Fourth Sunday in Lent
10:00 AM Service March 14, 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, rich in mercy, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen
world and rescued us from the hopelessness of death. Lead us into your light,
that all our deeds may reflect 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.
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WORD
First Reading Numbers 21: 4--9 Pg. 242
R: Word of God, Word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 107: 1—3, 17--22 Pg. 947
PS 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
PS 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this--those he redeemed from the hand
of the foe,
PS 107:3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
PS 107:17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction
because of their iniquities.
PS 107:18 They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.
PS 107:19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from
their distress.
PS 107:20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
PS 107:21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful
deeds for men.
PS 107:22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 1--10 Pg. 1819
R: Word of God, Word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Instrumental Offering
(Please rise for the Gospel.)
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After the Gospel is announced:
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel Reading John 3: 14--21 Pg. 1650
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
(Please be seated)
Sermon
(Please Stand)
Hymn # 759 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” sts. 1, 2
1. My Faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
oh let me from this day be wholly thine!
2. May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire;
as thou hast died for me, oh, may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
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
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The Prayers
L: . . .Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
Offering
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
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Hymn # 779 “Amazing Grace” sts. 1--3
1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
L: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
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*** Hymns reprinted by permission under CCLI Lic. # 2561118