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Lenten Evening Worship: Healing

Prelude

Please stand as you are able.

Opening Hymn

“Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God”

  Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

  Holy Spirit, come abide within;
May Your joy be seen in all I do—
Love enough to cover ev’ry sin
In each thought and deed and attitude,
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my striving into works of grace.
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.

  Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show Your power once again on earth;
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see.

Dialog

L:  Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

C:  Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of all mercies, and the God of all consolation.

L:  Seek the Lord while he may be found.

C:  Call upon him while he is near.

L:  Let the wicked abandon their ways,

C:  and the unrighteous their thoughts.

L:  Let them turn to the Lord for mercy,

C:  to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

L:  All you who are thirsty, come to the water.
You who have no money, come, receive bread, and eat.
Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk.

C:  Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of all mercies, and the God of all consolation.

Prayer of the Day

L:  Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord.

C:  Amen.

Canticle

♫ “Create in Me a Clean Heart”
(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.

Gospel: John 9:1-41

R:  The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 9th chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

¹ As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. ⁴ We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ⁶ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, ⁷ saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. ⁸ The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” ¹⁰ But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” ¹¹ He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” ¹² They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
 ¹³ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. ¹⁴ Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” ¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. ¹⁷ So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
 ¹⁸ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight ¹⁹ and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” ²⁰ His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; ²¹ but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” ²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. ²³ Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
 ²⁴ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” ²⁶ They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷ He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” ²⁸ Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. ²⁹ We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” ³⁰ The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. ³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. ³² Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁴ They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
 ³⁵ Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” ³⁶ He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” ³⁸ He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. ³⁹ Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” ⁴⁰ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” ⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

R:  The Gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Hymn of the Day #738 (blue hymnal)

“Healer of Our Every Ill”

Refrain
Healer of our ev’ry ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

1  You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts. Refrain

2  In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love. Refrain

3  Give us strength to love each other,
ev’ry sister, ev’ry brother;
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. Refrain

4  You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. Refrain

Healing

P:  Our Lord Jesus healed many as a sign of the reign of God come near and sent the disciples to continue this work of healing—with prayer, the laying on of hands, and anointing. In the name of Christ, the great healer and reconciler of the world, we now entrust to God all who are in need of healing.

Laying On of Hands

P:  Sisters and brothers, I invite you to come and receive a sign of healing and wholeness in the name of the Triune God.

Those who wish to receive laying on of hands and anointing may go to the station nearest them. If you wish, you may kneel.

Hymn #741 (blue hymnal)

“Thy Holy Wings”

After all have returned to their places, please kneel as you are able.

Prayer and Blessing

P:  Let us pray.
Living God, through the laying on of hands and anointing, grant comfort in suffering to all who are in need of healing. When they are afraid, give them courage; when afflicted, give them patience; when dejected, give them hope; and when alone, assure them of the support of your holy people. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

P:  Almighty God, who is a strong tower to all, to whom all things in heaven and on earth bow and obey, be now and evermore your sure defense, and help you to know the name given to us for health and salvation is the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

C:  Amen.

The Prayers

L:  Almighty and everlasting God, you are worthy to be held in reverence by all the mortal race. We give you thanks for the innumerable blessings which, despite our unworthiness, you have showered upon us.
Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

L:  We praise you especially that you have preserved for us in their purity your saving Word and the sacred ordinances of your house. Grant and preserve to your Church throughout the world purity of doctrine and faithful pastors who shall preach your Word with power, and help all who hear rightly to understand and firmly to believe your Word of truth.
Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

L:  Protect and defend your people in time of tribulation and danger, that we, in communion with your Church and in unity with all Christian people, may fight the good fight of faith and in the end receive the fullness of salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

L:  Upon all the nations of the earth bestow your grace. Especially we ask you to bless our land and all its inhabitants and all who are in authority. Cause your glory to dwell among us, and let mercy and truth, justice and peace everywhere prevail. We commend to your care all our schools, that virtue and useful knowledge may be nourished and the wholesome fruits of life may abound.
Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

L:  In your mercy defend us from all calamities by fire and water, from war and pestilence, from scarcity and famine. Protect and prosper all who labor, and cause all useful arts to flourish among us. Show yourself to be the helper of the sick and needy, the comforter of the forsaken and distressed.
Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

L:  Accept, we pray, our bodies and souls, our hearts and minds, our talents and powers, as our offering of praise.
Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

L:  And as we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, help us to prepare for the world to come, doing the work which you have given us to do while it is day, before that night comes when no one can work. And, when our last hour shall come, support us by your power and receive us into your everlasting kingdom, where, with your Son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, God forever.

C:  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.

Please stand as you are able.

Benediction

P:  The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

C:  Amen.

Sending Hymn #737 (blue hymnal)

“There Is a Balm in Gilead”

Dismissal

L:  Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Postlude

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Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Cindy Mayhugh, Leader
Sherry Bronner, Reader

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Copyright Notices

Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God: Text and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend © 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Healer of Our Every Ill: Text and music by Marty Haugen © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Thy Holy Wings: Text © 1983 Gracia Grindal, Selah Publishing Co., Inc., agent. www.selahpub.com. Arr. © 1995 With One Voice, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

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 © 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.