Sixth Wednesday in Lent

Date
March 24, 2021
Author
Don Bennett
Category
Bulletins

Created, saved and gifted by god, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.

Sixth Wednesday in Lent
March 24, 2021
7:00 p.m.

Holden Evening Prayer
Reaching Agreement with God Even in Adversity

GATHERING

The disciples urged Jesus strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

PRELUDE

WELCOME

PROCESSION

Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world;
the light no darkness can overcome.
Staynwith us now, for it is evening;
and the day is almost over.
Let your light scatter the darkness,
and shine within your people here.

THE GRACE

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you
Almighty God to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from who no secrets are hidden
Lord, we open our hearts to you this night.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit
Lord, we are desperate and darkness has enveloped us. We are lost and look to You for light and life. Forgive us, cleanse us, change our directions and focus, and heal us as we come before You.
That we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your Holy Name
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

EVENING HYMN

Joyous light of heav’ly glory, loving glow of God’s own face,
you who sing creation’s story, shine on ev’ry land and race.
Now as evening falls around us, we shall raise our songs to you,
God of daybreak, God of shadows. come and light our hearts anew.

Int he stars that grace the darkness, in the blazing sun of night,
make us shine with gentle wisdom, we can heat your quiet song.
Love that fills the night with wonder, love that warms the weary soul,
Love that bursts all chains a sunder, set us free and make us whole.

You who made the heaven’s splendor, ev’ry dancing star of night,
make us shine with gentle justice, let us each reflect your light.
Mighty God of all creation, gentle Christ whe lights our way,
Loving ‘spirit of salvation, lead us on to endless day.

THANKSGIVING

May God be with you all,
and also with you;
Let us sing our thanks to God,
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Creator of the universe
from old you have led your people by night and day.
May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright,
for your word and your presence are the light of our pathways,
and you are the light and life of all creation.
Amen.

PSALM – Psalm 141

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

O God, I call to you, come to me now;
O hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

Keep watch within me God;
deep in my heart may the light of your love be burning bright.
Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

All praise to the God of all– Creator of life;
all praise be to Christ and the Spirit of love.
Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty and ever-living God,
you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORD

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

FIRST READING Romans 10:14-21

A reading from the book of Romans.
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to be- lieve in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL READING John 10:1-18

The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away — and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Hear ends the reading of the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

MESSAGE

LITANY AND PRAYERS

In peace, in peace, we pray to you:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For peace and salvation, we pray to you:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For peace between nations, for peace between peoples:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For us who are gathered to worship and praise you:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all of your servants who live out your gospel:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all those who govern that justice might guide them:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all those who labor in service to others:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Grant weather that nourishes all of creation:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Keep watch on our loved ones and keep us from danger:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
For all the beloved who rest in your mercy:
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Help us, comfort us, all of our days:
Keep us, hold us, gracious God.

LORD’S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 tempta- tion, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

SENDING

When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.

FINAL BLESSING

Let us bless our God:
praise and thanks to you.
May God, creator bless us and keep us,
may Christ be ever light for our lives,
may the Spirit of Love be our guide and path,
for all of our days.
Amen.

DISMISSAL

You are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.

YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD

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.