in the fields and on the roads. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Merciful God, we pray for all peoples and nations. Free oppressed communities from occupation, exploitation, and abuse. Teach elected leaders your way of justice. Empower peacemakers and all who work to end violence and strife. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Liberating God, we pray for people everywhere who long for good news. Breathe new life and hope into people struggling to make it through each day. We pray for those we now name...God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Loving God, we pray for this community of faith and for your Spirit in our midst. Feed us at your communion table and fill us with your wisdom, that we may serve and care for others. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Eternal God, we remember those who have gone before us in death. Renew our trust in your promises, that we live with joyful courage and compassion. God of grace, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts can be sent to the church. P: Risen One, you call us to believe and bear fruit. May the gifts that we offer here be signs of your abiding love. Form us to be your witnesses in the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Andrea Bocelli & Choir BENEDICTION P: Now may the truth of the empty tomb—the astonishing reality of Jesus’ resurrection—keep you fearless and sure that you will see the Resurrected One again and again in this life. May the power of God’s endless love surround you and guide you, this day and always. C: Amen. HYMN “Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! CHARGE P: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! P: Go in peace. Tell what God has done. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Call to Worship One: We gather in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Prayer of Confession One: Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord’s call to struggle against all that keeps us from loving God and each other. This is the struggle to which we were called in our baptism. God never wearies of forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconciliation. On this night let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor, and enter the celebration of the great Three Days reconciled with God and with one another. All: Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Assurance of God’s Grace One: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace we have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. All: Amen. Prayer of the Day One: Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All: Amen. Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 1Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” 31b“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Sermon Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Hymn: “An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare” Prayers of the People One: God of power and might, on the night of Passover, you commanded your people to be ready to go in a hurry: to be dressed, with sandals on their feet, and walking stick in hand as they ate a special meal. We pray for people everywhere who long for freedom, who are ready, eager to do as you have commanded. Bring down oppression’s rule; overturn unjust laws; break the chains of those still enslaved; banish every form of human trafficking. Compel us, without delay, to enter a new place where all lives are honored and all voices are heard. God of tenderness and compassion, on the night before he died, Jesus set a table for his disciples. They took off their sandals and sat down in the presence of their Teacher and Lord, who washed their feet, one by one. We pray for people whose feet are tired and dusty from hard labor; for those whose backs are bent by care and worry; for those laid low by illness or guilt or grief. Wash away, we pray, the tiredness of our bodies and souls. Hold gently in your healing hands the broken places in our lives and relationships. Be our company in isolation, our source of hope in despair, and the way forward at every dead end. God of all good gifts, thank you for setting a table of welcome for everyone; for making room whether we are faithful or faithless or failures. We pray that all who are hungry will find enough to eat and clean water to drink as we share and live more responsibly. Teach us to sit down with enemies, sharing common meals and common hopes. Make us true servants of yours for the sake of the world. Teach us to love as you love for the sake of the world. We pray for faith that is worth handing on to yet another generation for the sake of the world you love. In Christ’s name we pray. All: Amen. Offering Prayer One: We are your servants, O God, for you have loosed all other bonds that held us captive. In freedom, we follow you. In gratitude, we praise you. Celebrating all that you have done for us in Christ, we bring you our tithes and offerings, asking you to add your blessing so that all that we have and all that we are may be used in blessing others. In Christ’s name we pray. All: Amen. Psalm 22 1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. 3Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame. 6But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. 7All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; 8“Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver— let him rescue the one in whom he delights!” 9Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. 10On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled; 17I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; 18they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots. 19But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! 20Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21Save me from the mouth of the lion! From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me. 22I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him. 25From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever! 27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. 30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Palm SundayCALL TO WORSHIP repeated three times P: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. C: Hosanna in the highest. PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL: Mark 11:1-11 1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, [Jesus] sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. BLESSING OF THE PALMS P: Let us pray. We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. PROCESSIONAL HYMN “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” CONFESSION P: Let us confess our sins to God, whose steadfast love endures forever. Silence for reflection P: God who knows us through and through, C: We confess that we have sinned, and although we would like to deny it, we have forsaken you. We are horrified by the suffering we cause—to you, ourselves, and the world you have created. Open the gates of your forgiveness and restore us in your love, for the sake of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. P: The Lord God helps us; we will not be disgraced. The Lord God helps us; who can declare us guilty? Sister and brothers, beyond the shadow of doubt, your sins are forgiven. By the mercy of Christ, let us stand together forgiven and free. C: Amen. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: God of salvation, our Lord entered his passion to raise us to life. In this holiest of weeks, help us to walk the way of the cross, that we may be raised in a resurrection like his and dwell forever in you, Eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that [Jesus] answered them well, [the scribe] asked [Jesus], “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” PRAYERS OF INTERSESSION P: Trusting in God’s promise to reconcile all things, let us pray for the church and a world in need. A brief silence. P: Blessed One, today the church sings glad hosannas as we enter Holy Week. Prepare us to bear witness to Christ’s suffering and death endured for our sake. Gather your people around the cross and comfort us with resurrection hope. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Establish peace and justice among the nations (including Ukraine & Russia, Gaza & Israel) Hold to account any with authority to judge others. Grant that courts, legislatures, and local governments will serve with integrity and compassion. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Bring hope to any who feel forsaken or forgotten. We pray for refugees and asylum seekers who are separated from their families. We pray for any who are incarcerated, institutionalized, or in foster care, that they may know your love. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: We lift up in prayer Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian, and Mary Jo. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER During Lent we are collecting unscented bottles of lotion for local residents of Senior Facilities. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by Worship Nation BENEDICTION P: May God bless you, give you mercy, fill you with courage, and + give you peace. C: Amen. HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Intentional! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 5th Sunday in LentLENT CALL TO WORSHIP P: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions. C: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love! P: The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. C: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Let us pray for the cleansing of our hearts, confessing our sins to the One whose mercy is everlasting. Silence for personal reflection P: Redeeming God, C: we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, and have not loved our neighbors as we ought; we have strayed from your commandments. Do not remember our sins, but forgive our iniquities, that we may fix our eyes on you and sin no more, through Christ our Lord. Amen. P: Here is God’s grace: Out of love for the whole world, God breaks every snare of sin, washes away our wrongs, and restores the promise of life through + Jesus Christ. You are forgiven in the name of our Messiah. C: Amen. HYMN “As the Grains of Wheat” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy God, by the cross and resurrection of Jesus, you lift the suffering world toward hope and transformation and open the way to eternal salvation. As we move ever closer to the passion of Christ, may your law of love be written on our hearts as he draws all people to himself revealing your love for the world. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Gospel: John 12:20-33 20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. SERMON HYMN “Now the Green Blade Rises” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Trusting in God’s promise to reconcile all things, let us pray for the church, the well-being of creation, and a world in need. P: God of the covenant, through the church you draw us into community. We give thanks for the means of grace around which we gather. Inspire writers, musicians, and artists whose creative gifts adorn our worship. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of all that exists, you lavish the earth with extravagant beauty. Preserve the rich and complex diversity of living things. Support local and national efforts to protect the environment for future generations. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of the nations, you desire peace for all people. Defend those who challenge oppression and expose corruption. Support advocates for human rights, social justice, and the welfare of children. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God, you restore what is broken. We pray for anyone experiencing estrangement, conflict, or abuse in families or intimate relationships. Protect and comfort all who are vulnerable. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of every time and place, you are with us during our times of struggle. We lift up in prayer Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, and Brian.. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of promise, we give thanks for the saints whose faith inspires us. Grant us faith to trust in your everlasting love. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. C: Amen. LENT OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. During Lent we are collecting bottles of unscented hand lotion for local residents of Senior facilities. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by Andy Williams BENEDICTION from St. Patrick P: Christ with you, Christ before you, Christ behind you, Christ within you, Christ below you, Christ above you, Christ on your right, Christ on your left, Christ when you lie down, Christ when you stand up, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of you, Christ in the mouth of every person who speaks of you, Christ in the eye that sees you, Christ in the ear that hears you. C: Amen. HYMN “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Intentional! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 4th Sunday in LentLENT CALL TO WORSHIP P: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions. C: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love! P: The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. C: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, for people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Let us uncover our sin before the liberating light of Christ. Silence for Personal Reflection P: Merciful God, C: we confess the folly of our sin and the hypocrisy of our complaints. We grumble about the evils in our world, even as we commit injustices and deceit. We fret about the scarcity of resources while hoarding earth’s goods and cheating the poor. We protest the problems of our world, but we do not actively work to address them. Merciful God, expose our sins before the light of your grace. Heal our sin and free us from our foolish ways that we me know the joy of eternal life in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. P: Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God. HYMN “Lift High the Cross” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbcBXYP4AlE PRAYER OF THE DAY Based on Ephesians 2:10 P: Almighty God, through Jesus Christ you bring salvation to the world. Give us strength to believe in him that we may share in his victory over the power of death and fulfill the purpose for which you have made us, for he dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Numbers 21:4-9 4From Mount Hor [the Israelites] set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” 6Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” 9So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. Epistle Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 1You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Gospel: John 3:14-21 [Jesus said:] 14“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” SERMON HYMN “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Sisters and brothers, confident in God’s love and mercy, let us pray for the world and for our needs. P: Holy God, you created us in Christ Jesus for good works. Help those who profess faith in Christ to do good in the world, following the way of life you have prepared for those who believe in him. For the church of Jesus Christ, Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: Your children walk by your light, doing what is true. Yet salvation is not earned by good works, but through trust in your grace. Dispel from your children arrogance of heart, that the world may be drawn to your truth by their humble witness. Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: In every age you call forth men and women of integrity to lead your people in the way of righteousness. Help pastors and teachers fulfill their calling; give them courage to speak the truth in love, and shield them from temptation to misuse their authority. For pastors and teachers, Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: God, your reign encompasses all the earth, though the nations may rebel against your justice. Save the nations from the wrath of their disobedience. Help them to dwell in peace and promote the common good. For governments and leaders, Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: You hear the cry of the sick and the afflicted. Save them from their distress, heal them of their disease, and deliver them from the destructive power of suffering. For all who sorrow in distress, (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, and Brian.) Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: O God, in Jesus Christ you have shown your love for the world. Receive our prayers, grant us what we need, save us from perishing, and bring us to everlasting life. C: Amen. LENT OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. We are collecting unscented bottles of lotion for local nursing home residents. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by Michael O’Brien BENEDICTION P: May the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the light of the Spirit bless you and keep you in the way of truth. C: Amen. HYMN “Goodness Is Stronger than Evil” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Intentional! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 |
AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
April 2024
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