{"id":3730,"date":"2021-03-07T11:55:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-07T17:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=3730"},"modified":"2021-03-07T13:15:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-07T19:15:00","slug":"sunday-worship-service-third-sunday-in-lent-7-march-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=3730","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Worship Service: Third Sunday in Lent: 7 March 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Blessings to you, this 3rd Sunday in Lent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Thank you to all who joined our Zoom annual meeting last Sunday. Despite a few issues a quorum was met, new council members and other business was approved, and we were blessed with the opportunity to see one another!
On that note, we still plan to worship together in person, inside, on Palm\/Passion Sunday, March 28, 1030am. You will receive an email or it will be posted on Facebook and our website when we begin taking reservations and the process for that. As we re-enter our sanctuary, we are being abundantly cautious and following best practices for cleaning and sanitizing. If you are not comfortable worshiping in person, you are encouraged to view a recording available shortly after the end of worship through the usual means.
In addition to those in the spoken prayers, please add Nancy Johnson to your prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Peace, Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Order of Worship for March 7, 2021: Third Sunday in Lent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prelude:<\/strong> – “Led Mig, Gud” (“Lead Me, Lord”). Spoken in Swedish and English by Jill Seaholm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The third covenant in this year\u2019s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel\u2019s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods. The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call: centered first in God\u2019s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confession and Forgiveness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessed be the holy Trinity, \u2629 one God, the keeper of the covenant, the source of steadfast love, our rock and our redeemer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God hears us when we cry, and draws us close in Jesus Christ. Let us return to the one who is full of compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fountain of living water,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

pour out your mercy over us.<\/strong> Our sin is heavy, and we long to be free.<\/strong> Rebuild what we have ruined<\/strong> and mend what we have torn.<\/strong> Wash us in your cleansing flood.<\/strong> Make us alive in the Spirit<\/strong> to follow in the way of Jesus,<\/strong> as healers and restorers of the world you so love.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beloved, God\u2019s word never fails. The promise rests on grace: by the saving love of Jesus Christ, the wisdom and power of God, your sins are \u2629 forgiven, and God remembers them no more. Journey in the way of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 334- “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery,” verses 1 & Lenten verse 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer of the Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Holy God, through your Son you have called us to live faithfully and act courageously. Keep us steadfast in your covenant of grace, and teach us the wisdom that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After escaping from slavery, the Israelites come to Mount Sinai, where God teaches them how to live in community. The Ten Commandments proclaim that God alone is worthy of worship. Flowing from God, the life of the community flourishes when based on honesty, trust, fidelity, and respect for life, family, and property.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/sup>God spoke all these words:
\u2003 2<\/sup>I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3<\/sup>you shall have no other gods before me.
\u2003 4<\/sup>You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5<\/sup>You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6<\/sup>but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
\u2003 7<\/sup>You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
\u2003 8<\/sup>Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9<\/sup>Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10<\/sup>But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work\u2014you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11<\/sup>For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
\u2003 12<\/sup>Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
\u2003 13<\/sup>You shall not murder.
\u2003 14<\/sup>You shall not commit adultery.
\u2003 15<\/sup>You shall not steal.
\u2003 16<\/sup>You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
\u2003 17<\/sup>You shall not covet your neighbor\u2019s house; you shall not covet your neighbor\u2019s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm: Psalm 19<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u20031<\/sup>The heavens declare the glory of God,
\u2003\u2003and the sky proclaims its maker\u2019s handiwork.
\u20032<\/sup>One day tells its tale to another,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003and one night imparts knowledge to another.<\/strong>
\u20033<\/sup>Although they have no words or language,
\u2003\u2003and their voices are not heard,
\u20034<\/sup>their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003where God has pitched a tent for the sun.<\/strong>
\u20035<\/sup>It comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
\u2003\u2003it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
\u20036<\/sup>It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again;
\u2003\u2003nothing is hidden from its burning heat. 
\u20037<\/sup>The teaching of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;
\u2003\u2003the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.
\u20038<\/sup>The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes.<\/strong>
\u20039<\/sup>The fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever;
\u2003\u2003the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
\u200310<\/sup>More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.<\/strong> 
\u200311<\/sup>By them also is your servant enlightened,
\u2003\u2003and in keeping them there is great reward.
\u200312<\/sup>Who can detect one\u2019s own offenses?<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003Cleanse me from my secret faults.<\/strong>
\u200313<\/sup>Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me;
\u2003\u2003then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
\u200314<\/sup>Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The word of the cross is pure foolishness and nonsense to the world because it claims that God is mostly revealed in weakness, humiliation, and death. But through such divine foolishness and weakness, God is working to save us. The center of Paul\u2019s preaching is Christ crucified.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

18<\/sup>The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19<\/sup>For it is written,
\u2003\u201cI will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
\u2003\u2003and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.\u201d
20<\/sup>Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21<\/sup>For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22<\/sup>For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23<\/sup>but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24<\/sup>but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25<\/sup>For God\u2019s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God\u2019s weakness is stronger than human strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gospel: John 2:13-22<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jesus attacks the commercialization of religion by driving merchants out of the temple. When challenged, he responds mysteriously, with the first prediction of his own death and resurrection. In the midst of a seemingly stable religious center, Jesus suggests that the center itself has changed.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

13<\/sup>The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14<\/sup>In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15<\/sup>Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16<\/sup>He told those who were selling the doves, \u201cTake these things out of here! Stop making my Father\u2019s house a marketplace!\u201d 17<\/sup>His disciples remembered that it was written, \u201cZeal for your house will consume me.\u201d 18<\/sup>The Jews then said to him, \u201cWhat sign can you show us for doing this?\u201d 19<\/sup>Jesus answered them, \u201cDestroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.\u201d 20<\/sup>The Jews then said, \u201cThis temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?\u201d 21<\/sup>But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22<\/sup>After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sermon:<\/strong> Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hymn of the Day:<\/strong> ELW 723 – “Canticle of the Turning,” verses 1, 2, & 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers of Intercession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no God before you. Purify the faith of your church, that your people place their trust in nothing beside you. Your name is holy. Guide your church, that in every situation your people\u2019s words and actions honor your name. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heavens declare your glory. Renew your creation. Provide leaders in the struggle for clean air and water; protect creatures and crops that rely on healthy ecosystems; give all people the willingness to repent when our way of life pollutes the earth and skies. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. Fill leaders with the foolishness of your peace and mercy. Your law defends the vulnerable. Work through legislators, judicial systems, and systems of law enforcement to protect the wellbeing and freedom of all. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your weakness is stronger than human strength. Protect those who are vulnerable and give courage to all who are suffering especially Ryan Raymond; Scott Holtan; Kayli Bird; Patrick Esping; Ricky Lindquist; Helen Schubert; Mariah Pearson; Dan Wolever; and those we name before you now. Defend victims of crime and bring redemption to those who have harmed others. Give sabbath rest to all who labor. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You call us to proclaim Christ crucified. Give clarity to this congregation and our leaders, so that we might follow Christ beyond our own habits and comfort. Clear out anything in our common life that would obscure the gospel or that serves our own interests. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cross of Christ is your power for all who are being saved. Thank you for Perpetua, Felicity, and all the martyrs whose witness reveals the power of the cross. Give us the same trust in life and in death. Hear us, O God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord’s Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communion Anthem:<\/strong> ELW 485 – “I Am the Bread of Life,” verses 1 & 2. Vocalist, Brittany Anderson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer after Communion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

God of steadfast love, at this table you gather your people into one body for the sake of the world. Send us in the power of your Spirit, that our lives bear witness to the love that has made us new in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Siblings in Christ, you are what God made you to be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor. God bless you \u2629 that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sending Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 767- “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me,” all verses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dismissal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Go in peace. Share the good news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks be to God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Facebook link to the worship service for the Third Sunday in Lent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/190629367619921\/videos\/1140400583098326<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Image credits: Jesus-Moneychangers, plainbibleteaching.com and First Evangelical Lutheran Bell Tower, Therese Guise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music credits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocalists: Brittany & Miriam Anderson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organist\/ Pianist: Pam Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Led Mig, Gud” (“Lead Me, Lord”). Prelude words: All rights reserved. Permission to podcast\/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong> Music: Public Domain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery. ” Text: Marty Haugen , b. 1950. Music: Marty Haugen. Text and music copyright 1984 GIA Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast\/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Canticle of the Turning.” Text: Rory Cooney, b. 1952, based on the Magnificat. Music: Irish traditional. Text copyright 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast\/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I Am the Bread of Life.” Text: Suzanne Toolan, RSM, b. 1927, based on John 6. Music: Suzanne Toolan, RSM. Text and music copyright 1966, 1970, 1986, 1993 GIA Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast\/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me.” Text: Julie von Hausmann, 1825 – 1901; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship<\/em>. Music: Friedrich Silcher, 1789 – 1860. Text copyright 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship<\/em>, admin. Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast\/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Reprinted\/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Blessings to you, this 3rd Sunday in Lent! Thank you to all who joined our Zoom annual meeting last Sunday. Despite a few issues a quorum was met, new council members and other business was approved, and we were blessed with the opportunity to see one another!On that note, we still plan to worship together … [Read more…]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["entry","post","publish","author-flcadmin","post-3730","format-standard","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3730"}],"version-history":[{"count":61,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4061,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3730\/revisions\/4061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}