THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 31st, 2019 PRELUDE Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling Mark Albrecht

Holy Communion (V) TOWER BELLS

WELCOME
INTRODUCTION

The psalm sets the tone this day: “Happy are they whose transgressions
are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!” Happy are those who have
“become the righteousness of God” in the merits of Christ Jesus. Happy
are those for whom the forgiveness of God has “rolled away . . . the
disgrace” of former times. Happy is the father at the return of his prodigal
son. Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Rejoice!
CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and
a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An
usher will gladly provide you with assistance.
PENITENTIAL RITE
The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is
marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the Holy Trinity, Father +Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, who
brings us out of captivity into freedom, out of the wilderness into the
promised land, out of death into life.
Amen. Thanks be to God!
Let us examine ourselves in light of God’s commandments, confessing our
sins before God and in the presence of one another:

As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all The congregation will sing the entire Kyrie (ELW 155) in Greek.
cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.

We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion
registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so
that we may record your presence with us.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW

O loving God, to turn away from you is to fall, to turn toward you is to rise,
and to stand before you is to abide forever. Grant us, dear God, in all our
duties your help; in all our uncertainties your guidance; in all our dangers
your protection; and in all our sorrows your peace; through Jesus Christ our
The congregation speaks each response.
Lord. Amen.
God said to the people: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of
slavery. You shall have no other Gods.
Lord, have mercy.

You shall not make for yourself any idol.

Christ, have mercy.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God. GATHERING SONG: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (ELW 807)
Lord, have mercy.
GREETING
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. The grace of our
Kyrie, eleison. Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
Honor your father and your mother. And also with you.
Christe, eleison.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
You shall not murder.
Kyrie, eleison. Let us pray.
God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all
You shall not commit adultery. with your mercy. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace,
Lord, have mercy. 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
You shall not steal. forever. Amen.
Christ, have mercy.
Please be seated.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Lord, have mercy. A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. FIRST READING: Joshua 5:9-12
Kyrie, eleison. 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
You shall not covet your neighbor’s family or household. Israelites symbolically bring their forty years of wilderness wandering to
Christe, eleison. an end at Gilgal.
Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your 9
The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the
God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.
your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this:
Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than 10
While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in
these." the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho.
Kyrie, eleison. 11
On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the
land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12The manna ceased on the day
Silence is kept for reflection. 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.
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin and
made us alive together with Christ. Almighty God, Father (+)Son, and Holy The word of the Lord.
Spirit have mercy on us, forgive us our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thanks be to God.
strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us
in eternal life. Amen.
We invite you to stand.
PSALM 32 reconciled with Christ’s resurrection. This is Paul’s strong message to the
congregation in the city of Corinth.
Refrain:
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. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new
creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Tone: 18
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has
given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was
reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them,
and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20So we are ambassadors
1 for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on
Happy are they whose transgressions | are forgiven,
behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin
and whose sin is | put away!
2 who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of
Happy are they to whom the LORD im- | putes no guilt,
God.
and in whose spirit there | is no guile! R
3 The word of the Lord.
While I held my tongue, my bones with- | ered away,
Thanks be to God.
because of my groaning | all day long.
4
For your hand was heavy upon me | day and night;
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
my moisture was dried up as in the | heat of summer.
5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not con- | ceal my guilt.
Please stand.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” Then you
forgave me the guilt | of my sin.
6 All sing the response, the choir will sing the verse then all repeat “Glory
Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in | time of
and praise…”
trouble;
when the great waters overflow, they | shall not reach them. R
7
You 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.
9
Do 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.”
10
Great are the tribulations | of the wicked; Verse: I will arise and go to my fa- | ther and say,*
but mercy embraces those who trust | in the LORD. I have sinned against heaven | and before you. (Luke 15:18)
11
Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice | in the LORD;
shout for joy, all who are | true of heart. R GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
As the Gospel is announced, worshippers are invited to trace a cross upon
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 their forehead, then over their lips, and then over their hearts, silently
One way to describe the gospel is the promise that in Christ everything is praying, “May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever on my mind, on
transformed into newness. All mistakes, all deliberate sins, all old history is my lips, and in my heart.”
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the
Glory to you, O Lord. fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always
with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice,
Jesus tells a parable about a son who ponders his father’s love only after because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost
he has spurned it. The grace he receives is beyond his hopes. That same and has been found.’ ”
grace is a crisis for an older brother who believed it was his obedience that
earned his place in the father’s home. The gospel of the Lord.
1
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Praise to you, O Christ.
[Jesus.] 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying,
Please be seated.
“This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3
So he told them this parable: 11b“There was a man who had two sons.
SERMON Pastor Charles Peterson
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 Silence for reflection follows the sermon.
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 living. The congregation stands for the hymn
14
When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that
country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to HYMN OF THE DAY: Just As I Am, without One Plea (ELW 592)
one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the
CREED
pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were
As they recite the creed, worshippers are invited to bow beginning with the
eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he
words “born of the virgin Mary,” until the words “he descended to the
said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to
dead.”
spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father,
and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;
19 I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your
hired hands.” ’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived
far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put
by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I
Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at
called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a
the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and
robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals
the dead.
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
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of
found!’ And they began to celebrate.
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life
25
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and
everlasting. Amen.
approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the
slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come,
The congregation may kneel for prayer.
and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe
and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For
all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people,
disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat according to their needs.
so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours
 The assembly kneels or stands. The following litany is sung. For our bishops, Elizabeth and Suzanne, our bishops, for all servants of the
church, for Trinity Lutheran Church, and for all people who await from the
Lord great and abundant mercy, let us | pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Other petitions may be added.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

The congregation will be invited to offer their own thanksgivings and

prayers. A time of silence follows.

Giving thanks for all who have gone before us and are at rest, rejoicing in
the communion of name/s and all the saints, we commend ourselves, one
another, and our whole life to you,

For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us | pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us | pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let The litany may be followed by one or more additional prayers.
us | pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just
works: give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give,
For the health of the creation, for abundant harvests that all may share, and that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; and also that we,
for peaceful times, let us | pray to the Lord. being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and
Lord, have mercy. quietness; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen.
For public servants, the government, and those who protect us; for those
who work to bring peace, justice, healing, and protection in this and every RITE OF ANOINTING FOR HEALING
place, let us | pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. “The order for healing is an expression in worship of the church’s ministry
of healing. Each person may come to receive a word of blessing and prayer
For those who travel, for those who are sick and suffering, and for those for healing and forgiveness, along with laying on of hands and an
who are in captivity, let us | pray to the Lord. anointing. These signs, first given in baptism, tell us again that we are
Lord, have mercy. sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked forever with the cross of Christ, who
is health and salvation for the world.
For deliverance in the time of affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us |
pray to the Lord. In its ministry of healing, the church does not replace the gifts of God that
Lord, have mercy. come through the scientific community nor does it promise a cure. Rather
the church offers and celebrates gifts such as these: God’s presence with
strength and comfort in time of suffering, God’s promise of wholeness and
peace and God’s love embodied in the community of faith.”

Brothers and sisters, James writes: “Is any one of you sick? Let him call the
elders of the church to prayer over him and anoint him with oil in the name
of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise him up.” I invite you to come forward for
anointing and prayer in the name of the Lord.

Worshippers may come forward.

The minister will anoint each with the sign of the cross, praying:
OFFERING PRAYER
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit uphold you, fill you with grace,
God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of
and heal your every ill. Amen. grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your
bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
When all have returned to their seats, the congregation stands
to greet one another in the peace of the risen Christ.
DIALOGUE
PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.
Please be seated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERTORY Meditation on Just As I Am, without One Plea Wells

We invite you to please stand and sing:

OFFERTORY HYMN Create in Me a Clean Heart (ELW 188)

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

 Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we await the day when
Jesus shall return to free all the earth from the bonds of slavery and death.
Come, Lord Jesus! And let the church say, Amen. Amen.

Send your Holy Spirit, our advocate, to fill the hearts of all who share this
bread and cup with courage and wisdom to pursue love and justice in all the
world. Come, Spirit of freedom! And let the church say, Amen. Amen.

Join our prayers and praise with your prophets and martyrs of every age,
that, rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection, we might live in the freedom
and hope of your Son.

Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and
honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Worshippers are invited to bow with the consecration of the Lord’s body
and blood, each time the words “Do this for the remembrance of me,” are
spoken.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this
far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided
us into the path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to call us
to love you by serving all humanity in love. The cry of the poor has become
your own cry; your people’s hunger and thirst for just peace is your own
desire. In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good
news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to
ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin. In the night in which he was
betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it
to his disciples, saying:
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 all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the
Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION those in need, fast from self-indulgence, and above all that we may find our
treasure in the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
All who desire to die to themselves, pick up their cross, and live in Christ,
come to the feast of the Lord’s body and blood. POST COMMUNION HYMN Now, Lord (ELW 201)

Lutherans believe, teach and confess that we receive the true Body and
Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. If you desire to pick up the cross and
live in Christ, we hope you will receive with us. Even if you do not feel
prepared to receive the sacrament today we hope you will join us at the
table. Simply hold your hands over your heart and the pastor will give you
a blessing. Pastor will be glad to discuss Holy Communion and Holy
Baptism with you!

Please be seated.
LAMB OF GOD

BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine upon you with
grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
COMMUNION HYMN Healer of Our Every Ill (ELW 612) In the name of the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Once the altar is cleared and the hymn is sung, the congregation stands. DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Love as God has loved you.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Thanks be to God.
Merciful God, accompany our journey through these forty days. Renew us POSTLUDE Festival Prelude on Old Hundredth Walter L. Pelz
in the gift of baptism, that we may provide for those who are poor, pray for