St Mark s Lutheran Church Growing Together in Christ INVITATION TO LENT Friends in Christ, with the whole church we have entered the time of remembering Jesus' passover from death to life, through which our life in Christ is renewed. During this holy season we acknowledge 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. 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. OUR WORSHIP TODAY is one of Word and Sacrament. All baptized Christians are welcome to the Lord s Table to receive the gift of his body and blood. Please come forward by the side aisle to the chancel rail picking up a cup along the way. A ramp is available in the side entrance to the left for those who prefer to not use steps. We offer the wine or grape juice from a pouring chalice. Gluten free wafer are also available. Following a table blessing, please return by the side aisle. Children who have not received instruction for first Holy Communion are welcome to come to the altar to receive a special blessing. If you are unable to come forward please let the pastor or ushers know and you will be served in the pew. Holy Communion Liturgy Sundays of Lent Silent Prayer / Prelude Greetings, Announcements ORDER OF WORSHIP * Congregation is invited to stand as you are able and to respond with the words in bold type. Meditation Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery ELW 334 Congregation is invited to join in singing
GATHERING *CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the well of eternal life, the light of the world, the breath giving life to dry bones. C: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. For self-centered living, For longing to have what is not ours, Lent 1 February 22 Lent 4 March 15 From the dawning of creation Give us eyes to see you clearly; you have loved us as your own; make us children of your light. stay with us through all temptation, Give us hearts to live more nearly make us turn to you alone. as your gospel shining bright. Lent 2 March 1 Lent 5 March 22 In our call to be a blessing, God of all our fear and sorrow, may we be a blessing true; God who lives beyond our death, may we live and die confessing hold us close through each tomorrow, Christ as Lord in all we do. love as near as ev ry breath. Lent 3 March 8 Living Water of salvation, be the fountain of each soul; springing up in new creation, flow in us and make us whole. Copied by permission from OneLicense.net. Number A-715337 For misuse of human relationships, For jealousies that divide families and nations, and for rivalries that create strife and warfare, For reluctance in sharing the gifts of God, 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. *GATHERING HYMN *GREETING The free gift of grace in Jesus Christ, the reconciling love of God, and the life and peace of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And also with you. *KYRIE *PRAYER OF THE DAY February 22 - Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. March 1 - Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. March 8 - Holy God, through your Son you have called us to live faithfully and act courageously. Keep us steadfast in your covenant of grace, and teach us the wisdom that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. March 15 - O God, rich in mercy, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world and rescued us from the hopelessness of death. Lead us into your light, that all our deeds may reflect your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. March 22 - 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, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. WORD FIRST READING Printed in your bulletin A: A reading from. The reading is concluded with The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
THE RESPONSIVE READING SECOND READING Printed in your bulletin A: A reading from. The reading is concluded with The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. * LENTEN ACCLAMATION *GOSPEL Printed in your bulletin The holy gospel according to. Glory to you, O Lord. The gospel is proclaimed, concluding: The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. CHILDREN S MESSAGE SERMON *HYMN OF THE DAY Psalm printed in your bulletin *APOSTLES CREED A: With the whole church, let us confess our 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. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each petition ends in Lord, in your mercy, Congregation is invited to affirm with hear our prayer Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace, and may say Peace be with you or similar words. GATHERING OF THE GIFTS OFFERTORY ANTHEM MEAL
*OFFERTORY RESPONSE *GREAT THANKSGIVING *OFFERTORY PRAYER *PREFACE 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 prepare with joy for the paschal feast that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. 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: A: 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.
*HOLY, HOLY, HOLY 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. With this bread and cup we remember our Lord's passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. P: 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. C: Come, Holy Spirit. P: 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. C: Come, Holy Spirit. P: 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. C: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. *INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to Christ, broken and poured out for you. Thanks be to God! LAMB OF GOD 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.
DISTRIBUTION *COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in eternal life. *POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE *POST-COMMUNION PRAYER A: Let us pray. 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. *BLESSING The blessed, holy Trinity keep you in grace, lead you in light, and give you peace. *SENDING HYMN DISMISSAL A: Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God. Postlude From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #47891. 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. In a commitment to good stewardship, please leave this worship booklet in the pew rack for future use. You are encouraged to take the bulletin with you for use throughout the week. If you have no use for the bulletin, you are invited to deposit it in the recycle box as you exit this level of the church. Thank you for worshipping at St Mark s Lutheran Church. Announcements & News: For weekly updates, please see your bulletin insert. If inclement weather creates the need to cancel worship, notice will be given on the church s telephone answering service, and on WFMZ TV; if you have internet service, check wfmz.com under church cancellations. We will strive to have worship every Sunday, but we also realize the forces of nature are beyond our control. Before leaving home when the weather is bad, please consult the above to be sure there is worship.
Communion Assistants needed: Training provided! To volunteer, please contact the church office. Altar Guild Has Been Simplified! Directions are printed and easily seen. You can serve before service, after service, or come in during the week. You can split the month with a friend! If you are interested in serving in Altar Guild, a sign-up sheet is in the left sacristy! Please consider volunteering! Thank you!! 2015 Sponsorship: You can check/change your dedication on the sponsorship calendar or by contacting the church office. There are also sign-up sheets for OPEN sponsorships. Please consider sponsoring if you do not already. Costs start at $5. Please bring the following foods for the Lutheran Pantry: Canned: Mixed Vegetables, Beets, Green Beans, Juices, Fruits, Corn, Carrots, Tuna, and/or Kidney Beans. Dry cereal (hot and cold) Boxes of Powdered Milk Peanut Butter and Jelly Spaghetti Sauce (jars or cans) 1 lb Boxes or 5 lb Bags of Sugar Keep in mind: monetary donations can also be used effectively. ST MARK S LUTHERAN CHURCH Growing Together in Christ 5 Brooke Manor, Birdsboro, PA 19508 (610) 582-8167 stmarkbirdsboro@dejazzd.com Website: www.stmarkbirdsboro.org The Rev. Robert A. Kramer, Pastor (717) 405-0044 Pastor Bob s e-mail: pastorbob@stmarkbirdsboro.org