Season of Lent Sunday, March 5, 2017 8 am
WELCOME TO WORSHIP We believe children belong in worship! But if you feel your child needs a break, please seek out the service of our nursery. Silvia Lopez, our childcare provider, will be happy to assist you. Activities to keep young worshippers engaged during service can be found in the canvas bags hanging from the colorful trees in the Narthex. Crayons, coloring pages and other items are available for their use to help make this a family friendly experience. Please see an usher for assistance. Welcome Cards - Let us know you were here by filling out the welcome card found in the pew holder. Make sure you give a legibly written first and last name so that it can be recorded accurately. Worship Guests can share as much or little info as they wish. If you are looking for a spiritual home, our worship life and learning programs are open to you. For more information, please contact Pastor Lowell through the church office at 513.777.8449/pastorlowell@lol-lutheran.com.
PRELUDE GOD CALLS US TOGETHER WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please rise as you are able. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS In the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God of heaven and earth, you come in close and make us yours. Equip us by your Spirit to confess our sin, embrace your forgiveness, and seek the way you set before us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. With honesty of heart, let us confess our sin. Silence for reflection and self-examination. Merciful God, forgive us. Our will is handcuffed to sin, and we cannot break free. We have spoken when we should have kept quiet. We were silent when we should have said something. We acted when we knew better. We were still when we know we should have moved. For the wrong we have done, for the good we have failed to do, have mercy on us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Son, given to heal you and set you free because God loved the world so much. Take hold of life eternal life! GATHERING HYMN The Church of Christ in Every Age ELW 729 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.
KYRIE
PRAYER OF THE DAY Compassionate God, how easily you love those who look unlovable to us! How readily you welcome undesirables into your home! How slow we are to follow your example. Turn our hearts toward all who are considered outcast, shunned, and unclean, so that we may love our neighbor without pity or apathy. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our redeemer. Sit GOD SPEAKS TO US CHILDREN S SERMON FIRST READING - Psalm 15 Read responsively 1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved. Word of God. Word of life. Thanks be to God. Stand GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL Luke 10:25-42 The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. 25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" 27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." 38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sit SERMON Pastor Lowell Michelson Stand HYMN OF THE DAY When the Poor Ones ELW 725
CONFESSION OF 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. THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH after each petition Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. The prayers conclude: THE SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. You may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace (a handshake, hug, nod of your head, etc.) and say "Peace be with you" or similar words. You re then invited to Text or Tweet the Peace to a member of Christ s body not here this morning after sharing the Peace with others. Sit
ANTHEM GOD FEEDS US Stand OFFERING OFFERING PRAYER Merciful God, receive the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving and the offering of our lives, that following in the way of the cross, we may know the joy of the resurrection; through Christ our Lord. DIALOGUE
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE in your holy Church, both now and forever. THE LORD S PRAYER 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. INVITATION TO COMMUNION Return to God with all your heart. Receive bread for the journey, drink for the desert. Thanks be to God. Sit
THE DISTRIBUTION All are welcome to the communion table. Holy Communion is a gift of God s grace, which offers forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. All who believe in Jesus Christ are invited to receive his body and blood in the bread and wine of this meal. The communion tray is filled with wine (outer two rings), grape juice (inner circle) and water (center ring). Gluten-free wafers are available by request. If you wish, you may come forward to receive a blessing instead of the bread and wine. If you have difficulty coming forward for communion, please let an usher know. We will be glad to bring the bread and wine to you. LAMB OF GOD
COMMUNION HYMN For the Fruit of All Creation ELW 679 Stand GOD BLESSES US AND SENDS US COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pilgrimage: may our fasting be hunger for justice, our alms, a making of peace, and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts; through Christ our Lord.
BLESSING May God who has called us forth from the dust of the earth, and claimed us as children of the light, strengthen you on your journey into life renewed. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord s face shine upon you with grace and mercy. peace. SENDING HYMN The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve ELW 551 DISMISSAL Because God first loved us, let us depart in peace. To live, share and celebrate with all people God s love in Jesus Christ. Amen! + + + SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY Presiding Pastor Lowell Michelson Music Director John Johns Organist Bob Burnette Lay Assistant Becky Mastalerz Acolyte Jillian Kreimer Communion Servers Becky Mastalerz & Jillian Kreimer Reader Eunice Sheffer Greeters Jim & Cindy Hosmer Ushers Mark Dalhart & Barry Burke Altar Guild Ann Popoff Bread Baker Anita Chiaramonte Counters Jeff Hills & Barb Mackey Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #45045. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.