Since very ancient times, Christians of all ages and places have observed the season of Lent. Throughout that long history, it has always been a time for spiritual renewal in anticipation of the great feast of Easter, the center of the church’s year. The baptismal covenant is made with us individually, but the new life we are given in baptism is for the sake of the whole world.
Our worship includes prayers, songs, readings, and a message. You can worship by viewing the videos, reading the words, singing the songs, or simply listening. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we worship together.
announcements & call to worship
(Click video to play)
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, in this season of Lent, help us to listen to your voice as you bring us together, on these screens, united by your spirit. In this time and in the coming days, give us provision for the journey, courage and faith and compassion, and endurance to face any hardship. Open our eyes to see you walking beside us, protecting us, encouraging us, loving us. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Opening Song
Kyrie
(Click video to play)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
Hymn of Praise
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. O God, with steadfast love you draw us to yourself, and in mercy you receive our prayers. Strengthen us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that through life and death we may live in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Reading
Psalm 51: 1-12
(Click video to play)
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
5Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Children’s Moment
(Click video to play)
Gospel and Message
John 12:20-33
(Click video to play)
20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Thanksgiving for the Word: Lent
(Click video to play)
Holy God, our living Water, our faithful Companion, our true Guide, by your Word you created a world with rivers and seas, wells and springs, and in mercy you provided water for your people in the wilderness. For your Word with the water of baptism, we thank you, O God.
We praise you for Christ, who joined us in our desert, calling us to righteousness, granting forgiveness, and walking with us into newness of life. For Jesus, your gracious Word, we glorify you, O God.
Through these days of Lent we plead for your Spirit, that strengthened by your Word, we may care for others and for the world you made, and work for justice and peace for all. For your Word in our hearts and minds, we praise you, O God.
Receive our thanksgiving, and grant us your blessing, Holy God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayers
Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
Gracious God, you wash us through and through and remember our sin no more. Make your church a community of forgiveness throughout the world. Give your people courage to forgive; through them show the world new possibilities. Bless ministries of repentance and reconciliation. Lord, hear our prayer.
Guide people throughout the world to shape communities that reflect your mercy, justice, and peace, and give them creativity to work for the welfare of all. Lord, hear our prayer.
You sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Restore the joy of all who need to know your presence: those who are ill, those who are lonely or feel unforgivable, those who need healing of mind or body, those who are dying, and all who grieve. Lord, hear our prayer.
We lament the countless who have died of COVID and the diminishment of life that so many have endured. Bless health care workers, teachers, retail employees, law enforcement, those who work in schools, and all who work to provide care for others. Lord, hear our prayer.
In the cross of Christ, your name is glorified. We thank those who have given us words to worship. With all those who have died in Christ, bring us into life everlasting. Hear us, O God. Lord, hear our prayer.
We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, Father of glory, in your bountiful Spirit, and in the name of Christ, our great high priest, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
(Click video to play)
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Blessing
You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor. God bless you that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity. Amen.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Sending Hymn
From the Inside Out
(Click video to play)
A thousand times I’ve failed, still Your mercy remains. And should I stumble again, still I’m caught in Your grace everlasting. Your light will shine when all else fades, never-ending, your glory goes beyond all fame.
Your will above all else, my purpose remains. The art of losing myself, in bringing You praise, everlasting. Your light will shine when all else fades, never-ending, your glory goes beyond all fame.
In my heart in my soul, Lord I give You control. Consume me from the inside out Lord. Let justice and praise become my embrace, to love You from the inside out.
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades, never-ending. Your glory goes beyond all fame, and the cry of my heart is to bring You praise from the inside out
Lord my soul cries out (Lord).
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori, Danielle, Darcy
Message: Pastor Kristin
Reader: Joy
Children’s Moment: Dawn
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. 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. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147.