The Third Sunday in Lent
Gathering
Prelude
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.
P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. 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.
C: Amen.
Entrance Hymn #304 (green hymnal)
“Today Your Mercy Calls Us” v. 1-3
1 Today your mercy calls us
to wash away our sin.
However great our trespass,
whatever we have been,
however long from mercy
our hearts have turned away,
your precious blood can wash us
and make us clean today.
2 Today your gate is open,
and all who enter in
shall find a Father’s welcome
and pardon for their sin.
The past shall be forgotten,
a present joy be giv’n,
a future grace be promised,
a glorious crown in heav’n.
3 Today our Father calls us;
his Holy Spirit waits;
his blessed angels gather
around the heav’nly gates.
No question will be asked us,
how often we have come;
although we oft have wandered,
it is our Father’s home.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 78)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: 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.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, and bring your saving love to fruition in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart. Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Let us pray. Bless Cindy, O God of mercy, and bless us as we listen to the words of the scriptures. May they touch our hearts and lead us to return to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9
1 Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake their way,
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Psalm 63
“I Will Praise You”
Leader
O God, my God, my soul thirsts for You.
My body longs for You
in these dry and weary lands.
O God, my God,
Your love’s preferred to life.
In Your name, I lift up my hands.
ALL
I will praise You. I will praise You.
My soul is satisfied as with the richest foods.
I will praise You. I will praise You.
I praise the God who is my hope, my life!
Leader
On my bed, O Lord, my mind rests on You.
You are with me through the night;
I am sheltered by Your wing.
O, Lord my God,
my soul clings to You.
Hear my thanks, O Lord, as I sing:
ALL
I will praise You. I will praise You.
I praise the God who is my help: I love You!
I will praise You. I will praise You!
I praise the God who is my hope, my life.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. 10 And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 62)
Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and abounding in steadfast love.
The Holy Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 63)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 13th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
1 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation
Hymn of the Day #316 (green hymnal)
“Jesus, the Very Thought of You”
1 Jesus, the very thought of you
fills us with sweet delight;
but sweeter far your face to view
and rest within your light.
2 No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the mind recall
a sweeter sound than your blest name,
O Savior of us all!
3 O Hope of ev’ry contrite soul,
O joy of all the meek,
how kind you are to those who fall!
How good to those who seek!
4 O Jesus, be our joy today;
help us to prize your love;
grant us at last to hear you say:
“Come, share my home above.”
The 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.
The Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Offertory
“Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”
(green hymnal, p. 96)
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your free Spirit.
Offering Prayer
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. Amen.
C: Amen.
The Meal
The Great Thanksgiving
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 88)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord. You bid your people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast. Renew our zeal in faith and life, and bring us to the fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 89)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heav’n 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.
P: Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
We give thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ.
Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.
C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
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.
Doxology
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 91)
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: 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.
Invitation to Communion
P: You have died and risen with Christ: enjoy the fruits of His labor.
Agnus Dei
LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 92)
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, grant us peace.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Anthem
“Lord Jesus, Think on Me”
Dan R. Edwards
Handbell Choir
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A: 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 Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Blessing
P: You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor.
God bless you ☩ that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #104 (green hymnal)
“In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
1 In the cross of Christ I glory,
tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.
All the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.
2 When the woes of life o’ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me;
lo, it glows with peace and joy.
3 When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds more luster to the day.
4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure,
joys that through all time abide.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Donald Harris, Assisting Minister
Cindy Mayhugh, Reader
Handbell Choir
Susan Bardes
Sherry Bronner
Nancy Erbeck
Nick Huitger
Carolyn Koehl
Addy Kruse
Joyce McDowell
Linda Miller
Collection for Ukraine Relief
The Social Concerns committee is collecting donations to Matthew 25: Ministries for Ukrainian refugee aid. Please see below for a list of requested items. Matthew 25: also accepts monetary donations through their website or by check at Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242.
- Personal care products: Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, feminine hygiene items, etc.
- Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
- First-aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs, etc.
Upcoming Events
March 20: Third Sunday in Lent
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
Monday, March 21
**Epistle Articles Due**
7 pm Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 22
6:30 pm Venture Scouts meeting
Wednesday, March 23
7 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, March 24
10:30 am Bible study (Sunday’s readings)
6 pm BSA troop meeting
Friday, March 25
5 pm Liam’s birthday party! (All are invited – no gifts, please)
Saturday, March 26
12 pm Gather Cincinnati young adults meeting
3:30 pm Visitation for Don Grau
4 pm Celebration of Life for Don Grau
March 27: Fourth Sunday in Lent
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Easter Egg Prep (Evangelism Committee)
Monday, March 28
Evening: Camera installation (sanctuary)
Tuesday, March 29
Evening: Camera installation (sanctuary)
Wednesday, March 30
**No bell choir**
Thursday, March 31
10:30 am Bible study (Sunday’s readings)
Saturday, April 2
10 am – 4 pm Camera installation (sanctuary)
Copyright Notices
I Will Praise You: Text and music by Stephen J. Pearson © 1997 Psalmistry Music.
Lord Jesus, Think on Me: Arr. Dan R. Edwards © 2014 Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118-3968.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.