ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
DICKINSON, ND
We Say Yes to Share, Save & Spend
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
MARCH 2, 2008
10:30 a.m. Sunday
CONFESSION OF SINS
P In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
P If you, Lord, should mark our sins, who could stand?
A But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be honored
P Let us confess our sins. God of our salvation:
A We confess that we live in opposition to your gracious will for us. We have failed to be a blessing to others by turning our backs on those in need. By our sins, we are cast out from your presence; our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost. Breathe your Spirit on us, O God, that we may live.
P In the name and for the sake of Christ, I say to you: All your sins are forgiven. In the waters of baptism you were joined with Christ, reborn as children of God and anointed with the Holy Spirit. You are free to live as God’s people in the world.
A Amen
GATHERING
OPENING SONG House of the Lord
Chorus:
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Verse 1 And the goodness of our God will freely flow;
And the purpose of the Lord will then unfold.
The tribes of the Lord will rise to sing; and worship the Lord of everything.
And the King will be the centerpiece of praise. (Repeat chorus)
Verse 2 And the glory of our God will be released;
And the kingdom of the Lord will then increase.
A place where the love of God runs deep and joy everlasting flows so sweet.
And the King will be the centerpiece of praise. (Repeat chorus)
THE GREETING
P The abundant grace and mercy of God be with you all.
A And also with you.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY Insert
WORD
FIRST READING 1 Samuel 16:1-13
The Word of the Lord A Thanks be to God.
THE PSALM Psalm 23 (Insert)
THE SECOND READING Ephesians 5:8-14The Word of the Lord A Thanks be to God.
(stand) THE LENTEN VERSE (spoken)
A Jesus says, I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
THE HOLY GOSPEL John 9:1-12
P The Holy Gospel according to John
A (spoken) Glory to you, O Lord & Praise to you, O Christ
THE SERMON Finding or Changing a Job (1 Sam. 16:1-13)
SONG OF THE DAY Thy Word
Chorus Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Verse When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
Still you’re there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear as long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Repeat chorus, verse, chorus
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM p. 227
SONG Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace.
THE PRAYERS (spoken response is Hear our prayer.)
THE PEACE (spoken response is And also with you.)
MEAL
OFFERING & OFFERING MUSIC Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone
OFFERING RESPONSE Create in Me
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (repeat)
Cast me not away from thy presence, O Lord.
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
THE COMMUNION LITURGY
P The Lord be with you
A And also with you
P Lift up your hearts
A We lift them to the Lord
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
A It is right to give our thanks and praise
P It is indeed right . . . join their unending hymn, saying
A Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might;
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 for ever. Amen
(Sit) DISTRIBUTION & COMMUNION SONGS
As Bread that is Broken
Verse 1: Many hearts are hungry tonight,
Many trapped in darkness yearn for the light;
So many who are far from home and many who are lost,
O, Lord, your wounded children need the power of your cross.
Chorus: As bread that is broken, use our lives,
As wine that is poured out, a willing sacrifice;
Empower us, Father, to share the love of Christ,
As bread that is broken, Lord, use our lives.
Verse 2: Help us to begin where we are, help us love the people near to our hearts; Then give our faith a mission field wherever you may call, Lord, love your world through each of us,
Until we’ve touched them all. (Repeat chorus)
The Wonderful Cross
Verse 1: When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Verse 2: See from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Chorus: O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross;
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless your name.
Verse 3: Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an off’ring far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. (Repeat chorus 1½ times)
You Chose the Cross (Lost in Wonder)
Verse 1 You chose the cross with every breath.
The perfect life, the perfect death, you chose the cross.
A crown of thorns you wore for us;
And crowned us with eternal life, you chose the cross.
And though your soul was overwhelmed with pain
Obedient to death, you overcame.
Chorus I'm lost in wonder, I'm lost in love.
I'm lost in praise for evermore.
Because of Jesus' unfailing love, I am forgiven, I am restored.
Verse 2: You loosed the chords of sinfulness and broke the chains of my
disgrace. You chose the cross, up from the grave victorious.
You rose again so glorious, you chose the cross.
The sorrow that surrounded you was mine.
“Yet not my will, but yours be done,” you cried.
(Repeat chorus three times)
SENDING
BLESSING, TABLE PRAYER, & BENEDICTION
RECOGNITION OF SIXTH GRADE EARLY CONFIRMATION
DISMISSAL Go in peace; serve the Lord A Thanks be to God.
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Presiding Minister: Pastor Lisa Lewton
Preaching Minister: Pastor Steve Tangen
Assisting Minister: Marcy Decker
Deacon: Jared Andrist
Servers: Jesse Andrist & Taylor Cooper
Contemporary Band: Curt Kittelson
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EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP: Though Easter is a month away, because of time changes, we want you to know that Easter Sunday worship times will be 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. with the 11:00 a.m. service broadcast live over KDIX radio. There will be no 6:30 a.m. service on Easter Sunday. An Easter Brunch will be served from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.
ADULT CLASS IN MARCH: Pastor Tangen’s class on Jonah meets Sunday Mar. 2 and 16 at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Room. Badlands Ministries Director Brent Seaks will be the speaker on Sunday, Mar. 9.
DELEGATES NEEDED FOR ST. LUKES: If you are interested in representing St. John Lutheran Church at the annual meeting of St. Luke’s Home on Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m., please contact the church office (225-6747 or olheiser@stjohnelc.org)
BAPTIZED TODAY ARE Riley Jon Gabbert, son of Eric & Marcy Gabbert, and Brooke Michelle Binek, daughter of Travis Binek & Michelle Steiner.
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are in loving memory of Al Hermann’s birthday from his wife Evelyn, her daughters and their families.
RAISING FUNDS FOR A NEW GARAGE: This summer, we are hoping to construct a new garage and shop that replace the existing garage that is almost 40 years old. The new garage is needed to provide better security for the yard equipment, and additional storage space is needed to the equipment. To fund the $20,000 project, we already have $12,000 in a dedicated account for capital improvements to the church property. Our goal is to raise another $8,000 by April 30. You’ll be receiving an offering envelope for contributions to the garage fund in early March.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CONGREGATION? Contact one of the pastors or Faith Simonieg in the church office (225-6747). New members will be received on Sunday, Apr. 13 at the 10:30 a.m. service.
EASTER MEMORIAL FUND: An Easter memorial fund has been established for your gifts in memory or honor of loved ones. Money will be used to purchase a limited number of lilies and the remaining contributions will be given to St. John Women of the ELCA for their summer convention in Salt Lake City. You may use envelopes provided in your offering envelope booklet, or the forms available on tables at the church entrances. Return them by Sunday, March 16.
CHRIST IN OUR HOME books for April through June and the March issue of the Lutheran Magazine are available in the narthex and Commons Area.
BIBLE CAMPER FUND RAISER: The last fund raiser for kids attending Bible camp starts today! You can pick up your Butter Braid forms on the bulletin board in the Commons Area. They must be returned by Sunday, March 9. Don’t forget to pick up your Bible Camp brochure!
NURSERY: If you will help to supervise the nursery during Holy Week and Easter services, please contact Pastor Lisa at lewton@stjohnelc.org or at 225-6747. Nursery help is needed Thursday, Mar. 20 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. and Easter Sunday at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
WORSHIP INFORMATION: Transmitters are available for the hearing impaired. Ask an usher for help . . . Children’s worship bags may be found in the Commons Area and in the main church entry . . . If it is uncomfortable for you to stand during the service, please feel free to remain seated . . . The nursery, located in the Commons Area, is staffed Sundays from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. for infants and children up to age four . . .
page 6 THURSDAY MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP: The preaching topic for the 7:00 p.m. Thursday Midweek Lenten services is Life’s Transitions. Just as the Lenten season is a transition time from contrition and confession to forgiveness and celebration, so our lives are filled with times of transition and change. Speakers include:
Mar. 6 Laney Herauf, Leaving Home for College
Mar. 13 Russ Murphy, To Change Jobs or Not?
LENTEN SUPPERS: The Thursday night Lenten suppers are served by the senior high youth group from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Sloppy joes will be served on Mar. 6 and a potato bar is on the menu for Mar. 13. Free will donations will go toward next summer’s mission trip to Belize.
WELCOME to the Lord’s Table. All the baptized are invited to receive the Sacrament. You may stand or kneel to receive the elements. Children who commune may extend their hands; those who don’t yet commune should have hands folded and they will receive a blessing. Gluten-free wafers are available for those who cannot have wheat products. White grape juice is available for those who cannot have wine. Let a pastor or server know when communing.
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Family Sunday School, Senior Choir Rehearsal
5:30 p.m. Senior High Exodus Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Senior High Youth GroupMonday: 7:00 p.m. W-ELCA Board Meeting
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Quilting
7:00 p.m. Parish Life Committee MeetingWednesday: 6:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal
6:30 p.m. Angel & Cherub Choirs
7:00 p.m. Carol Choir
7:00 p.m. Confirmation Class - The Sacraments
7:00 p.m. Wednesday School for High School
Thursday: 5:30 p.m. Lenten Supper - Sloppy Joes
7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship - Leaving Home for College
NEXT THURSDAY’S LENTEN WORSHIP SPEAKER, Laney Herauf, is the daughter of Don & Jean Herauf and sister to Jacob and Melanie. While in high school she was involved in youth group, mission trips, Sunday School and served as an assisting minister. She graduated from DHS in 2007 and attends UND where she is pursuing a political science degree with a core of pre-medical studies. In Grand Forks she attends Christus Rex Lutheran Church, sings in the choir and is on the Service and Learning Committee.
THE EARLY CONFIRMATION classes for sixth graders concluded last week. Today we recognize them with a Power Point presentation at worship.
EARLY CONFIRMATION STUDENTS:
Michaela Biel
Riana Cooper
Riley Cooper
Christina Dukart
David Fehr
Sydney Gangl
Dakota Gillen
Robert Habiger
Brianna Hauck
Mackenzie Hoffmann
Taylor Ihmels
Macy Lynch
Nicole Meduna
Kristen Moser
Jeffrey Olin
Rozlyn Otto
Alex Poland
Madde Schobinger
Dylan Storley
Nick Thiel
Paige Thompson
Blake Vance
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER: Join us for worship during the holiest week of the year for Christians.
• Passion Sunday (Mar. 16): 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. The Reading of the Passion Narrative from the Gospel of Matthew
• Wednesday in Holy Week (Mar. 19): 7:00 p.m. Communion Service
• Maundy Thursday (Mar. 20): 7:00 p.m. Communion & Hand Washing
• Good Friday (Mar. 21): 7:00 p.m.
• Easter Sunday (Mar. 23): 8:00, 9:30, & 10:30 a.m. Easter Worship
• Easter Brunch - 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.This program allows families to grow in faith together as they discuss confirmation basics and their importance in our daily lives. Sixth graders learned about the life of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation and assembled a time capsule using memorabilia from the church. This program equips parents with the materials, activities and space to study faith topics.