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Fourth Sunday of Lent 

PRELUDE “Reckless Love” (at the bottom of this bulletin text) 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

RINGING OF THE BELL 

Please rise as you are able 

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 

Silence is kept for reflection. 

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another. 

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. 

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen. 

GATHERING HYMN Hymn #807 

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” 

GREETING 

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

And also with you. 

HYMN OF PRAISE 

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Let us pray: God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with your mercy. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen 

Please be seated. 

WORD 

FIRST READING Joshua 5: 9-12 

By celebrating the Passover and eating the produce of the promised land instead of the miraculous manna that had sustained them in the desert, the Israelites symbolically bring their forty years of wilderness wandering to an end at Gilgal. 

9 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day. 10 While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11 On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year. 

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 

PSALM: Psalm 32 

REFRAIN 

1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put 

away! 2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit 

there is no guile! 

REFRAIN 3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my 

groaning all day long. 

4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was 

dried up as in the heat of summer. 5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you for 

gave me the guilt of my sin. 6Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of 

trouble; when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them. 

REFRAIN 

7You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you 

surround me with shouts of deliverance. 8“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will 

guide you with my eye. 9Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; who 

must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.” 10Great are the tribulations of the wicked; but mercy embraces those 

who trust in the Lord. 11Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all 

who are true of heart. 

REFRAIN 

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21 

One way to describe the gospel is the promise that in Christ everything is transformed into newness. All mistakes, all deliberate sins, all old history is reconciled with Christ’s resurrection. This is Paul’s strong message to the congregation in the city of Corinth. 

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my fa-ther, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and be-fore you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer wor-thy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 

25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never dis-obeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, be-cause this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ” 

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. 

Please be seated. 

SERMON Rev. Chris Steubing 

HYMN OF THE DAY (on back pg.) 

“Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone” 

Please rise as you are able. 

 

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 

CHILDREN’S SERMON Pastor Chris Steubing 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

The gospel according to Luke 

Glory to you, O Lord. 

GOSPEL READING Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 

Jesus tells a parable about a son who ponders his father’s love only after he has spurned it. The grace he receives is beyond his hopes. That same grace is a crisis for an older brother who believes it is his obedience that has earned his place in the father’s home. 

1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3So he told them this parable: 11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute liv-ing. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place through-out that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired him-self out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough 

 

THE APOSTLES’ CREED 

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. 

Please rise as you are able. 

THE PRAYERS 

. . .God of grace, Hear our prayer. 

THE PEACE 

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. 

Let us share the peace with one another. 

OFFERING 

OFFERING MUSIC HANDBELL CHOIR 

“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” 

Please rise as the offering is brought forward. 

OFFERING PRAYER 

Let us pray. Gracious provider, you set your immense treasures among us, opening your heart to the world. As we prepare to feast on your bountiful love, deepen our commitment to sharing those treasures with others, through our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen. 

MEAL 

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING 

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise. . . We praise your name and join their unending hymn. 

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. 

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. 

With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith; 

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. 

Remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray… 

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. 

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION 

All who are hungry, come. The feast of grace is spread. 

Communion Distribution---All are welcome to receive Holy Communion at the Lord's table. If you'd like to receive a blessing instead, you may simply come forward and cross your arms over your chest. If you are unable to come forward, please notify an usher and we will bring the sacrament to you. The communion cups contain wine (red) or grape juice (white). Gluten-free wafers are available upon request. 

Communion Hymns 

Hymn #606 “Our Father, We Have Wandered” 

Hymn #608 “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION 

Let us pray. Generous Host, you have shared your feast with us and made us new. Send us now to set tables of love and grace in our com-munities, that your liberating love might nourish the world into freedom, in the name of the crucified one, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

BENEDICTION 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

SENDING HYMN “Bless Now, O God, the Journey” Hymn #326 

DISMISSAL 

Go in peace. Care for others as God cares for you. 

Thanks be to God. 

POSTLUDE 

 

Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders: 

Our Liturgist—Ken Kleid 

Our Reader—Betty Curry 

Organist/Pianist—Jimmy Cheung 

Choir/HandBell Director—Wendy Kuenemann 

Pastor—Rev. Chris Steubing 

 

“Reckless Love” 

Verse 1 Before I spoke a word You were singing over me You have been so so good to me Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me You have been so so kind to me 

Chorus (And) O the overwhelming never-ending reckless Love of God O it chases me down fights 'til I'm found Leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it Still You give Yourself away O the overwhelming never-ending reckless Love of God yeah 

Verse 2 When I was Your foe still Your love fought for me You have been so so good to me When I felt no worth You paid it all for me You have been so so kind to me 

Bridge There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me 

Words and music by Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson. © 2017 Cory Asbury Publishing; Richmond Park Publishing; Watershed Worship Publishing; Bethel Music Publishing. Used by permission. CCLI License #2561118 

 

HYMN OF THE DAY “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone” 

John Newton, Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Used by permission CCLI #2561118 

Vs. 3 The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures. 

Chorus 2 times 

Vs. 4 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun for bear to shine. But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine, will be forever mine. You are forever mine.