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The Fourth 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  "What Wondrous Love Is This"

Apostolic Greeting

Kyrie (sung)

Prayer of the Day

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WORD

First Lesson

Second Lesson

Verse: "Return to the Lord Your God"

Gospel Lesson

Sermon

Hymn of the Day  "Just As I Am"

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. What is Baptism?

C. Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God's Word and by his command.

P. What benefits does God give in Baptism?

C. In Baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what he has promised.

P. How can water do such great things?

C. It is not water that does these things, but God's Word with the water and our trust in this Word. Water by itself is only water, but with the Word of God it is a life-giving water which by grace gives the new birth through the Holy Spirit.

P. What does Baptism mean for daily living?

C. It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

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  "Amazing Grace"

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Post-Communion

Lord, Now You Let

Prayer

SENDING

Benediction & Dismissal

Closing Hymn  "There Is a Green Hill Far Away,"  stanza 1

Postlude