The Service in PDF format is at: March 5, 2023 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. Offerings may be placed in the plates by the doors as we exit the sanctuary. 

Serving You

Pastor                                                         Pastor Jeremy Lucke

Music Director                                            Colleen Schulze

Choir Director                                             Diane Crocker

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, Callie Santora, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Rick Durling, Jim Holroyd, Nora Stanley, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek

Today, March 5, 2023

Musician                                                    Colleen Schulze

Reader                                                       Brande Grassel

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

AS WE GATHER:  Abraham is a great example of faith. As we often pray for faith and good courage to the Lord who has called us “to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown,” Abraham lived with this courage. From Haran to Canaan, Abraham was led by the hand of God toward the unfolding future God had prepared in the incarnation of His only-begotten Son to be our Savior and Redeemer. During Lent we join with Abraham of old and all the saints in trusting the Lord through the unknown tomorrows to the outcome and end we do know in Christ-everlasting life.

 WELCOME & Announcements

INVOCATION

Leader:  In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People:  Amen.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Leader:  Forgive us for all that we have thought and said and done that is contrary to Your will and Your ways, and forgive us for times we have trusted in our own righteousness instead of relying on Your grace in Christ Jesus, our Redeemer. 

People:  Have mercy on us and forgive us, O God. 

Leader:  Forgive us for times we have not been good stewards of Your great creation and for times we have been unwilling to help our neighbors as we ought. 

People:  Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your steadfast love.  Create in us clean hearts, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us. 

Leader:  Our God is a great God and knows our needs for all areas of our life. God knows our weakness and our unbelieving hearts, yet loves us enough to die on a cross and provide forgiveness of our sin. Now the focus is not on the faith that we can muster, but on the great gifts that our Lord gives daily as we live in trust. God has given us the gift of faith, faith for the moment, faith for every trial, faith for every temptation, faith for every difficult situation. Praise God for this inexpressible gift of faith.

People:  Amen. 

OPENING SONG:                        “Morning Has Broken”

Written by: Eleanor Farjeon; Public Domain.

Morning has broken like the first morning,

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing! Praising for the morning!

Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

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Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,

Like the first dewfall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

Sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

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Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning

Born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation, praise ev’ry morning,

God’s recreation of the new day!

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Leader:  O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People:  Amen. 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Old Testament         Genesis 12:1-9

A promise of God is made to Abram.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.

And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

HOLY GOSPEL:         John 3:1-17

Jesus teaches Nicodemus by night on being born again.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to You, O Christ.

SERMON HYMN:          “Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer”

Text: William Williams, 1717-1791; tr. composite, alt. © Tune: John Hughes, 1873-1932

Guide me ever, great Redeemer,

Pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but you are mighty;

Hold me with your pow’rful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven

Feed me now and ever more,

Feed me now and ever more.

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Open now the crystal fountain

Where the healing waters flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey through.

Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,

Shield me with your mighty arm,

Shield me with your mighty arm.

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When I tread the verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death and hell’s destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs and praises, songs and praises,

I will raise forever more,

I will raise forever more.

SERMON

Pastor Jeremy Lucke

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

APOSTLES’ CREED

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 was 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.

PRAYER SONG      “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer:

When I call answer me.

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer.

Come and listen to me.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Leader:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Jesus Christ and for all people according to their needs. 

We pray for all Christians around the world that, as people united in faith, we may witness to the good news that is ours in Jesus.  Lord, in Your mercy,

People:  hear our prayer. 

Leader:  We pray for all nations of the earth that in all places there may be peace.  We pray for people in lands where there has been upset and strife.  We pray for our own nation that it may know safety and the people may be joyful in their daily lives.   Lord, in Your mercy, 

People:  hear our prayer. 

Leader:  We pray for all those whose labor serves us, especially those in the military, our police personnel, medical workers, and all those whose efforts support the common good.  Lord, in Your mercy,

People:  hear our prayer. 

Leader:  We pray for the special concerns on our hearts today, including health and family needs, bringing to You our joys, our sorrows, our hopes, (including…).  Lord, in Your mercy,

People:  hear our prayer. 

Leader:  Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

People:  Amen. 

PRAYER SONG    “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer:

When I call answer me.

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer.

Come and listen to me.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN       “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Charles Crozat Converse; Joseph Medlicott Scriven; Words: Public Domain ; Music: Public Domain

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear.

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear.

All because we do not carry,

Everything to God in prayer.

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Have we trials and temptations,

Is there trouble anywhere.

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.

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Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care.

Precious Savior still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise forsake thee,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

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Blessed Savior Thou hast promised,

Thou wilt all our burdens bear.

May we ever Lord be bringing,

All to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded,

There will be no need for prayer.

Rapture praise and endless worship,

Will be our sweet portion there.

BENEDICTION

Leader:  The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.  The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

People:  Amen.

CLOSING HYMN:     “Let All Things Now Living”

Katherine Kennicott Davis; 1939. Renewed 1966 E.C. Schirmer Music Company (Admin. by ECS Publishing Corporation)

Let all things now living

A song of thanksgiving

To God the Creator triumphantly raise,

Who fashioned and made us,

Protected and stayed us,

Who still guides us on to the end of our days.

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God’s banners are o’er us,

His light goes before us,

A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,

Till shadows have vanished

And darkness is banished,

As forward we travel from light into light

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His law He enforces,

The stars in their courses

And sun in its orbit obediently shine;

The hills and the mountains,

The rivers and fountains,

The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine.

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We too should be voicing

Our love and rejoicing;

With glad adoration a song let us raise

Till all things now living

Unite in thanksgiving:

“To God in the highest Hosanna and praise!”

DISMISSAL   

Pastor: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

POST-SERVICE MUSIC

Announcements

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS. We will be continuing Soup Supper this week on Wednesday, March 8. The supper will start at 5:00pm and service at 6:00pm. Please check the sign-up sheets are in the hallway between the Narthex and Fellowship Hall to see if you can bring something to share. The service will follow the Holden Evening Prayer format.

New Lenten Devotion Book. We have some new devotional books titled “Man of Sorrows, People of Joy” for the season of Lent. They are available on the table in the Narthex.

Speaking the Truth in Love Come and join a Bible Study opportunity finishing up next Sunday, March 12 at 9:00am in the Sanctuary. There has been a lot of conversation around the issue of race within society and within the church. The Northwest District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod has produced a collection of materials to assist in discussions on race for our churches. Consider attending. Here is what we’ll be discussing.

March 12         “Love is Active”

New Bible Study. David Leding will be leading a new Bible Study starting on March 19th. His study is based on the book, “On Being a Theologian of the Cross” by Gerhard Forde. This study helps us to better understand suffering and what exactly Jesus’ death on the cross means for living today.

Church Cleanup Day. Saturday, March 25 will be the annual church cleanup day. The event will start at 8:00 and go until we are finished. We should be done by 11:00 or 12:00. We will be cleaning up both the inside and outside of the church. If you are available, we would enjoy having you help – many hands make light work.

NEWSLETTERS. The March newsletter is out. If you would like a paper copy, there are some in the Narthex. Please let Daniel know if you would like a paper copy mailed to you.