The Service in PDF format is at: March 27, 2022 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook
Video of service is at: YouTube
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Dan Johnson
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Haley Bentsen, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Aaron Bentsen, Oscar Gutbrod, Reese Grube, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd
Today, March 27, 2022
Musician Karyn Stanley
Lead Singing Karen Motlok
Reader Rick Durling
AS WE GATHER………………… A guilty, heavy conscience can wreak havoc on a person and on a soul. As King David was inspired to write in a psalm, going back to his time of sinful indiscretions bottled up inside, he says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long” (Psalm 32:3). It is what a guilty, unclean conscience can do. One can only imagine the state of most of Joseph’s brothers, who for nearly twenty years kept to themselves the treatment of their brother and the secrets and lies kept from their father, Jacob. Through this Genesis account and throughout Scripture, we are reminded again what can cleanse a conscience and give peace to a soul. Through repentance, confession, forgiveness, and the grace of God, we are affirmed through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and a clean conscience and new life is had.
A WORD ABOUT OUR WORSHIP TODAY
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 51:1–9
Pastor: In this Lenten season, we journey with Joseph in Genesis
People: and come to the cross of Christ on Calvary.
Pastor: Joseph’s journey in Genesis came full circle when his brothers journeyed to Egypt in need of food as a famine struck the land. With their sinful actions from decades prior left unresolved, they and their consciences bowed down before their brother Joseph. We, too, know what a guilty conscience feels like, yet we also are given the knowledge of where to bring our sin and shame. We respond with the psalmist:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
People: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Pastor: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
People: Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment.
Pastor: Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
People: Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Pastor: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
People: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice.
Pastor: Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
People: Lord, we come before you in prayer today, asking for forgiveness. As Paul shares in Philippians, You desire us to “strain ahead for what is in front of us by forgetting what is behind.” We have been all too focused on what we have done and what we have failed to do. Busy focusing on the past, we have forgotten to pay attention to Jesus’ presence today and the needs of our neighbors around us. Open our hearts and eyes to what you would like us to do.
Pastor: Jesus once said, “He came not to be served, but to serve.” He serves you in a special way today as he grants forgiveness. As a called and ordained servant of the Jesus, I announce the grace of God to all of you. In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SONG OF SHARING FORGIVENESS “Freely, Freely”
Words & Music by: Carol Owens, adapted from: Matt. 10:7,8 © 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publication
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received:
Freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe,
Others will know that I live.”
.
All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name,
In earth and heav’n in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His pow’r as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received:
Freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe,
Others will know that I live.”
Pastor: We pray.
People: Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
HEARING FROM GOD’S WORD
Reader: And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said,
People: “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”
Reader: 8 And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” 10 They said to him,
People: “No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies.”
Reader: He said to them, “No, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see.” 13 And they said,
People: “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.”
Reader: 14 But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. 15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 And he put them all together in custody for three days.
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another,
People: “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
Reader: 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Reading Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable:
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,
29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
.
SERMON
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
SERMON SONG “Just as I Am, without One Plea”
Text: Charlotte Elliott, 1789-1871; Tune: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
.
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can
cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict,
many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
People: I believe in God, who has created all things and continues to create new life within us.
I believe in Jesus, son of God, son of man, the Savior of the world. By His life, His death and resurrection, I can know the true depth of human possibility, and experience the true joy of an abundant life.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is present, now and always, calling us to faith, giving us gifts and empowering us for service.
I believe that the community of believers called the church can experience the fulness of life through the word, the sacraments, and all that we do.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Psalm 51:10
Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, we see with Joseph’s brothers what a guilty conscience does to selves and relationships. As we journey with him and look to the cross of Christ through it all, we thank You for the invitation to confess our sins and through Your Son to receive forgiveness and grace. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
People: and renew a right spirit within me.
Pastor: Bless us in this Lenten season in all we do, serving You in our respective vocations, families, homes, and relationships with others. Give us strength and courage as we live as Your witnesses and speak Your truth in love. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
People: and renew a right spirit within me.
Pastor: Be with those whose hearts are far from You, that their guilt be relieved, doubts be conquered, fears be given peace, dread given joy, and hopelessness given faith and trust in You. Be especially with those who request our prayers, [including…], and all who face struggles in their earthly journeys. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
People: and renew a right spirit within me.
Pastor: Grant us our daily bread, preserve us from greed and selfish cares, and help us trust in You to provide for all our needs, rejoicing always in Your fatherly care. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
People: and renew a right spirit within me.
Pastor: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen.
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever. Amen
Pastor: In this Lenten season, we journey with Joseph in Genesis
People: and come to the cross of Christ on Calvary.
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
CLOSING HYMN “Blessed Assurance”
By: Fanny J. Crosby & Mrs. J.F. Knapp ©1971 by William J. Glaither. The Other Song Book.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
.
Pastor: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
LENTEN MIDWEEK Service. This week Peace will continue our Lenten services on March 30 with the subject “Lead us not into temptation”. We will start at 6:30pm and will follow the Holden Evening Prayer format. We hope you can make it.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE.
- Palm Sunday – April 10 – Service at 11:00am
- Maundy Thursday – April 14 – Service at 7:00pm
- Good Friday – April 15 – Service at 7:00pm
- Easter Sunday – April 17 – Service at 10:00am
- Easter Egg Hunt – April 17 – Following Service at approximately 11:15
Ladies Guild luncheon. Mark your calendars for the Ladies Guild Luncheon to be held in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday May 14. Invitations are in the Narthex. Tickets will be $15 and will be available for sale starting April 3 through May 1st. Seating is limited so get your tickets early from Maggie Baker.
Church Cleanup Day. Saturday April 2nd at 9:00am we will be cleaning up the landscape and putting down new bark in the beds around the church. Please come out and help. With enough hands, we can have this done in a couple of hours. Bring gloves and work clothes. Also, if you have the ability, we can use extra wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels.
Easter flowers and fellowship. Please consider bringing flowers to the church before Easter Sunday to place on the Easter Cross. Also, we will be having fellowship following the service on Easter and we would love to have some homemade treats to share. Please bring items that are individual such as cookies or cupcakes and refrain from potluck dishes such as casseroles or soups.