Lenten Worship Sevice

March 13, 2013 OPENING HYMN: # 95 P: Come, let us return to the Lord. C: We come into this place to offer our service of worship. P: The Father shows to us His face of mercy. C: The Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has come as a servant, the Spirit brings life and peace P: Today we worship our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning, and though we have in no way deserved Your goodness, You still abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. Give us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14 EPISTLE: Romans 15:8-13 HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 27:27-31

C: Amen HYMN: # 354 CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION SERMON P: Let us confess our sin to God, our merciful Father. CREED C: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all people, we admit and confess our sinfulness. We have turned away from each other in our thinking, speaking, and doing. We have done the evil You forbid and have not done the good You demand. We do repent and are truly sorry for these our sins. Have mercy on us, kind Father, because of the obedience of our Brother, Jesus Christ, Your Son. Forgive us all that is past, and with the power of the Holy Spirit move us to serve You faithfully. Set our feet upon the new path of life, and build Your kingdom here through Jesus Christ, our Lord. P: God has promised forgiveness of sins to those who repent and turn to Him. May He keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you to greater faith and obedience, and bring you to live with Him forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. I believe In God the Father, who calls me to seek His face, the face of my creator, the face of my protector, the face of my healer. I believe in Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary, but born to die, who was betrayed to the chief priests, condemned to death, mocked, flogged, and crucified, but raised on the third day, who came to serve, who gave His life for my ransom. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of life who sets me free, whose control gives life and peace, who lives in me and gives me power to serve Him by serving others. Amen. OFFERING

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: We pray for the gifts we need most-healing for soul, mind, and body, forgiveness from condemnation, and a heart for service. C: We do not offer shallow repentance, but true contrition, as we approach Your throne of grace. P: Your gift of healing especially grant to those we name before You now ... and for each of us, grant wholeness to troubled hearts, health to sickened bodies. courage to feeble spirits. C: In Your grace and mercy, hear our prayer. P: Bring righteousness to sinful souls by the grace of Jesus. Do not condemn us as we deserve, but forgive. C: In Your charity and love, hear our prayer. P: Holy Spirit, give us the will and the desire to serve others. May our greatness come not in any achievements of our own, but in the achieving of love for others through You. C: In Your service to us, bring us to service to You. P: May God grant our prayer for His gracious mercy's sake, as we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. BENEDICTION P: Go and serve the Lord, in whose service is perfect freedom. And may the blessing of the Almighty God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you all. C: Amen. HYMN: # 491

Lenten Miracles

The Faith of the Roman Soldier