The Holy Eucharist
The Third Sunday in Lent
March 7, 2021
9:30 a.m.
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Lancaster, PA
Welcome to worship. If you are visiting with us, a special welcome. We invite you to return and worship with us as often as you are able. Guest cards are available on the round table in the center of the narthex. Please take one, fill it out and return it to an usher. If you need a large print bulletin, please ask an usher. As you enter the nave, please conclude all conversations and silence all cell phones and other electronic devices, as to fully enter into this time of worship.
Please note the instructions on distancing for the sharing of the peace and receiving Holy Communion.
The Entrance Rite
At the sound of the bell, the assembly stands. The Pastor will begin and the congregation will read responsively.
Psalm 19
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
The Greeting and Prayer of the Day
P
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C
And also with you.
P
Let us pray. Holy God, through your Son you have called us to live faithfully and act courageously. Keep us steadfast in your covenant of grace, and teach us the wisdom that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C
Amen.
Please be seated.
Children’s Message
The children remain at their seat as the pastor share a message with them.
The First Reading
Exodus 20:1-17
A reading from Exodus: God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
L
The word of the Lord.
C
Thanks be to God.
The Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
A reading from First Corinthians: The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
L
The Word of the Lord
C
Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel
John 2:13-22
P
The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the second chapter.
C
Glory to you, O Lord.
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
P
The Gospel of the Lord.
C
Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
Silence for reflection follows.
Please stand.
Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness
The assembly sits or kneels for confession.
P
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen.
P
God hears us and draws us close in Jesus Christ. Let us return to the one who is full of compassion.
Silence is kept for reflection and self-examination.
P
O God, fountain of living water,
C
pour out your mercy over us. Forgive our sin. Wash us in your cleansing flood. Make us alive in the Spirit to follow in the way of Jesus, as healers and restorers of the world you love. Amen.
P
Beloved, God’s word never fails. The promise rests on grace: by the saving love of Jesus Christ. Almighty God have mercy on us, forgives us all our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
C
Amen.
The Prayers of the Church
The assembly remains sitting or kneeling for the prayers.
A
Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need.
After each portion of the prayers:
A
Lord, in your mercy,
C
Hear our prayer.
The prayers conclude:
P
Into your hands Gracious God we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
C
Amen.
The Sharing of The Peace
P
The peace of Christ be with you always.
C
And also with you.
Without leaving your seat offer a wave to your neighbor, sharing God’s peace, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Please stand.
Offertory Prayer
A
Let us pray. Faithful God,
C
you walk beside us in desert places, and you meet us in our hunger with bread from heaven. Accompany us in this meal, that we may pass over from death to life with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
P
The Lord be with you.
C
And also with you.
P
Lift up your hearts.
C
We lift them to the Lord.
P
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Eucharistic Prayer
P
O God, Creator of our wilderness world,
O God, Savior of the lost,
O God, Comforter of the sick and suffering,
we give you thanks for your everlasting might;
we glorify you for your covenant of mercy.
For forty days you cleansed the earth with the waters of the flood.
For forty days you illumined Moses with the words of your law.
For forty years you fed your people with manna from heaven.
You became truly human in Jesus our brother.
For forty days, with fasting and prayer, he renounced the power of the devil.
On the night before he died he took bread, and gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
P
We extol his life. Amen.
C
Amen.
P
We lament his death. Amen.
C
Amen.
P
We celebrate his resurrection. Amen.
C
Amen.
P
Transform us, O God, with your lively Spirit.
Make this food into manna for our journey, the body and blood of your Son.
Grant us with the Ninevites forty days of repentance.
Teach us your words of wisdom and justice.
Renew the whole earth with baptismal grace.
At the last, lead all your pilgrim people through our deserts to your Easter garden.
To you, O God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be our worship and praise, adoration and thanksgiving,
now and forever. Amen.
C
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
C
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.
The Fraction
P
God’s love is poured out in Christ for you. Come to his table where all are welcomed and fed.
C
Thanks be to God.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
Please be seated.
The Distribution of Holy Communion
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America practices open table hospitality. Baptized communicants of other Christian denominations, of all ages, are welcome to receive the sacrament. An usher will direct each seating area to come forward to receive the sacrament. Bring your communion cup with you, or take one from the usher. The pastor will drop the host into your hand. Next move to receive the wine from the Assisting Minister. Then take another step to consume the sacrament. As you return to your seat, place the empty cup into the receptacle. Those persons not receiving communion are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing.
Please stand.
Post Communion Blessing
P
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C
Amen.
Post Communion Prayer
A
Let us pray. God of steadfast love, at this table you gather your people into one body for the sake of the world. Send us in the power of your Spirit, that our lives bear witness to the love that has made us new in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C
Amen.
The Blessing
P
Almighty God, the Father and the + Son, and the Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
C
Amen.
The Dismissal
A
Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
C
Thanks be to God. We will!
Postlude
+++
The text for next week:
Lent 4
Numbers 21:4-9
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
PLAN YOUR WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR LENT
by participating in the mid-week services of Holy Communion
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
The Sermon series this season is entitled:
Martyrs, Missionaries, and Renewers
| March 10 | Harriet Tubman & Sojourner Truth | Psalm 118:5-14 |
| March 17 | Patrick | Luke 24:44-53 |
| March 24 | Oscar Romero | John 12:23-32 |
Holy Week
| March 28 | Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday, 9:30 a.m. |
| April 1 | The Triduum: Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. |
| April 2 | The Triduum: Good Friday, 7:00 p.m. |
| April 3 | The Triduum: The Great Vigil of Easter – online only www.holyspiritlutheran.org |
| April 4 | Easter Day, 9:30 a.m. |
Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS103416.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.
Eucharistic Prayer from Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks: A Collection of Litanies, Laments, and Thanksgivings at Font and Table by Gail Ramshaw, copyright © 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission.