Fifth Sunday in Lent
10:00 AM Service March 21, 2021
GATHERING
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
(Please Stand)
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the keeper of the covenant, the source of
steadfast love, our rock and our redeemer.
Amen.
God hears us when we cry, and draws us close in Jesus Christ.
Let us return to the one who is full of compassion.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Fountain of living water,
Pour out your mercy over us. Our sin is heavy, and we long to be free. Rebuild
what we have ruined and mend what we have torn. Wash us in your cleansing
flood. Make us alive in the Spirit to follow in the way of Jesus, as healers and
restorers of the world you so love. Amen.
Beloved, God’s word never fails. The promise rests on grace: by the saving love of
Jesus Christ, the wisdom and power of God, your sins are + forgiven, and God
remembers them no more. Journey in the way of Jesus.
Amen.
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
L: Let us pray:
O God, with steadfast love you draw us to yourself, and in mercy you receive our
prayers. Strengthen us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that through life and
death we may live in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
First Reading Jeremiah 31: 31--34 Pg. 1227
R: Word of God, Word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
1
Psalm: Psalm 51: 1--12 Pg. 947
PS 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your
great compassion blot out my transgressions.
PS 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
PS 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
PS 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so
that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
PS 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
PS 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the
inmost place.
PS 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than
snow.
PS 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
PS 51:9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
PS 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
PS 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
PS 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to
sustain me.
Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 5--10 Pg. 1867
R: Word of God, Word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Instrumental Offering “Lift High the Cross” Hymn #660
(Please rise for the Gospel.)
After the Gospel is announced:
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel Reading John 12: 20--33 Pg. 1671
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
(Please be seated)
Sermon
(Please Stand)
Hymn # 660 “Lift High the Cross” st. 3
Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
3. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw us all to thee. (Refrain)
L: Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
The Prayers
L: . . .Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
Offering
3
Thanksgiving for the Word
Gracious God, who has named and claimed us, calling us your beloved children, you
know the secrets of our hearts. When we sin and stray from your paths, you astound
us with your saving grace. For this Word of life,
we give you thanks.
Loving Jesus, living Word, in you the Kingdom of God has come near; through you all
that was lost has been found. Help us to boldly follow wherever you may lead,
trusting your promise that we need not fear, for you are with us. For this Word of life,
we give you thanks.
Holy Spirit, the mystery in which we dwell, into our scarcity, your abundance flows.
Enliven all communities with your good news. Guide us to love and serve Jesus,
giving ourselves away for the sake of the world. For this Word of life,
we give you thanks.
All glory to you, holy God, now and forever.
Amen.
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, forever and ever. Amen
SENDING
Blessing
Hymn # 379 “Now the Green Blade Rises” sts. 1, 4
1. Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
wheat -- that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
3. Forth he came at Easter like the risen grain,
he -- that for three days in the grave had lain;
raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen;
love is come again like wheat arising green.
L: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude 4