Mar. 14, 2021

4th Sunday of Lent

A Prayer for Preparing to Worship:

God of mercy, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you,
and voices to sing your praise.
Fill us with your Spirit,
that we may celebrate and worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Passing of the Peace

We encourage you to contact others in the church,
to reach out and connect, to check in on those that might need help,
and to let others know the help you need, in mind, body, and spirit, in this
uncertain time.

Call to Confession, Prayer of Confession, and Assurance of Pardon

When we pass through deep waters or go through times of testing,

the lord our God is with us. With the confidence in God,

our creator and redeemer, let us confess our sin.

O Lord our God, you call us to work for a world
where all will be fed and have dignity,

but we find ourselves distracted by our own desires.

You call us to seek justice and peace,

but we are too often satisfied with injustice and discord.

You call us to bring liberty to the oppressed,

but we do not insist on freedom for all.

Forgive us, O Lord. Turn us to your will by the power of your Spirit,

so that all may know your justice and peace;

through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior.

Through forgiveness in Christ, we are brought to new life.
This is the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God. 

Response

O Lamb of God
American Folk Melody, arr. Proulx
Jusun Kim, Piano and Voice

Prayer of the Day - Craig Anderson

Gracious God, you are our way in the wilderness.

Guide us, by your Word, through these forty days,

and minister to us with your Holy Spirit,

so that we may be reformed, restored, and renewed;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1st Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 - Craig Anderson

1   O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

          for his steadfast love endures for ever. 

2   Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, 

          those he redeemed from trouble 

3   and gathered in from the lands, 

          from the east and from the west, 

          from the north and from the south.

17  Some were sick through their sinful ways, 

          and because of their iniquities endured affliction; 

18  they loathed any kind of food, 

          and they drew near to the gates of death. 

19  Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, 

          and he saved them from their distress; 

20  he sent out his word and healed them, 

          and delivered them from destruction. 

21  Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, 

          for his wonderful works to humankind. 

22  And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, 

          and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

2nd Scripture Reading:  Luke 15:1-10 - Tammy Rider, Champlain

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.

And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?

When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home,

he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

‘Or what woman having ten silver coins,* if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house,

and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying,

“Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

Sermon: “One Was Missing” 
Tammy Rider, Chaplain and member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area

Music: I want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Music by Houston
Jusun Kim, Piano

Closing: Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer 
Pastor Jeff Foels

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory,
forever. Amen.

Sending

Wherever you are, and wherever you go, hold this with you:
Be in the world in peace;
Have courage;
Hold onto what is good;
Return no one evil for evil;
Support the weak;
Help the suffering;
Honor all God’s children;
Love and serve the Lord,
Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
May God, who creates, redeems, and sustains, keep you steadfast in faith,
buoyant in hope, and abounding in love. And the blessing of God, Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Alelluia! Amen. 

God bless you while you stay steadfast in His Love!

Thank you for your offering!