The Service in PDF format is at: March 22, 2025 Service
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.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
Supt. Of Sunday School Anne Schroeder & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Callie Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Dan Dusek, Seamus Harrington
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Ginny Tonelli, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Anne Schroeder, John Mergl
Today, March 23, 2025
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Carole Gutbrod
THEME: All four Gospels record the event in Gethsemane when
the ear of the high priest’s servant is cut off. Only John gives us
names—Peter and Malchus. Our attention now is drawn to
Gethsemane that night when Judas betrays Jesus as Peter cuts off
the ear of Malchus. The chief priests, scribes, Judas, and Peter all
seek power and control of the situation. Jesus—the only one with
true power and authority—lays it down, as He also does with His
life itself. In His resurrection, Jesus will take up His life again,
reclaiming His power, control, and authority, which extends
throughout the earth and heavens.
RINGING OF THE BELL…………. After the ringing of the bell, we prepare our hearts in silence for today’s worship.
Words By Nancy Price & Don Besig. Music by Don Besig. Copyright 1988, 1989, Glory Sound International.
When you feel discouraged,
When you’re lost and alone,
Ask the Lord to help you.
He will claim you as His own.
If you need to find an answer,
He will hear your silent prayer.
Anywhere life leads you,
You will find him always there.
.
When your life seems empty,
Let Him take your hand.
He will not forsake you,
He will help you understand.
With a heart that’s always open,
With a love that has no end.
He will stand beside us.
He’s our Master and our Friend.
.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear.
We should never be discouraged.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
He is always at our side.
Oh what joy and peace it brings us
When we know He is our guide.
You must follow where He leads you;
He will never let you stray.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
Give your heart to Him today.
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: Amen.
Leader: Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
People: Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
Leader: Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself;
People: the Lord hears when I call to Him.
CONFESSING TO GOD
Leader: As we eagerly await our final transformation as citizens of heaven on the day of resurrection, let us above all pursue steadfastness of faith, relying on the power and promises of God our heavenly Father.
People: O almighty God, our Father in heaven, we come to You in our weakness seeking and imploring the strength of Your grace and blessing. Our sins wear us down. Make us desire all that You promise and to firmly believe in Your forgiveness and help now and for all our days. We ask this solely for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Good Shepherd.
SONG OF CONFESSION “White As Snow”
(twice through)
White as snow, white as snow,
Though my sins were as scarlet
Lord, I know, Lord I know
That I’m clean and forgiven,
Through the power of your blood,
Through the wonder of your love,
Through faith in you, I know that I can be
White as snow.
Leader: Even amid the challenges and hardships of life in this world, as citizens of the kingdom of God we have the assurance of grace abounding throughout our days. Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Leader: Let us pray. God of hope, in Christ’s Passover from death to life, you have restored Your fallen creation and raised up to life a people marked for death. Fill us with thanksgiving that we, who by the rescue of Your grace have been made new, may delight in Your ways; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.
People: Amen.
Hearing From God’s Word
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 53:1-5
The suffering servant mistreated.
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Jesus is arrested.
18 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN: “There is a Redeemer”
Text and Music: Melody Green; arranged by Keith Phillips; Copyright 1982 Birdwing Music/Cherry Lane Music Pub. Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
There is a Redeemer,
Jesus God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God,
Messiah, Holy One.
Thank you, O my Father
for giving us Your Son;
And leaving Your Spirit
‘til the work on earth is done.
.
Jesus, my redeemer,
Name above all names.
Precious Lamb of God,
Messiah, Hope for sinners slain.
Thank you, O my Father
for giving us Your Son;
And leaving Your Spirit
‘til the work on earth is done.
.
When I stand in glory,
I will see His face,
And there I’ll serve My King forever,
In that holy place.
Thank you, O my Father
for giving us Your Son;
And leaving Your Spirit
‘til the work on earth is done.
.
SERMON
“A New Kind of Power”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
We give our offerings as a sign of our lives offered to God.
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Gracious Father, we give You thanks and praise for sending Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, into this world to bear our sins and be our Savior. Under His watchful eye, we live as Your children, protected from all danger and guarded in heart and mind. Hear now the prayers we bring before Your throne of grace. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: watch over us and hear our prayer.
Leader: O Lord, Your eye is always on Your creation. Grant that our land be fruitful because of Your faithfulness. Bless all those who labor as You give us strength for the fulfillment of our daily callings. Guide the members of our government and all those who lay down their lives to guard and defend us that we be protected from the threats of our adversaries and give thanks to You for Your constant care. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: watch over us and hear our prayer.
Leader: Healer of the broken, work mightily in the lives of all who experience hardships in their health, [including . . .]. Grant that all who ask for healing mercies lift up their eyes to You, the watchman for our bodies and souls, and find peace in knowing that Your face is shining upon them. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: watch over us and hear our prayer.
Leader: Deliver us, O Lord, from temptation to manage and control the troubles and uncertainties of this mortal life and grant us faith in You, that our peace may come not from the things around us but from the grace and mercy You have manifested upon the cross, once for all. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: watch over us and hear our prayer.
Leader: Into Your loving hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and 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
Leader: Go with us today, O Lord, and in Your great mercy defend us from the dangers that may come this week. Open our eyes to Your work done in and around us this week.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “How Firm A Foundation”
Text: J. Rippon, A selection of Hymns, 1787, alt. Tune: early American; © Public Domain
How firm a foundation,
O saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in
His excellent word!
What more can He say
than to you He has said,
who unto the Savior
for refuge have fled?
.
“Fear not, I am with you,
Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am your God,
and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you,
and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My righteous,
omnipotent hand.”
.
“When through fiery trials
your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient,
shall be your supply;
The flames shall not hurt you;
I only design
your dross to consume,
and your gold to refine.
.
Throughout all their lifetime
my people shall prove
My sov’reign, eternal,
unchangeable love;
And then, when gray hairs
shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still
in my bosom be borne.
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LENT SOUP SUPPER AND WORSHIP………… We are halfway through the season of Lent already. All are welcome to this Wednesdays’ Soup Supper at 5:00 pm with Holden Evening Prayer at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary. Thank you to everyone that has provided food this year. All the slots for the upcoming Lent Soup Suppers have been filled.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY FOR LENT…………….. Pastor Lucke is sharing a series “Walking with Jesus in 2025” for the adult Sunday School hour. This week’s discussion was about balanced relationships. Jesus had three kinds of relationships in his earthly life. Jesus had an up relationship with his Heavenly Father. Jesus had an in relationship with his closest disciples. Jesus had out relationships with people on the outside of his everyday routines. Have you considered the kinds of relationships you are fostering? Are the up, in and out dimensions apparent in your life? All are welcome for sharing and discussion. We meet at 9:00 am in the sanctuary each Sunday. On Sunday, March 30 we will be discussing the value of being a mentor to someone else and bringing them along in their faith development.
VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK’S SERVICE……………… It is Spring Break this week and we are expecting people to be travelling and resting up. We do have some holes to fill for volunteering next Sunday, March 30. We still need ushers, a host for fellowship and someone to provide flowers. Let Dan know if you have the availability and willingness to serve! Let Dan know too if you have an interest in serving in April–there are plenty of spaces to be filled!
CLEAN UP DAY……………… Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5 for Peace’s Spring Clean Up day. We are attempting to clean both the inside and outside of the church this day in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Bring gloves, shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows as we spread the bark. See Sally or Dan if you have any questions! Thank you!
