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EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY 502 Main Street, Irwin, PA 15642 724-863-7350 |
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Current and Future bulletins are below April 1 and 5th, 2020 |
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Midweek Lenten Service Wednesday, April 1, 2020 6:30 p.m.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence for reflection and self-examination. Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen
Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. 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. Amen
Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time to make our common prayer to you, and you have promised through your Son that where two or three are gathered together in his name, you will be in the midst of them. Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us, granting us, in this world, knowledge of your truth and, in the age to come, life everlasting. Amen.
Reading Luke 1:46-55
46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm;
Time of Teaching Offering
OFFERING PRAYER Merciful God, receive the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving and the offering of our lives, that following in the way of the cross, we may know the joy of the resurrection; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession Growing in faith and discipleship, we give thanks for God’s merciful compassion as we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. God of salvation, bring wholeness to all your beloved children. Anoint the hands of all caregivers, nurses, doctors, therapists, hospice workers, and chaplains. Bless those who put their lives in harm's way for our wellbeing, as well as their families, including our first responders and those who work to keep us healthy, safe, and provided for in these times. Bring abundance of life to all who long for comfort and healing (especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord’s Prayer
Blessing Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
.******************** Worship Plan for Sunday, April 5, 2020 Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday
Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.
Gathering The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
Acclamation The presiding minister begins (repeated one or more times): Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna to the Son of David!
Gospel The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 21st chapter.
When Jesus and his disciples came near Jerusalem, he went to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives and sent two of them on ahead. He told them, “Go into the next village, where you will at once find a donkey and her colt. Untie the two donkeys and bring them to me. If anyone asks why you are doing that, just say, ‘The Lord needs them.’ Right away he will let you have the donkeys. So God’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, “Announce to the people of Jerusalem: ‘Your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey. He comes on the colt of a donkey.’” The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on. Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches which they had cut from trees. Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shout- ing, “Hosanna to the Son of David! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna to God in heaven above!” When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, “Who can this be?” The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” The Gospel of our Lord. Praise to you O Christ. Hymn
Confession and Forgiveness Blessed be the holy Trinity, Father, ☩ Son, Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
If you were to keep watch over sins, O Lord, who could stand? Yet with you is forgiveness, and so we confess.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess we are a fickle people, one minute praising you with our lips, the next shouting crucify! We look to the ways of power and violence and greed that turn our hearts away from one another and from you. We reject and deny your love and do not understand your life-giving ways for all the world. Have mercy on us O God, for we are in trouble. Forgive us. Let your face shine upon us once more and save us in your steadfast love.
Absolution: People of God, we hear this good news: Refusing to save himself Jesus suffered the cross and was obedient to death on the cross. For his sake and in the mercy of almighty God, all our sins are forgiven, in the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!
Greeting The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Prayer of the Day In these or similar words, the presiding minister may introduce the prayer of the day. As we now enter into the contemplation of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and meditate on the salvation of the world through his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection, let us pray. Silence is kept. Then the presiding minister prays the prayer of the day.
Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE
*Blessing of Palms
Let us pray. A brief silence is kept. We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these garments and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Sermon
Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayers of Intercession Turning our hearts to God who is gracious and merciful, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. A brief silence. God of mercy, awaken your church to new proclamations of your faithfulness. By your Spirit, give us bold and joyful words to speak, that we sustain the weary with the message of your redemption. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of mercy, quiet the earth where it trembles and shakes. Protect vulnerable ecosystems, threatened habitats, and endangered species. Prosper the work of scientists, engineers, and researchers who find ways to restore creation to health and wholeness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of mercy, drive away fear and anger that cause us to turn against one another. Give courage to leaders who seek liberation for the oppressed. Bring peace and hope to those who are in prison and those who face execution. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of mercy, send your saving help to all who suffer abuse, insult, discrimination, or contempt. Heal the wounded. Comfort the dying. Bring peace to those suffering chronic or terminal illness. Tend to all who cry out for relief (especially). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
God of mercy, we pray for all who will prepare and lead worship in this Holy Week. In all things, show us the ways that you call us to die to self, to live for you, and to give of ourselves for the sake of others. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered. God of mercy, when we breathe our last, you raise us to eternal life. With all your witnesses in heaven and on earth (especially), let us boldly confess the name of Jesus Christ, our resurrection and our hope. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
According to your steadfast love, O God, hear these and all our prayers as we commend them to you; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
OFFERING An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need.
OFFERING PRAYER
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
And so it begins, we walk through this week From palms now to passion, it’s Jesus we seek Each moment we walk through these days now with Jesus, Is time to see people, the way Jesus…sees us.
To watch for the ones, who need hope, who need kindness. Seeking the light, not the darkness that blinds us. As you walk through these days, may the love you now know Be spread to each person you meet on the go.
The Lord bless you and keep you The Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you The Lord look upon you with favor (+) give you peace. Amen. Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
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