Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Transcription

1 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

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3 Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes and Liturgy of Holy Communion February 18, 2015 Noon and 7:00 p.m. GATHERING Prelude Adagio in G Minor Albinoni Silent Processional Anthem Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (noon) J.S. Bach Be Thou My Vision (7:00 p.m.) arr. Richard Walters Greeting Pastor: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And also with you. Hymn Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service Hymn #712 1 Lord, whose love in humble service 2 Still your children wander homeless; bore the weight of human need, still the hungry cry for bread; who upon the cross forsaken, still the captives long for freedom; worked your mercy s perfect deed: still in grief we mourn our dead. we, your servants, bring the worship As you, Lord, in deep compassion not of voice alone, but heart; healed the sick and freed the soul, consecrating to your purpose by your Spirit send your power ev ry gift which you impart. To our world to make it whole. 3 As we worship, grant us vision, 4 Called by worship to your service, till your love s revealing light forth in your dear name we go, in its height and depth and greatness to the child, the youth, the aged, dawns upon our quickened sight, love in living deeds to show; making known the needs and burdens hope and health, good will and comfort, your compassion bids us bear, counsel, aid and peace we give, stirring us to ardent service, that your servants, Lord, in freedom your abundant life to share. May your mercy know and live. 1

4 Psalm 51 (Read responsively.) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. 5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. 6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. 15 O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Invitation to Lent Friends in Christ, today with the whole church we enter the time of remembering Jesus' passover from death to life, and our life in Christ is renewed. We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and for God's mercy. We are created to experience joy in communion with God, to love one another, and to live in harmony with creation. But our sinful rebellion separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended. 2

5 As disciples of Jesus, we are called to a discipline that contends against evil and resists whatever leads us away from love of God and neighbor. I invite you, therefore, to the discipline of Lent - self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love - strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament. Let us continue our journey through these forty days to the great Three Days of Jesus' death and resurrection. Confession of Sins Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who brings us out of captivity into freedom, out of the wilderness into the promised land, out of death into life. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal. Have mercy on us. For self-centered living, and for failing to walk with humility and gentleness: The assembly kneels or sits. For longing to have what is not ours, and for hearts that are not at rest with ourselves: For misuse of human relationships, and for unwillingness to see the image of God in others: For jealousies that divide families and nations, and for rivalries that create strife and warfare: For reluctance in sharing the gifts of God, and for carelessness with the fruits of creation: For hurtful words that condemn, and for angry deeds that harm: For idleness in witnessing to Jesus Christ, and for squandering the gifts of love and grace: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. Through the Holy Spirit God cleanses us and gives us the power to proclaim the mighty acts of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The assembly stands. 3

6 Hymn Our Father, We Have Wandered Hymn #606 1 Our Father, we have wandered 2 And now at length discerning and hidden from your face; the evil that we do, in foolishness have squandered behold us, Lord, returning your legacy of grace. with hope and trust to you. But now, in exile dwelling, In haste you come to meet us we rise with fear and shame, and home rejoicing bring, as, distant but compelling, in gladness there to greet us we hear you call our name. with calf and robe and ring. 3 O Lord of all the living, both banished and restored, compassionate, forgiving, and ever-caring Lord, grant now that our transgressing, our faithlessness may cease. Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon, and in peace. Prayer of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The assembly is seated. WORD Lesson Joel 2:1-2, Holy Bible pg (OT) Gospel Acclamation The assembly stands. Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, Holy Bible pg. 5-6 (NT) Sermon Treasures of the Heart 4 The assembly stands.

7 Hymn Just As I Am, without One Plea Hymn #592 1 Just as I am, without one plea, 2 Just as I am, though tossed about but that thy blood was shed for me, with many a conflict, many a doubt, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 3 Just as I am, thou wilt receive, 4 Just as I am; thy love unknown wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; has broken ev'ry barrier down; because thy promise I believe, now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Apostles Creed 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 assembly is seated. MEAL Offering O Welt, ich muss dich lassen (noon) Johannes Brahms Create in Me, O God (7:00 p.m.) Johannes Brahms The Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. 5

8 Sanctus The Words of Institution The Lord s Prayer (Spoken at noon; sung by all at 7:00 p.m.) 6

9 Imposition of Ashes & Holy Communion The assembly is seated. COMMUNION INVITATION Bethany welcomes all baptized Christians who have celebrated their first communion to join in receiving the body and blood of Christ. Communion will be by station. You will receive the bread in your hand and dip it in the wine cup. Gluten free wafers (blue communion set) and alcohol free wine (orange communion set) are located at the center aisle. Communion is served continuously. You will receive the Sacrament from a server at the head of your section. You may return by the opposite aisle of your section. Those who do not commune may ask the server for a blessing. The assembly stands. Benediction SENDING Hymn The Glory of These Forty Days Hymn #320 1 The glory of these forty days 2 Alone and fasting Moses saw we celebrate with songs of praise; the loving God who gave the law; for Christ, through whom all things were made, and to Elijah, fasting, came himself has fasted and has prayed. the steeds and chariots of flame. 3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight, 4 Then grant, O God, that we may, too, delivered from the lions' might; return in fast and prayer to you. and John, the Bridegroom's friend, became Our spirits strengthen with your grace, the herald of Messiah's name. and give us joy to see your face. The congregation leaves in silence. WORSHIP LEADERS Preacher Interim Associate Pastor Debra Engquist Presiders Interim Senior Pastor Paul Svingen Pastor Russ Britton Assisting Minister Pastoral Intern Stefanie Fauth-Lemke Organist Rick Seaton Musicians Rick Smith, guest organist (noon) Angela Bergquist (7:00 p.m.) Chancel Choir, James Kim, Director (7:00 p.m.) Ushers Kris Carr, Tim Carr, Dave Okes, Scott Wiggans (noon) Jack Clouatre, Olga Hellweg, Dave Kirchner, David Laverty, Diane McAllen, Mark Mertz, Dick Metcalfe, Bob Struthers (7:00 p.m.) Acolytes Jack Berdahl, Avery Williams (7:00 p.m.) Sound Technician David Sather (noon) Laura Romig (7:00 p.m.) Sacristans Linda Sather (noon) Beth Nixon (7:00 p.m.) From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #

10 This Lent at Bethany we have chosen to dwell in the Gospel of John on our discipleship journey. We have partnered with Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis of Luther Seminary in fashioning the themes and texts to be used during our weeks together. Prof. Lewis description is found below. As well, the chart below indicates our respective focus from week to week. Wine, Water Jars, and Witness: Being a Disciple According to the Gospel of John Discipleship is no easy task these days and one s identity as a Christian is constantly challenged. Perhaps the hardest part about following Jesus is to imagine that our witness in the world can make the same kind of difference as the disciples long ago. What might we learn from the disciples in the Gospel of John that could empower, sustain, and nurture us 21 st century Christians? During these weeks we will discover the inspiring witness of the persons Jesus encounters in the Fourth Gospel so as to invite our own imaginative sense of call in our present time. Week Of Lent 2015 Passage(s) Key Verses Discipleship As Wed, February 25 & John 1 John 1:35-39 CALL Sun, March 1 (First Disciples) Wed, March 4 & John 2:1-11, John 19:25-27 ABIDING Sun, March 8 19:25-27 (Jesus, Mary, John) Wed, March 11 & John 3:1-4:42 John 4:7-15 CONVERSION Sun, March 15 (Woman at the Well) Wed, March 18 & John 9:1-10:21 John 10:11-18 RELATIONSHIP Sun, March 22 (Good Shepherd) Wed, March 25 & Sun, March 29 John John 20:30-31 (Written for Belief) STORY 8

11 Bach Lenten Devotional Available This year the Bethany Chancel Choir and staff, along with orchestra and soloists, will present the St. John Passion as a special worship service on Palm/Passion Sunday, March 29. When Bach first presented the St. John Passion to his church in Leipzig, Germany in 1724 he distributed the text of the work to his congregation with the request that they pray over it and prepare for the passion of Christ that would presented during Easter week. We are also providing a devotional booklet so you can meditate on the text and use it to pray throughout this season just as Bach and his congregation did. Copies are available at the Welcome Center in the Narthex. Lenten Labyrinth Look for the Labyrinth Walk downstairs in the youth area, Room 412, on Wednesdays during Lent from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. beginning February 25. Experience a quiet time of prayer and meditation as you remember Jesus journey to the cross. First Communion Instruction on March 1, 2-5:30 p.m. is open to students in the third grade or higher. Registration forms have been mailed to those on our third grade list and are also available at the Welcome Center. Deadline to register is February 22. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Lyon at janice@bethany-denver.org or in the church office. Journey to the Cross Story Walk Sunday, March 8, 9-10:30 a.m. Journey to the Cross is our annual dramatic telling of the Passion Week story, in which groups of children (and adults) move through six stations to hear parts of the story. Through scenery, props, lighting, music and costumes, Journey to the Cross creates a sense of being in a different time and place that allows the Passion story to come alive. Each storyteller presents a brief, firsthand account of a person who encountered Jesus, demonstrating what that person may have been thinking and feeling as a witness of his life, death and resurrection. Lenten and Holy Week Schedule Wednesdays in Lent, February 25 March 25, Noon and 6:30 p.m. (For the 6:30 p.m. service we will be using the Holden Evening Prayer.) Palm Sunday, March 29, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday, April 2, Noon and 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. is a celebration of First Communion Good Friday, April 3, Noon and 7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 4, 6:00 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 790 S. Corona St., Denver, CO The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunday, April 5, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. 9

12 Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 East Hampden Avenue Cherry Hills Village, Colorado