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The Third Sunday in Lent

by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

GATHERING

Prelude & Silent Prayer

Announcements

Lenten Confession & Forgiveness:

P. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C. Amen

P. Father of mercies and God of all consolation, come to the aid of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may attend to your Word, confess our sins, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer.

C. Amen

P. We are witnesses to all that Jesus did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. But God raised him on the third day and made him to appear. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:39-40,43)

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

P. Almighty God, merciful Father:

C. I, a troubled and penitent sinner, confess to you all my sins and iniquities with which I have offended you and for which I justly deserve your punishment. But I am sorry for them, and repent of them, and pray for your boundless mercy. For the sake of the suffering and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being; forgive my sins, give me your Holy Spirit for the amendment of my sinful life, and bring me to life everlasting. Amen

P. Almighty God in his mercy has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. Through his Holy Spirit he cleanses us and gives us power to proclaim the mighty deeds of God who called us out of darkness into the splendor of his light. 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  "When I Survey"

Apostolic Greeting

Kyrie (sung)

Prayer of the Day

WORD

First Lesson

Second Lesson

Verse: "Return to the Lord Your God"

Gospel Lesson

Sermon

Hymn of the Day  "My Song Is Love Unknown"

The Small Catechism of Martin Luther:

P. In ancient and modern times, Lent has been the time for instruction of candidates preparing for their baptism at the Easter Vigil. At the same time, the whole Church anticipates Easter through acts of repentance and spiritual renewal. It is therefore appropriate that we review the basics of our faith during these Sundays in Lent, so that we all might be renewed by our baptismal covenants and made ready for the celebration of Easter.

P. The Ten Commandments begin by saying: "I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else.

P. The Second Commandment says: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but call on him in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

P. The Third Commandment says: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.

P. The Fourth Commandment says: "Honor your father and your mother." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and others in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them.

P. The Fifth Commandment says: "You shall not kill." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbor in any way, but help him in all his physical needs.

P. The Sixth Commandment says: "You shall not commit adultery." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each other.

P. The Seventh Commandment says: "You shall not steal." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or property, or get them in any dishonest way, but help her to improve and protect her property and means of making a living.

P. The Eighth Commandment says: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain his actions in the kindest way.

P. The Ninth and Tenth Commandments say: "You shall not covet." What does this mean for us?

C. We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbor's possessions, spouse or workers, by scheming or pretending to have a right to them, but always to help our neighbor keep what is theirs.

Prayer of the Church

Sharing Our Lord's Peace

MEAL

Offering

Offertory Hymn:
C. (sing) God, whose giving knows no ending, / From your rich and endless store: / Nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom, / Costly cross, grave's shattered door, / Gifted by you, we turn to you, / Off'ring up ourselves in praise; / Thankful song shall rise forever, / Gracious donor of our days.  (ELW #678:1)

Offertory Prayer: "Blessed are you..."

Great Thanksgiving (sung)

Holy, Holy, Holy

Eucharistic Prayer for Lent (ELW IV, LBW III)

Our Father (sung)  (ELW p.163, LBW p.112)

At the Breaking of Bread:

P. This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.

C. We do not presume to come to your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and so to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen

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Distribution

     Lamb of God

     Hymn  "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed"

Post-Communion

Lord, Now You Let

Prayer

SENDING

Benediction & Dismissal

Closing Hymn  "What Wondrous Love," stanza 1

Postlude