THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD March 18, 2018 9:00 am GATHERING WELCOME CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 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. Amen. With honesty of heart, let us confess our sin. (silence for reflection and self-examination) Merciful God, Forgive us. Our will is in bondage 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. Amen. People of God, look to the Son, given to heal you and set you free because God loved the world so much. Take hold of eternal life! Amen. 1
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Restore in Us, O God 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 All sing: For peace in the world, for the health of the church, for the unity of all; for this holy house, for all who worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord refrain That we may live out your impassioned response to the hungry and the poor; that we may live out truth and justice and grace, let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord refrain 2
For peace in our hearts, for peace in our homes, for friends and family; for life and for love, for our work and our play, let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord refrain For your Spirit to guide; that you center our lives in the water and the Word; that you nourish our souls with your body and blood, let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord refrain PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, with steadfast love you draw us to yourself, and in mercy you receive our prayers. Strengthen us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that through life and death we may live in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, whom with you and the Holy Spirit we worship and praise, one God, now and forever. Amen SERVICE OF THE WORD FIRST READING Jeremiah 31:31-34 31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will SECOND READING Hebrews 5:5-10 5 Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, You are my Son, today I have begotten you ; 6 as he says also in another place, You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 3
GOSPEL VERSE HOLY GOSPEL John 12:20-33 The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 12 th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say Father, save me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again. 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, An angel has spoken to him. 30 Jesus answered, This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. CHILDREN S MESSAGE 4
HYMN OF THE DAY Now the Green Blade Rises SERMON APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 PRAYER (Response to each petition) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 5
SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING OFFERTORY PRAYER Let us pray. God, our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT PRAISE AND 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. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and return to you for you are gracious and full of compassion. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: SANCTUS ( Holy, holy, holy } 6
WORDS OF INSTITUTION 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 ( Lamb of God ) COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION Scripture says, Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther s Small Catechism says, Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink. All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who share our belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion are invited to come to the table and receive a blessing. As you approach the table down the aisles, receive an empty cup from the cart. Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar. After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace. As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right. Non-alcoholic wine is offered in pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack. Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who prefer this option. 7
DISTRIBUTION SONGS Let Us Break Bread Together Christ the Life of All the Living 8
SENDING DISMISSAL The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Merciful God, accompany our journey through these forty days. Renew us in the gift of baptism, that we may provide for those who are poor, pray for 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 BLESSING 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. Amen Go in peace. Christ lives in you. Thanks be to God. CLOSING HYMN I Want Jesus to Walk with Me 9
SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY Worship leader Jon Marxhausen Elder Errol Bartz Piano Mary Dinesen Lector Kathy Rehbein Ushers Lori Ruppel / Brenda Miller Acolyte/Crucifer Jake Richter Greeter Shirley Muelken DON T FORGET YOUR 3-MINUTE MINISTRY The 3-minute ministry is our way of intentionally caring for one another after worship on Sunday mornings. This time of fellowship takes place immediately after the announcements and lasts for 3 minutes. (or longer!) 10
WELCOME TO GRACE OF GOD Thank you for worshipping with us today. Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway. Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God. You are always welcome at Grace of God. GRACE OF GOD MISSION STATEMENT Grace of God is a Christ-centered community gathered around Word and Sacrament, preaching Christ crucified, serving our neighbor and discovering what it means to live under the grace of God. SMALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD Busy bags for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors. That room X also has a speaker to hear the worship service. March 18-25, 2018 Sunday, March 18 9:00 am WORSHIP LENT 5 Fellowship time after worship 10:15 am Sunday School Monday, March 19 3:30 5:30 pm FARE FOR ALL 7:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday, March 20 9:30 am Women s Bible Study 7:30 pm Cantate Choir Wednesday, March 21 6:15 pm Handchime Choir 7:00 pm LENT EVENING PRAYER WORSHIP Sunday, March 25 9:00 am WORSHIP PALM/PASSION SUNDAY Fellowship time after worship 10:15 am Sunday School 11
THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 at 7:00 pm SERVING IN WORSHIP DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS 3/18/18 Errol Bartz Jake Richter Kathy Rehbein Lori Ruppel / Brenda Miller Shirley Muelken 3/21/18 Evening Prayer Errol Bartz George Zetterwall Eileen Ocone Kathy Rehbein Franklin & Sue Hotzel 3/25/18 Errol Bartz Cherish Frelix Marilyn Epland Becky Vigstol / Jenny Hanson Jeff & Jill Olofson 3/29/19 Maundy Thursday Paul Hartleben Ella Fahey Matt Onken Allen & Sally Warren Ken & Doreen Rubbert 3/30/19 Good Friday Paul Hartleben Kiernan Benson Bruce Gilman Bruce Gilman/ Jerry Corson Allen & Sally Warren 4/01/18 Paul Hartleben TJ Richter Pam Fallert Sun Franklin & Sue Hotzel Lori Ruppel 4/08/18 Paul Hartleben John Frelix Chris Fallert Jim & Jan Roth Errol & Cindy Bartz March 22-24 March 29-31 April 5-7 CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE TEAM 5 Randy & Janice Henderson/Bruce & Audrey Gilman/Janice Roth TEAM 6 Paul & Cami Hartleben/ Tom & Karen Schoenberg TEAM 7 Byron and Marilynn Epland/ Onken Family 12
LENT SERVICE PROJECT During Lent we ll be collecting coins and cash to provide Bega Kwa Bega secondary student scholarships. Our collection goal during Lent is $1,300! Each scholarship costs about $400. Currently, Grace of God supports 3 student scholarships. Unlike here in the United States, Tanzania students attend school January-December. During the 2017 Tanzania school year Grace of God provided funding for: Christian Ngubi Level Form II, Elinathna Msovela Level Form IV, and Mariamu Mgaya Level Form I. We recently received the names the students we are sponsoring during 2018: Christian Ngubi Level Form III Marianmu Mgaya Level Form II Methsela Msovela Level Form II If you have any questions please contact Audrey Gilman. 651-352-2888 or aggilman@comcast.net. Wondering if any Grace of God adults are interested in a mission trip? If you are, please contact Audrey Gilman. 651-352-2888 or aggilman@comcast.net. PIZZA RANCH YOUTH FUNDRAISER Wednesday, March 28 4-8 pm At the MAPLEWOOD PIZZA RANCH (just north of Maplewood Mall near 694 and White Bear Ave) Come support our youth mission trip to ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS in NEW YORK! Passover Seder Dinner Maundy Thursday, March 29 5:00 pm The celebration of the Lord s Supper has its roots in the Old Testament commemoration of God s great deliverance from slavery to freedom marked by the blood of the lamb. Our Passover Seder is a Christian observance of this Old Testament festival that shows the fulfillment that Christ brings by being the Passover Lamb who was slain for us. All are invited to participate in this special dinner experience. The cost is $11 a person or $45 for immediate family (parents and children). Sign up at the bulletin board by the kitchen door. 13
GRACE OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH 420 Hayward Avenue North Oakdale, Minnesota 55128 651.730.4900 www.graceofgodlutheran.com Jon Marxhausen, pastor 14