Contrasts of the Cross: Betrayal and Faithfulness Peace Lutheran Church 2090 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003
Peace Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Synod Serving Christ with united hearts and hands and voices Church Staff Pastor Timothy Hartwig: 507-382-6826 Vicar Matthew Behmer 763-516-1967 Church Office: 507-385-1386 Jesus Lambs at Peace Preschool Teacher/Director: Joslyn Moldstad Phone: 507-385-7752 Email: joslynmoldstad@gmail.com Divine Service 6:30 PM February 24, 2016 Third Wednesday in Lent Welcome to Peace! The purpose of our congregation is to worship God, who gives life through Word and Sacrament; to serve one another in love and fellowship; and to proclaim forgiveness and salvation to all through Jesus Christ alone. Before Worship As you prepare to worship your Lord this evening, spend a few quiet minutes in prayer before the service. Review the lessons, the service notes, and pray this prayer: Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you see that we have no power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us both outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. For the Children A Cry-Room is available if your little ones need a moment. It is the first room on the left as you walk into the church building. Sound and video are piped into the room to enable you to hear and see the service. Facilities Restrooms are located down the hall and on the right side. 2
The Divine Service: Vespers, p. 120 The Confession of Sin P: Dearly beloved! We have come together in the presence of God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hand, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His holy Word, and to ask for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and salvation. O come, let us worship Him! Let us kneel and bow down before Him. Let us confess our sins with penitent hearts, and obtain forgiveness by His infinite grace and mercy. C: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed the devices and desires of our hearts. We have offended against Your holy law. We have done those things which we should not have done, and we have not done those things which we should have done. Have mercy on us, O Lord! Spare us and restore us, according to the promises You have declared to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. For His sake grant that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Your holy name. P: The almighty and merciful Lord has granted us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins, grace for true repentance and amendment of life, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hymn #561:1-4, Abide with Me; Fast Falls the Eventide The Versicles P: O Lord, open my lips. 3
P: Make haste, O God, to deliver me. The Psalmody Psalm 43 P: Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; C: rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. P: You are God my stronghold. 4
C: Why have you rejected me? P: Why must I go about mourning, C: oppressed by the enemy? P: Send forth your light and your truth, C: let them guide me; P: let them bring me to your holy mountain, C: to the place where you dwell. P: Then will I go to the altar of God, C: to God, my joy and my delight. P: I will praise you with the harp, C: O God, my God. P: Why are you downcast, O my soul? C: Why so disturbed within me? P: Put your hope in God, C: for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, forever more. Amen. Adult Choir: Lamb of God O, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. O, grant us peace. Amen. Passion History Part 3 A Responsory P: O Lord, have mercy upon us. Jesus Before the Sanhedrin By Paul Bouman 5
The Sermon Hymn: #281, O Love, How Deep The Sermon Hebrews 10:23 Contrasts of the Cross: Betrayal and Faithfulness 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. We Bring Our Offerings The members of Peace Lutheran Congregation have joined together to do the Lord s work in this community and around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7 Please fill out the Friendship Register. The Versicle P: Let my prayers rise before You as incense: The Canticle Hymn: #43:7, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name The Prayers, beginning with The Kyrie 6
The Lord s Prayer 7
The Collect P: Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, and in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your holy Word and Sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity. The Benedicamus P: Let us bless the Lord. 8
The Benediction P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Closing Hymn: #565 All Praise to Thee, My God This Night Thank you to those who served in our service today: Pre-service music: Beth Behmer; Adult Choir; Accompanist: Amanda Madson; Organist: Katie Hartwig; The ushers; Cover artwork: Don Moldstad. To God be the Glory! 9
Lent The season of Lent officially begins on Ash Wednesday. In Old Testament times, the Jews expressed their sorrow over sin by putting ashes on their heads. Ashes were a symbol of their own mortality and their sorrow over sin. The season of Lent extends from Ash Wednesday until Easter. It is 40 days in length, not counting Sundays. Join Us For Supper! Lenten suppers will be served from 5:15-6:15PM every Wednesday during the Lenten season. We have awesome cooks in our congregation come and enjoy the food and fellowship! Midweek Lenten services are held Wednesdays at 6:30pm. The theme is Contrasts of the Cross: March 2 Sorrow and Joy March 9 March 16 Justice and Mercy Shame and Glory 10