Atonement Lutheran Church, ELCA 1980 Silver Lake Road NW, New Brighton, Minnesota 55112 651.633.2240 www.atonementnb.org March 11, 2018 10 am Sunday Service Fourth Sunday in Lent
Welcome to Atonement! We gather weekly to hear scripture, apply God s Word to our lives, pray together as a community, and eat at Christ s table. We are strengthened for lives of love and service throughout the week. There is no age requirement or developmental pinnacle. God invites everyone to participate fully in praise. If you have questions, we would love to get to know you more. If you are interested in joining Atonement, please contact the church office or ask an usher for a membership form. Children are welcome at our worship services. Activity bags are available in the narthex and children s bulletins are available from the usher. Additionally, if you are in need of a Nursery, it is located in the Narthex. It is open to parents to use during the worship service. Ability to hear the service is available in both the Narthex and the Nursery. Thank you to all who serve: Sarah Henrich, Interim Pastor Shannon Rosas, Music Director Diane Lightbody, Accompanist March 11 March 18 Lay Assisting Minister Lorna S. Wayne H. Lector Carol U. Marilyn N. Ushers Gwen & Kevin B. Arlene D. & Bea Laubach Greeters Dave K. & Janice S. Jan & Jim Z. Bread baking Laurel N. Laurel N. Communion set up Bea Laubach Bev J. Sunday Servers Helen C. Arlene D. Scott C. Nancy J. Sally K. Carreen H. Carol U. Marilyn N. Coffee Fellowship 2
The Preparation for Worship The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. Gathering "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, vs. 1,2 & 4 # 335 ELW Led by Worship Team Confession and Absolution L: During the season of Lent we are called to return to the Lord with all our heart. Let us confess our sin and seek reconciliation with God and neighbor. Silence for reflection and self-examination. L: Merciful God, All: you sent Jesus Christ to save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We fail in love, neglect justice, and ignore your truth. Have mercy on us and wash away our sin. Create in us clean hearts for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. L: Behold, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. All: Amen. Greeting L: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All: And also with you. Kyrie Lord, Have Mercy Steve Merkel Prayer of the Day L: Let us pray. 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. All: Amen. (Assembly is seated) 3
The Word God speaks to us in scripture, preaching and song. Psalmody 22:23-31 Scripture Reading Numbers 21:4-9 L: Word of God. Word of Life. All: Thanks be to God! Lenten Acclamation Return to the Lord, Your God Page 142 ELW Gospel Reading John 3:14-21 L: This is the Gospel of our Lord. All: Thanks be to God! Sermon Silence for reflection Song: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light # 815 ELW 4
Apostle s Creed (Assembly rises) 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 the People Sharing of the Peace L: The peace of the Lord is with you always! All: And also with you! (Assembly is seated) We Offer Ourselves and Come to the Table God feeds us with the real presence of Jesus Christ. Offering My God, How Wonderful Thou Art, vs. 1-4 # 863 ELW (Please sign the Welcome to Worship Pad during the Offering) 5
Offertory Prayer L: Let us pray. 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. All: Amen. Holy Communion Gluten-free wafers and grape juice are available upon request L: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. L: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Words of Institution L: You answer sin with grace; you guide our wayward steps toward home. You are mending for the broken, safety for the poor, belonging for the outcast, strength for the weak, and pardon for the sinner. You reveal your kindness in every sorrow, your mercy even in death. All your creatures see your works; they sing your steadfast love. Holy, Holy, Holy 6 page 144 ELW L: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord and Savior 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 in 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, which is shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Together, in this holy meal, we proclaim the Lord s coming, his death, and resurrection. All: Christ has died. Christ is Risen. Christ will come again.
L: Gathered into one body through the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught: Lord s Prayer 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. Amen. Invitation to Communion L: Return to God with all your heart. Receive bread for the journey, drink for the desert. Songs during Communion "Lamb of God "Beneath the Cross of Jesus "In the Cross of Christ I Glory Communion Blessing (Assembly remains seated) page 146 ELW # 338 ELW # 324 ELW Post-Communion Prayer L: Let us pray. 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. All: Amen! Children s Time and Blessing of the Quilts 7
We Go Into the World God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. Announcements and Invitation to Coffee Fellowship Benediction L: 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 your with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you +peace. All: Amen! Sending Song Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery vs 1,2, Lent 4 # 334 ELW Dismissal L: Marked with the cross of Christ, go forth to love and serve the Lord. All: Thanks be to God! Postlude Reprinted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress All rights reserved. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress license #SBL141694 Portions of the text is taken from Sundays & Seasons, copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress Prayer ministers are available following worship at the front of the church. 8
ANNOUNCEMENTS Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude. ~A.A. Milne, English write Change of date of Women s Retreat to June 1-2. Please mark your calendar and prepare to join us as Pastor Sarah leads us through conversations 2018 Coffee Fellowship sign up sheet available in the narthex Easter Garden orders due - TODAY Memorialize or honor a loved one this Easter by purchasing a tulip, mum or hydrangea to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. A list of those remembered and honored will be printed in the Easter bulletin. Please submit completed forms along with a check payable to Atonement with Easter Garden in the memo line to Carol Hoiby s mailbox in the Fellowship Hall. Flowers can be taken home following the Sunday morning Easter service. Order forms are at the information desk. Keeping a Good Lent - On Wednesday evenings during Lent we have an opportunity to come together, gathered around food, word, song, prayer, and conversation about our future. Each week we will gather in the fellowship hall at 6pm for a light meal. At 6:30pm we will share conversation around tables and as a whole group. Each conversation will center on a way of thinking about ourselves as God s people, moving forward together into the twenty-first century. How do we share and receive God s good news with one another and in a very needy world? We won t answer every question, but we will hear each other and begin to discern what is important to keep front and center as we move into a call process. Yes, you can keep on eating through the conversation if you arrive a bit later or are a slow eater! At 6:50pm, we will share in Holden Evening Prayer in a reflective spirit. Please come, be part of these gatherings for word and worship. By God s grace we will find our calls deepened and our hearts re-filled with hope and calm. Bring you voices, your hopes and dreams for Atonement s future, and your appetite. This Wednesday evening s Soup Supper will be hosted by the Maintenance Committee. A special invitation is extended to attend this nourishing meal and the midweek Lenten Conversation and Holden Service. Your support is greatly appreciated. Choir Cantata Please join us in worship on Palm Sunday, March 25 as the choir leads with the singing of their cantata, Behold the Lamb!. This is one we sang a few years ago, and are sharing again. We would love to have many in attendance to listen and join in our worship in song. First Communion to be celebrated on Maundy Thursday Thursday, March 29 Parents who are interested in having their child begin the education to receive their First Communion on Maundy Thursday should contact Pastor Sarah. 9
King s Kids Preschool - We are currently taking registrations for 2018-19 school year that begins in September. Turn in your registration now to reserve your spot! Remember to recommend KKP as a preschool for any 3-5 year old children in your life. Calling All Readers! - We are continuing to celebrate READING in March! WE are inviting ALL Atonement friends to come spend 15 minutes or so reading their favorite preschool book (or one of ours) to our students our preschoolers LOVE visitors. Sign up sheet is available on the KKP bulletin board. Reading times are 10:30am or 2:30pm. The garage sale is coming! The garage sale is coming!!! May 9 10 -Save your bags and boxes of clothing, toys, and household items that you now longer use to donate to the preschool garage sale. Donations will be taken in April in preparation for our May sale!! Also, look through the book cart which is currently located in the Fellowship Hall. If there are books that you want to keep, please take them home prior to the sale. Remaining books on the cart will be donated to the sale. Growing Through Loss Support for Those Experiencing Loss in their Lives Growing Through Loss is a grief and loss support ministry jointly sponsored by the North Suburban Grief Support Coalition, of which 18 churches and organizations in our area are members. The coalition hosts two six-week series each year at various locations that address both the educational as well as support aspects of a variety of loss and grief issues. The spring series will be held on Thursday evenings, April 12 th through May 17 th from 6:45 p.m. 9:00 p.m., at St. Philip s Lutheran Church, 6180 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley. Pamphlets are available at the information desk. Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Karri Anderson from Cross of Glory is available at 612-419-9982 or the church office number is 763-784-2528 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Wednesdays Lenten Soup Supper and Holden Evening Prayer March 19 April Newsletter submissions are due March 29 Maundy Thursday service at 6:30pm March 30 Good Friday service at 6:30pm April 1 Easter Sunday 10