Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 10:45 am Worship Service March 17, 2019 Third Sunday in Lent Setting 5 Though we sometimes doubt and often resist God s desire to protect and save us, our God persists. In holy baptism, God s people have been called and gathered into a God-initiated relationship that will endure. Lent provides the church with a time and a tradition in which to seek the face of the Lord again. Lent provides another occasion to behold the God of our salvation in the face of the Blessed One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Welcome members and guests to our worship service today. If you are visiting, we encourage you to sign the guest register located in the narthex. Please include your home address, email address and phone number. In each pew, there is a card that you can fill out if you wish to have a consult with the pastor and/or leave us more information about you. Worship times on Sunday mornings are 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. A nursery is available for children up to five years of age during the service. The nursery is located off the hallway on the Huntington Avenue side of the church building. There are also quiet bags available for older children to enjoy during the service. Please ask an usher about borrowing one. Parents are invited to bring children from the nursery for Holy Communion to receive a blessing. If children become restless or noisy during worship, parents are encouraged to take them in to and out of the sanctuary as necessary. Trinity offers an induction loop for the benefit of hearing impaired worshippers. To use, please switch your hearing aid to T. If you are unsure if your hearing aid is compatible, please contact your audiologist. Enlarged print sermon copies are available for the benefit of sight or hearing impaired worshippers. They can be found in the bulletin rack just outside the sacristy kitchen, closest to the wheelchair ramp exit door. Enlarged print sermon copies are available for the benefit of sight or hearing impaired worshippers. They can be found in the bulletin rack just outside the sacristy kitchen, closes to the wheelchair ramp exit door. The Reverend Tina Melusky, Pastor Pastor Melusky s office hours: Monday: 9-2 ; Tuesday: 9-10:30, 11:30-12:15 Wednesday 9:30-12; Thursday 9-12 (Times are sometimes flexible with monthly meetings, but feel free to call for an appointment or drop in) Rob Keene, Organist and Director of Music Congregation of Trinity Lutheran, Ministers of the Word 6812 River Road, Newport News, VA 23607 Church office: (757) 245-7861; Pastor's cell: (734) 239-4013 www.trinitylutheran-nn.com Trinity Lutheran is a partner church with Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center. Cover image by JoAnne Rawls.
Prelude Announcements Confession and Forgiveness Gathering The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who gathers us in the wilderness to redeem us, anoint us, and make us new. Amen. In these forty days, let us be honest, confess our sin, and receive God s promise of mercy. Silence is kept for reflection. God at the margins, We have wandered far from your home; again and again, we lose our way. We turn inward, afraid of the world around us. We forget that you have saved your people before and promise to do so again. Do not remember the deeds of our past, but turn our faces toward the future, where your forgiveness is sure, your welcome is clear, and your love overflows. Amen. Like a hen who gathers her chicks, God embraces you in tender care. Like manna in the desert, God feeds you with surprising mercy. Like a loving parent, God runs to meet you again this day, forgiving your sins for the sake of + Christ, leading you from death into life. Amen. The assembly turns and faces the processional cross. Gathering Hymn Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life ELW 719 The 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 God of the covenant, in the mystery of the cross you promise everlasting life to the world. Gather all peoples into your arms, and shelter us with your mercy, that we may rejoice in the life we share in 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 First Reading: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Pew Bible Old Testament page 11 God promises a childless and doubting Abram that he will have a son, that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars, and that the land of Canaan will be their inheritance. Abram s trust in God is sealed with a covenant-making ceremony, a sign of God s promise. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Psalm 27 (read responsively) The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers close in against me to devour my flesh, they, my foes and my enemies, will stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear. Though war rise up against me, my trust will not be shaken. One thing I ask of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek God in the temple. For in the day of trouble God will give me shelter, hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high upon a rock. Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies who surround me. Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. My heart speaks your message - Seek my face. Your face, O Lord, I will seek. Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your servant in anger. Cast me not away - you have been my helper; forsake me not, O God of my salvation. Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors. Subject me not to the will of my foes, for they rise up against me, false witnesses breathing violence. This I believe - that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord and be strong. Take heart and wait for the Lord!
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17--4:1 Pew Bible New Testament page 175 Although Paul s devotion to Christ has caused him to be persecuted, he does not regret the course he has taken. Writing from prison, he expresses confidence in a glorious future and encourages other Christians to follow in his footsteps. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation The Son of Man must be lifted up,* that whoever believes in him may have e- ternal life. (John 3:14-15) Gospel Lesson: Luke 13:31-35 Neither Herod s plotting nor Jerusalem s resistance to maternal love will deter Jesus from his sacrificial mission. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 13th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you. He said to them, Go and tell that fox for me, Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Time with the Children Sermon The assembly is seated. Silence is kept for reflection after the sermon. The assembly stands. Pastor Tina Pastor Tina Hymn of the Day God Loved the World ELW 323 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. Prayers of Intercession Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Sharing of the Peace The peace, which enables people to live in unity and in the spirit of mutual forgiveness, comes from Christ whose word has been proclaimed. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Receiving of Tithes and Offerings Offertory The assembly is seated. Offertory Hymn As the Deer Runs to the River (stanza 1) ELW 331 Offertory Prayer Generous God, you feed us with the harvest of the land, and you provide for our every need. Receive our gifts of money, imagination, and labor, and transform them into a feast that welcomes all, in Jesus Christ, our host and our guest. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving Meal
Proper Preface It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Sanctus Thanksgiving at the Table Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age. Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood. Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea. Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness to the land of milk and honey. Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one. Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ. Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations. 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 for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. With this bread and cup we remember our Lord s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit. Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love. Come, Holy Spirit.
With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen. 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. Amen. Agnus Dei The assembly is seated. Communion As you receive the bread in your hand, you may commune by intinction using the silver chalice, or you may consume the bread and then drink from the pewter chalice. Music During the Distribution My Faith Looks Up to Thee ELW 759 Around You, O Lord Jesus ELW 468 The assembly stands.
Sending Table Blessing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. Post Communion Prayer Tender and merciful one, at your feast, you fed us who brought nothing, turning our emptiness into joy. Filled with your abundant grace, send us now to be ministers of reconciliation, mending broken hearts, working for justice, and striving for peace among all people, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Blessing God, who fills the creation with abundance, Christ, who spreads his arms in forgiveness, Holy Spirit, who draws ever near to us, + bless you and bring you to life everlasting. Amen. Sending Hymn Faith of Our Fathers ELW 813 Dismissal Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God. Postlude Serving the Assembly Crucifer Communion Assistant Acolytes Lector Ushers/Greeters/Presenters Nursery Coordinator Nursery Supervisor Altar Guild Building Lock up Thomas McWithey John Savage Carter Recupero Samuel Molina Patricia and Jacob Wessler Don Sniady (Captain) Harry Savage Karoline Ardis Laura Jay Charlotte Duff Steve and Astrid Quist Karoline Ardis Don Sniady, Cliff Obara
Today s Music Prelude Herzlich tut mich verlangen, Op. posth. 122, Nos. 9 and 10 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Offertory From Elijah, Op. 70 Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him, and he shall give thee thy heart s desires. Commit thy way unto him, and trust in him; and fret not thyself because of evil doers. From Elijah, Op. 70 Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy He that shall endure to the end shall be saved. Music During the Distribution ROCKINGHAM Gerald Near (b. 1942) Postlude Attende Domine Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968) Guest Musician Bonnie Lambert-Baxter Mezzo-soprano