sunday, march 15, 2015, the fourth sunday in lent

Wall cross from Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

The Fourth Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 15, 2015

2 THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Welcome to Worship at St. Pauls!! The community of believers at St. Paul Lutheran Church takes delight in having guests in

its worship. Our congregation strives to present a witness to Christ that is faithful to the Word of Holy Scripture and to the confessional heritage of the Lutheran tradition. GUESTS: We encourage you to sign a visitor card located in the pews and our Guest Book located in the hall outside the worship space. HOLY COMMUNION IS OFFERED by invitation of the Lord himself. Access to the Lords Table is by invitation of the Lord himself. All baptized believers who trust that Christ is presented in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist are invited to come forward and receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Communion is distributed by coming up the center aisle at the direction of the usher and returning along the side aisle. Those who do not wish to receive the Sacrament may come forward with their arms crossed and receive a blessing. Those who, for any reason, cannot receive the wine may receive the Sacrament under the form of bread alone. In doing so, a communicant still receives the whole Christ. TO THE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDRENRelax! God put the wiggle in children; dont feel you have to suppress it in Gods house. All are welcome! Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear whats going on in worship. They tire of seeing the backs of others heads. Quietly and kindly explain the parts of the Liturgy and actions of the worship leaders. Share the worship folder with them at eye level. Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you. If you have to leave worship with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. Jesus said Let the children come to me. Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship. Please let your child use this worship folder to draw and doodle. The presence of children is a gift to the Church. Please welcome children and give a smile of encouragement to their families.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 3

HOLY COMMUNION THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Sunday, March 15, 2015 + 9:30 a.m.

FOR GOD SO LOVES THE WORLD The fourth of the Old Testament promises providing a baptismal lens this Lent is the promise God makes to Moses: those who look on the bronze serpent will live. In Today's Gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in Baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith, for healing, for restored relationship to God, for hope when we are dying. + + + + + + + + + + + + The Liturgy (which means the work of the people) involves participation. The texts marked in plain

text are spoken by the worship leaders while the assembly responds with bold text.

ENTRANCE RITE The assembly gathers in meditation The WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION The assembly stands. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of Holy Baptism as the presiding minister begins.

In the Name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The presiding minister addresses the assembly. Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins to God our Father, imploring him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

The assembly kneels or sits. Silence for reflection and self-examination.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord. And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.


Almighty God, merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our fault, 1 by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault, in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, we have not our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us; so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. Amen In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen

The GATHERING HYMN Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

1 The assembly may strike the breast once at each phrase by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault. This gesture is rooted in Luke 18:13 as well as our Lutheran Confessions (Augsburg Confession XX:8, 15; XXIV:1, 40


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.

The KYRIE (Lord, have mercy) In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.


Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

The PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us praythe prayer concludesone God, now and forever. Amen.

The assembly is seated. LITURGY OF THE WORD The FIRST READING Numbers 21:49 Though God provides food and water for the Israelites in the wilderness, they whine and grumble. They forget about the salvation they experienced in the exodus. God punishes them for their sin, but when they repent God also provides a means of healing: a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole.

4From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food." 6Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. 8And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." 9So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

The reading concludes: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The PSALMODY Psalm 137 After introduction, the choir or cantor will sing the refrain once, then repeated by all. The assembly sings the refrain after each verse.

By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. Refrain


For there are our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, and our despoilers urged us to be joyous: Sing for us the songs of Zion! Refrain How could we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! Refrain May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, if I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. Refrain The SECOND READING Ephesians 2:110 While we were dead in our sinfulness, God acted to make us alive as a gift of grace in Christ Jesus. We are saved not by what we do but by grace through faith. Thus our good works are really a reflection of God's grace at work in our lives.

You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

The reading concludes: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel. The GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Let your steadfast love come to us, O Lord. Save us as you promised; we will trust your word.


The HOLY GOSPEL John 3:1421 To explain the salvation of God to the religious leader, Nicodemus, Jesus refers to the scripture passage quoted in today's first reading. Just as those who looked upon the bronze serpent were healed, so people will be saved when they behold Christ lifted up on the cross.

The Lord be with you. And also with you. The Holy +2 Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

The reading concludes: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

The SERMON Silence for reflection. 2 Using the thumb, the people may make three small signs of the cross, one on the forehead, one on the lips, and one on the breast while silently using the traditional prayer, May the Good News of Jesus Christ be in my mind, and on my lips, and in my heart. Amen


The assembly stands to proclaim the Word of God in song. The HYMN OF THE DAY God Loved the World

The APOSTLES CREED With the whole people of God, let us confess our faith. 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

The assembly kneels or sits in prayer during Lent The PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Embraced by Gods Word, let us pray for the Church, the world, and all those in need.

After each petition

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray; trusting in your mercy, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARISTIC MEAL The PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The worship leaders and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ. The assembly is seated. The OFFERING The assembly stands as the gifts are brought forward. The OFFERTORY Create in Me a Clean Heart


The GREAT THANKGIVING 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 him thanks and praise. Preface for Lent 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: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (I)

You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory

the prayer continues


For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

the prayer continues, concluding To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever. Amen.

The LORDS PRAYER (1789)

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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. The BREAKING OF THE BREAD

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are we who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the Word and I shall be healed.

The assembly is seated

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.


The DISTRIBUTION OF THE HOLY SACRAMENT The MUSIC DURING DISTRIBUTION


After all have returned to their places, the assembly stands. The POST-COMMUNION BLESSING

The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.

The POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Let us pray Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


LITURGY OF SENDING The BLESSING

Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

The SENDING HYMN Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death

The DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God.

The assembly departs to serve. Acknowledgements Unless indicated all hymns and liturgical music from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2015 by Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42251. Scripture texts from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA . Used by permission.


WORSHIP LEADERS FOR TODAY

Assisting Minister John Medure Lector Pam Swallen Communion Assistants: Brad Hooser & Kathy Kull Acolyte: Harlie Murphy Ushers Richard Swallen, John Cox, Skip Willis, Gene Fry, Terry Monter, Logan Monter Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray

WORSHIP LEADERS FOR SUNDAY, March 22

Assisting Minister Dick Swallen Lector Jennifer Kidder Communion Assistants: Brad Hooser & Kris Williams Acolyte: Kacey Ray Ushers Richard Swallen, John Cox, Skip Willis, Gene Fry, Terry Monter, Logan Monter Altar Guild Jeanne Hunston, Monica Kinsey, Vickie Ramsier & Lisa Ray

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH

515 E. Line Street Minerva, Ohio 44657 Office (330) 868-4918

www.facebook.com/stpaulminerva

Pastor: The Rev. Steven Woyen, STS Office Secretary: Becky Davis Custodian: Damin Clapper Director of Music: Paula Patterson

Missionaries to the Republic of South Africa: The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth & Jon Leiseth

sunday, march 15, 2015, the fourth sunday in lent

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