The Service in PDF format is at: March 9, 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 9, 2025
Musician Colleen Schulze
Ushers Scouts
Reader Scouts
Flowers Ruth Dally
AS WE GATHER: As we begin our Lenten journey, we focus our attention on various witnesses to Jesus in John’s Gospel. We begin today with John the Baptist, a man on a mission. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him” (John 1:6-7). Fourteen times in John’s Gospel, the word for witness is connected with John the Baptist. Why was John so effective in witnessing? He pointed to Jesus! How can we follow John’s example in our lives?
OPENING HYMN “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”
Words by William Kethe. Music by Louis Bourgeois
1 All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
Come ye before him and rejoice.
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2 Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make.
We are his folk, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
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3 Oh, enter then his gates with praise;
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Leader: Today we begin our Lenten journey, recognizing the witnesses who point us to Christ,
People: testifying to His words and actions for us.
Leader: John the Baptist directs us to Jesus, proclaiming:
People: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Leader: John’s words remind us that we need forgiveness. We cannot escape our sin, guilt, or shame on our own. Though we may try to hide our sin, our heavenly Father knows all things. He invites us to turn to Him so that our sin, guilt, and shame might be taken away. Together we confess:
People: Lord, we come before You filled with regrets of things we should not have done, words we wish we could take back, and thoughts we cannot bear to remember. Our sins have infected our relationships with others and our relationship with You, Lord. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so the joy of Your salvation might be restored to us.
Leader: John’s words remind us that forgiveness comes to us from Jesus. Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world by His death and resurrection. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, the Lamb of God, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen! Behold, we are forgiven by Christ!
OPENING SONG: “Glorify Thy Name”
Words & Music by Donna Adkins; Arranged by Edward Dagnes; Copyright 1976 & 1981 Maranatha! Music. All rights reserved.
Father, we love Thee,
we praise Thee,
we adore Thee.
Glorify Thy name
in all the earth.
Glorify Thy name,
glorify Thy name.
Glorify Thy name
in all the earth.
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Jesus, we love Thee,
we praise Thee,
we adore Thee.
Glorify Thy name
in all the earth,
Glorify Thy name,
glorify Thy name.
Glorify Thy name
in all the earth.
.
Spirit, we love Thee,
we praise Thee,
we adore Thee.
Glorify Thy name
in all the earth,
Glorify Thy name,
glorify Thy name.
Glorify Thy name
in all the earth.
Leader: O Lord God, Your Son was tempted in the wilderness and overcame.
People: When we encounter trial and temptation, lead us to look to Your perfect Son, that in Him we would have forgiveness and hope;
Leader: through Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
EPISTLE LESSON: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Be reconciled to God and one another.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Behold! The Lamb of God.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”
Dick Grout; Frederick Henry Hedge; Martin Luther; Words: Public Domain
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
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The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
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No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
Whom God himself elected.
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You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus mighty Lord,
God’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
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Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat’ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot over pow’r us.
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Let this world’s tyrant rage;
In battle we’ll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
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God’s Word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
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Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom’s ours forever!
SERMON
“Behold!”
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And 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 into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
And sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come 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.
OFFERINGS GATHERED
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us – Ourselves, our time, our possessions
GATHERING OF MITES
Leader: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Leader: Lord, we pray for all those who struggle with past sins and the guilt and regret that remain from those sins. Open their ears to hear and believe Your Word that they are indeed forgiven by You. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, we pray for all those who have suffered shame, concealing the evil that has been done to them. Encourage them that even if they cannot bring themselves to reveal their pain, You have suffered with them. You have removed their shame. Your light conquers even the deepest darkness. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, restore all those who are sick, injured, recovering, or preparing for surgery, (especially…….). We ask Your healing and patience for these, Your servants. Remind them that You have walked the road of pain and suffering and will raise them out of all their suffering when You return. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Lord, bring back those who have wandered from the faith. Remind them of Your grace. Help Your Church to be a place that welcomes others just as You welcome others. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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: 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 “On Our Way Rejoicing”
Text: John S. B. Monseel, 1811-1875, alt. Tune: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879.©1978 by Lutheran Church in America, The American Lutheran Church, The evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
On our way rejoicing, Gladly let us go.
Christ our Lord has conquered;
Vanquished is the foe.
Christ without our safety;
Christ within our joy;
Who, if we be faithful,
Can our hope destroy?
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Chorus: On our way rejoicing;
As we forward move,
Harken to our praises,
O blest God of Love!
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Unto God the Father, Joyful songs we sing;
Unto God the Savior
Thankful hearts we bring;
Unto God the Spirit
Bow we and adore,
On our way rejoicing
Now and evermore
Chorus
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TABLES OF PEACE……………. Would you like to get to know the members of the congregation better? If so, consider signing up to join a Tables of Peace group. Each group gets together monthly either at the church or in someone’s home to share a meal and engage in conversation. It’s a great way to socialize with your Peace family. The sign-up sheets for February to April are in the hallway between the narthex and the fellowship hall.
LENT SOUP SUPPER………….. The season of Lent has begun. Our next soup supper and Lenten service will be on Wednesday March 12th starting at 5:00pm for supper and worship at 6:00pm. These Wednesday night suppers and gatherings conclude on Wednesday, April 9. Come and enjoy. Plan ahead. To make these gatherings run smoothly, we need people to sign up and provide soup and bread. Please consider sharing something for your Peace family. Sign up on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. See Sally Stouder if you have any questions! Thank you!
Home-Going Celebration………………Peace has put together a Home-Going Celebration Funeral Service Preparation packet. Why did we do this? An online viewer in February wrote to the church asking the question, “Do you have information about all the details of planning a funeral?” The person asked because they weren’t sure if all their family members would remember the details. Peace has a packet available! The packet will prompt you with all sorts of questions regarding education and work history….church and civic activities…..military service and funeral service preferences. Come and see Daniel or Pastor if you’d like a copy to fill in.
New Adult Bible Study…………….. Pastor Lucke will be sharing “Walking with Jesus in 2025” for the Adult Bible Study hour during the season of Lent. The first session will be Sunday, March 9. All are welcome for these presentations in the sanctuary. We’ll begin at 9 am. What it means to follow Jesus will be shared in LifeShapes. Why shapes? Because of technological advancements (which are indeed wonderful), we no longer have to remember something we hear. We can look it up! For this reason, we need information that is attached to symbols and shapes to better remember! By remembering these shapes, we can understand what it means to follow Jesus. See you on March 9th!
