CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH Concordia is the Church where the love of Christ is shared through our hearts, our hands, and our voices. THIRD SUNDAY in LENT March 24, 2019 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! -Psalm 98:1a AS WE GATHER (prepared by Jim Gann) When I read the Gospel lesson for this day, Luke 13: 1-9, it called to mind the recent earthquake in Haiti. By now, the estimates for how many died because of the earthquake have risen to well over 230,000. Many people have questioned why this happened? That was the same question Jesus addressed in today s lesson. The notion that some people are worse sinners than others is not true. We all fall short when it comes to sin. As sinners and as Christians, we know that, as Jesus said, and as is found in the Old Testament lesson, we must first repent, that is, acknowledge our sins. Then, we can ask for God s mercy, knowing that through Jesus redeeming sacrifice, we will be saved. PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS (p.15-17) CALL TO WORSHIP and PASSING OF THE PEACE RINGING OF THE BELLS (Please stand and face the Cross) 1
+ DIVINE SERVICE SETTING TWO + (Hymnal, p. 167) 2 OPENING HYMN #765 God Moves in a Mysterious Way INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION (Silence for reflection on God s Word and for self-examination) Pastor: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. People: Most merciful God, we confess that we fail to be good stewards of time, talent, and treasure. We confess that there is evil in our hearts and minds, and that we have been disobedient, doing what we should not, and not doing what we should. Nothing is hidden from Your sight. We are naked and exposed, our sins are before you, even our secret sins in the light of Your presence. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Amen.
Pastor: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. 3 THE INTROIT (Psalm 85) Pastor: Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. People: You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah Pastor: Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? People: Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Pastor: Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. People: Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Pastor: Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. People: Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Pastor: Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. People: Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. (please remain standing)
PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Let us pray together: ALL: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 4 (Please be seated) OLD TESTAMENT READING Ezekiel 33:7 20 (The prophet serves as a watchman for the house of Israel.) Reader: The Old Testament reading is from Ezekiel, chapter 36. (After the reading ) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. EPISTLE READING 1 Corinthians 10:1 13 (Our faithful God provides the way of escape to help us endure our trials and temptations.) Reader: The Epistle reading is from 1 Corinthians, chapter ten. (After the reading ) Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! (Please stand for the Verse and the reading of the Gospel Lesson)
LENTEN VERSE 5 HOLY GOSPEL Luke 13:1 9 (Jesus warns us that we will all perish unless we repent.) Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the thirteenth chapter. (The Gospel is read.) Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord. APOSTLE'S CREED All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen. 6 (Please be seated) We invite the children forward as we sing: LSB 740, v. 1 & 2 I am Jesus little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am; For my Shepherd gently guides me, Knows my need and well provides me, Loves me ev ry day the same, Even calls me by my name. Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my staff and stay. When I hunger, Jesus feeds me, Into pleasant pastures leads me; When I thirst, He bids me go Where the quiet waters flow. CHILDREN S TALK SERMON HYMN #579 The Law of God Is Good and Wise SERMON The Watchman s Responsibility
TITHES, PLEDGES, AND OFFERINGS [Please take a moment and sign the attendance book at the end of the pew] 7 (Please stand for the Prayers) PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Gracious Father, we give You thanks and praise for sending Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, into this world to bear our sins and be our Savior. Under His watchful eye, we live as Your children, protected from all danger and guarded in heart and mind. Hear now the prayers we bring before Your throne of grace. Lord, in Your mercy, People: watch over us and hear our prayer. Pastor: In Your great love for all who dwell in Your house, You appoint pastors, teachers, and other servants of Your Word who call us to repentance and faith. Grant that as we are confronted with the reality of our sin through the preaching of Your Law, and as we are comforted with the reality of Your forgiveness through the preaching of Your Gospel, we daily turn to You with hearts of worship and obedience. Lord, in Your mercy, People: watch over us and hear our prayer. Pastor: O Lord, Your eye is always on Your creation. Grant that our land be fruitful because of Your faithfulness. Bless all those who labor as You give us strength for the fulfillment of our daily callings. Guide the members of our government and all those who lay down their lives to guard and defend us that we be protected from the threats of our adversaries and give thanks to You for Your constant care. Lord, in Your mercy, People: watch over us and hear our prayer. Pastor: Healer of the broken, work mightily in the lives of all who experience hardships in their health, [including...]. Grant that all
who ask for healing mercies lift up their eyes to You, the watchman for our bodies and souls, and find peace in knowing that Your face is shining upon them. Lord, in Your mercy, People: watch over us and hear our prayer. Pastor: Watch over all who gather at Your Table this day, O Lord, to eat and drink the true body and blood of our Redeemer, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. Receiving the tangible sign of Your favor toward us, Grant that all Your children share with others the goodness we have received from You. Lord, in Your mercy, People: watch over us and hear our prayer. Pastor: Into Your loving hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. People: Amen. 8 + SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + PREFACE Pastor: The Lord be with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 9 PROPER PREFACE Pastor: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, who with Your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, one Lord. In the confession of the only true God, we worship the Trinity in person and the Unity in substance, of majesty coequal. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing: SANCTUS
10 THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Pastor: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This so, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST Pastor: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 People: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 THE LORD S PRAYER Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: ALL: 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.
11 PAX DOMINI Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: Amen. AGNUS DEI (Please be seated for the Distribution) Visitors, please review our Communion announcement found on the inside back cover of this bulletin DISTRIBUTION HYMNS #610 Lord Jesus, Think on Me #718 Jesus, Lead Thou On #761 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
12 (At the conclusion of the Distribution, we stand and sing:) NUNC DIMITTIS
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT Pastor: Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. 13 BENEDICTION Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. CLOSING HYMN #583 God Has Spoken by His Prophets Pastor: The worship is ended. People: The service now begins. Pastor: Go in peace and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE
14 IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD TODAY: Officiant Organist Assisting Ministers Usher Acolyte, 8:00 Acolyte, 11:00 Lector, 8:00 Lector, 11:00 Greeters, 8:00 Greeters, 11:00 Nursery Rev. Mark Moretz Cindy Golem Mr. Daniel Vermilya, Mr. Frank Waldron Mr. Jim Gann, Mr. Fred Tichnell Ed Asper/Chip Brown Maggie Brown, Dory Brown Zachary Miller, Sam Moretz Bob Shives Brenda Ellis Mr. & Mrs. Bob Shives Mr. & Mrs. Larry Campbell TBD Altar flowers are given to the glory of God by Bob & Sylvia Shives in honor of their 60 th anniversary.
ANNOUNCEMENTS [Please check the newsletter for additional announcements] Email addresses: Church: concordia.hagerstown@gmail.com Open Arms: openarms.hagerstown1@gmail.com This week: - Monday - PA Evening Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. (home TBD) - WV Evening Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. (Tichnell home) Wednesday LifeLight Bible Study, 12:00 p.m. Soup & Sandwich Supper, 5:45 p.m. Midweek Lenten Worship, 7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class, 6:00-6:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, 8:00 p.m. Gluten-free wafers are now available. Please let Pastor Mark know at the Communion Rail if you prefer these. Mission of the Month for March is Orphan Grain Train. 15 CHURCH SIGN MESSAGE All church events can be advertised on the Electric Sign. Please contact: 1. John Borrelli at-jborrell21@gmail.com, 2. Mark Eberly atemark353@comcast,.net Keep messages short and to the point. No need to call the Pastor or any Board Member for approval.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES Contact Ron Bucher at 301-582-2285 and leave an answer. All articles must be submitted three weeks in advance in order to have time to submit to the paper. 16 Micah s Backpack We are packing for seventeen students now. Lots of kids to share God s love with! Our current needs are small cans or microwavable vegetables and dinner items. Thanks! Church Envelopes: It is that time of year! If you do not already have church offering envelopes and would like to have them, please let Mitzie Bowman know. You can place a note in her mailbox or give her a call 301-733-3234. Mailboxes: A continued warm welcome to all of our regular visitors! Concordia serves four states and provides three Worship Services every Sunday in addition to other Ministries and activities. Communication is a challenge! There are enough mailboxes for everyone who desires a mailbox to have one. It is our most used form of giving and receiving communication. Email and Facebook are also used to help inform everyone of activities and events. Please contact Rosella Rogers or Jean Tichnell if you don t have a mailbox or if you would prefer your mailbox to be located in the Outreach Center instead of the Narthex. Thank you.
ChurchTrac: If there is a change in any of your personal information especially phone number or email address please contact Jean Tichnell @304-274- 0025 or jeantich@comcast so the info can be changed in ChurchTrac. Thank you! 17 Prayer Shawl Ministry Request forms to have a prayer shawl made for you or a loved one are on the bulletin board to the left of the mailboxes. Please complete the form and put it in Jane O Farrell s mailbox. If anyone would like to share their talent of knitting or crocheting for this ministry please contact one of the members: Jane O Farrell, and Cheryl Dawson. Group meets the 2 nd Wednesday of every month. FOOD FOR THE POOR LUTHERAN COALITION: Don t forget! We continue to collect funds to help serve the poorest of the poor. $2 per week from all our member families would mean $10,000 to help alleviate their tremendous suffering.
Worship with us! Sunday in the Sanctuary: Traditional (Liturgical) Service, 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday in the Outreach Center Praise Service, 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion celebrated at all Sunday Services 18 Sunday School meets in the Education Wing, 9:30 a.m. Together With Jesus: Parents, two s & three s Noah s Ark (Parents) Early Childhood Ages 4-6 Promised Land or Lion s Den (Chip Brown) Elementary Grades 2-5 Promised Land (Becky Brown & Maggie Brown) Middle School/Upper Grades Grades 6-8 (plus high school) Luther Room (Sylvia Shives, Bob Keane) High School, Young Adults Class/Leader plans pending Adult Bible Study, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall (Pastor William Pekari) Open Arms Preschool Registration required for 2, 3, or 4 day AM program Contact Karla Baker: 301-824-7464 (cell: 240-672-5554)
LENTEN SCHEDULE 2019 Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. 19 Lenten Midweek 1 March 13 God s Story, Our Story Lenten Midweek 2 March 20 Against This City Lenten Midweek 3 March 27 Put Christ to the Test Lenten Midweek 4 April 3 Ambassadors for Christ Lenten Midweek 5 April 10- Press On Toward the Goal Maundy Thursday April 18 The Cup of Salvation Good Friday April 19 Blood and Water Easter Sunday April 21 Whom Are You Seeking?