Gathering in God s Presence

(1)

First Lutheran Church ☩ Saint Peter, Minnesota

Fourth Sunday of

Lent

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Gathering in God’s Presence

Prelude — “There in God’s Garden” Setting by Anne Krentz Organ

Keith Stelter, oboe

Welcome

Confession and Forgiveness

Sometimes we stride through this life arrogantly, believing that our achievements come exclusively via our own brilliance, our own perseverance. Sometimes we race through this life recklessly, feeling that we must compete and that we must finish first.

Sometimes we tiptoe through this life fearfully, worried that we will be shortchanged of what we need and of what we want.

Sometimes we meander through this life inattentively, unsuspecting that our words may harm or our actions may injure.

Sometimes we slip through this life spitefully, supposing that grudges should be kept and forgiveness should be withheld.

Sometimes we wander through this life

obliviously, unaware that small and large miracles surround us.

Sometimes we skulk through this life suspiciously, thinking that trust is a misguided danger.

Sometimes we barrel through this life heedlessly, ignoring that there is goodness and beauty to be noticed.

Sometimes we stomp through this life noisily, forgetting that God just may be waiting to meet us in the silence.

(enter into silent prayers of confession)

Forgive us for treading so blindly on this journey. Forgive us, but then outfit us with generosity, purpose, wonder, humility, and sight for the next leg of this journey with you. Amen.

(2)

(3)

Prayer of the Day

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

God of the world, we see you on the cross, and we see you resurrected. We give thanks that you gave yourself for all people to know through Christ Jesus. Meet us in our eternal life here and now as we continue our quest to see the world how you see it. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

Hearing & Responding to Scripture

A Reading from Hebrew Scriptures — Numbers 21:4-9

4From Mount Hor [the Israelites] set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” 6Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” 9So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

“Give thanks for Yahweh’s goodness; God’s love endures forever!”

Let these be the words of Yahweh’s redeemed, those redeemed from the oppressor’s clutches, those brought home from foreign lands, from east and west, from northern lands and southern seas.

Some were fools who suffered because of their rebellion,

because of their own sins,

until they were so sick, nearly at death’s door, that food became repugnant.

Then they called to Yahweh in their trouble and God rescued them from their sufferings,

sending a word to heal them, and snatching them from the Pit.

Let them thank Yahweh for this great love, for the marvels done for all people.

Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and recount what God has done in joyful song.

(4)

A Reading from the Epistles — Ephesians 2:1-10

1You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Gospel Acclamation — from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Setting Two

Gospel — John 3:12-21

The Gospel of John, the 3rd chapter.

Glory to you, O God.

[Jesus said to Nicodemus:] 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who

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

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

17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

(5)

The Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon — “Can We Rejoice During Lent?” Interim Pastor Bill Nelsen

Hymn — “The Holy One Wills Good for Us”

(6)

Lenten Affirmation of Faith

I believe in God the Creator, who made me and all things,

who set me on my path in this world. I believe in God the Savior,

who is one with the Creator, who rescued me and all creation

from the depredations of our violations against God and creation.

This man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, walked a path through this world,

taking on human form having been born of a woman through the power of the Holy Spirit. He lived and worked in this world among people just like me.

He walked God’s path to death on a cross, and rose from the dead to open our pathway to eternal life.

I believe in God the Holy Spirit, my counselor and guide,

who is one with the Creator and the Christ, who through the body and blood of Jesus brings me into communion with all people, past, present and future;

who calls me to walk a sacred way of life through this world,

caring for creation and the people I meet on the way,

loving them, helping them, welcoming them without prejudice,

being God’s hands and feet in the world.

Prayers of Intercession

Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need. You sent your Son that the world might be saved through him. Inspire the witness of the church throughout the world. Empower missionaries, Bible translators, and ministries of service in your name. Bless our partners in ministry, our ELCA global partner churches, and Young Adults in Global Mission. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

From east to west your steadfast love is shown. Nourish seas and deserts, wilderness areas and cities. Give water to thirsty lands; nurture spring growth that feeds hungry creatures; bless farmers as they prepare for the growing season. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

You sustained your people in the wilderness. Give courage to all who lead in times of crisis and scarce resources. Prosper the work of those who aid victims of famine and drought. Bring peace in places where scarce resources cause violence. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your mercy endures forever. Deliver all who cry to you, especially those who are hungry or without homes. Give life in places where death seems triumphant; give healing to those who are sick and comfort to those who mourn. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

By grace we have been saved. Fill this congregation to overflowing with that grace, that we show mercy to others. Nourish any in our midst who are hungry, especially children, and bless our ministries of feeding and shelter. Give us patience and courage when the way seems long. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is

(7)

Your Son was lifted up that whoever believes might have eternal life. We rejoice that this eternal life reflects the present, and we praise you for all who have died in Christ. Bring us with all the saints into the fullness of your promises. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Creator in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Offering

Please remember to give financially to support our ministry.

You can write a check and mail it to the church office or give online at https://tithe.ly/give?c=283920.

Departing to Serve God’s World

Announcements

Dismissal

Go in peace. Rejoice. Experience real life. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

(8)

Acknowledgements

“Litany: Confessions along the Journey” by Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson, Freshly Squeezed Liturgy. http://freshlysqueezedliturgy.blogspot.com/

https://sites.google.com/site/lisasliturgies/home

Words and music of hymns and worship songs under copyright are reprinted and broadcast using OneLicense #A-724285. “The Holy One Wills Good for Us” text by Ruth Duck. Copyright © 2013 Hope Publishing Company.

Cantor: Emily Bruflat

Lector/Assistant: Rachel, Dave, Ezekiel, and Simon Ribar

Announcements

Thrivent Choice Dollars: Thrivent members, please remember that you can designate your Thrivent Choice

Dollars for First Lutheran Church. This should be done before the end of March. The dollars are lost if you do not designate a recipient! If you have questions, call the St. Peter (or another) Thrivent office. Thank you!

Confirmation Sunday Photographer Needed -We are looking for someone with camera experience to donate

their time and expertise to our confirmation students on Confirmation Sunday, May 2, 2021. Please reach out to Calleigh (cc.flcstp@gmail.com) if you're able to assist with this project.

NLC Virtual Hymn Festival: Hope Lives! Join the National Lutheran Choir and guest artists, the Keith

Hampton Singers, for a FREE virtual program blending spoken reflections, songs and familiar hymns of joy and hope with new music that speaks to our present time, inviting all people of faith to sing in joy together! Sunday, March 14 @ 4pm (Central Daylight Time) @NLCA.com.This online presentation is FREE for all. For a Virtual Subscription to exclusive content ($10/month), visitNLCA.com

Minnesota Foodshare March Campaign: The St. Peter Area Foodshelf (SPAF) is once again participating in

the MN Foodshare March campaign. Donations during the month of March earn SPAF purchasing credits at Second Harvest in St. Paul which can be used throughout the year. First Lutheran members have made generous donations over the years to the March campaign and we need to continue to support this worthy cause. Please support the food shelf with your donations of food or money. Click on this linkSt. Peter Food Shelfto see what items are needed. There is also a yellow donate button on the website for financial contributions.

Prayer Concerns: We are called to remember John Holte, Tom Johnson, Tom Michels, Dick Muesing, Abigail

Christenson, Betty Gustafson, Elgene Lund, Tom Stenson, Chuck Petry, Paul Aasen, Bob Cady, Marion Peterson, Joan Williams, Myrene Bunge, Curt Trygstad, Eunice Amos and one another in prayer. We lift-up prayers of healing for all others in our personal prayers this week. We also pray for the families of Marlene Hebb (sister of Marcia Bunge and aunt of Isaac and Anja), and the family of Carol Trygstad, as they mourn the loss of loved ones.