Fifth Sunday in Lent

Date
March 21, 2021
Author
Don Bennett
Category
Bulletins

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

Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 21, 2021
10:30 A.M.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136

Introduction

God promises Jeremiah that a “new covenant” will be made in the future: a covenant that will allow all the people to know God by heart. The church sees this promise fulfilled in Christ, who draws all people to himself when he is lifted up on the cross. Our baptismal covenant draws us to God’s heart through Christ and draws God’s light and truth into our hearts. We see God’s heart most clearly in the way Jesus shares human suffering, in an agony both the John and Hebrews readings describe.
Life Not Thwarted by Death
On Ash Wednesday we put ashes on our heads, allowing our truth to be exposed: we are mortal; we are dust. We spoke a confession, and more and more truth bubbled up, truth that so often is suppressed: we are broken; we have fallen short; we are implicated in the muck of systemic sin. On Ash Wednesday we agreed: we are done putting on airs.
Jesus has never been one for putting on airs, and so today we find him living the consequence of a truthful, authentic life. He has raised Lazarus from the dead, he has attracted a following, and the religious authorities are afraid for themselves and their people living under Roman oc- cupation that Jesus is about to bring Rome down upon their heads. They are actively seeking to silence Jesus for the sake of the nation.
We meet Jesus today facing down the choice either to bury his truth in order to stay safe or to let the truth of his life be known and therefore risk being buried. Jesus chooses to let his truth and his light shine, knowing he will be buried for it. Despite the way it troubles his soul, he is clear that this is what he has come to do. Like the wheat seed that dies to create life in a new stalk of grain, Jesus’ life will not be thwarted by the threat of death.
When you were baptized, you were baptized into Christ’s life; the seed of your life was buried in Christ. When you dine at Christ’s table, you take his life into your own. His fearless, free, unearthed, burgeoning life is yours. You are free, O church, from the work of appeasing others, of contorting yourself to stay safe, of quieting your unique and therefore potent voice, of finding creative ways to hide the light that is in you. Your life will not be thwarted by death. So, live.

GATHERING

The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

CENTERING SONG – “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” (ELW 325)

I want Jesus to walk with me;
I want Jesus to walk with me:
all along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
in my trials, Lord, walk with me;
when my heart is almost breaking,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

GATHERING SONG – Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed

Alas! And did my Savior bleed,
and did my sov’reign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
for sinners such as I?

Was it for sins that I had done
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
and love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
and shut its glories in
when God, the mighty maker, died
for his own creatures’ sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears,
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt my eyes to tears.

But tears of grief cannot repay
the debt of love I owe;
here, Lord, I give myself away:
’tis all that I can do.

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

KYRIE

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,
and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.
O God, with steadfast love you draw us to yourself,
and in mercy you receive our prayers. Strengthen us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that through life and death we may live in 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

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

FIRST READING – Jeremiah 31:31-34

The Judeans in Babylon blamed their exile on their ancestors, who had broken the covenant established at Sinai. Here the prophet looks to a day when God will make a new covenant with the people. There will be no need to teach the law, because God will write it on their hearts.

A reading from the book of Jeremiah.
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING – Hebrews 5:5-10

Using priestly imagery and references to the Old Testament, the author explains how Christ lived in trusting obedience to God, and so God has made Christ the source of our eternal salvation.

A reading from the book of Hebrews.
Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;
as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Let your steadfast love come to us, O Lord.
Save us as you promised; we will trust your word.
Save us as you promised; we will trust your word.

GOSPEL READING – John 12:20-33

Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time to celebrate the Passover festival. Here Jesus’ words about seeds planted in the ground turn the disaster of his death into the promise of a harvest in which everyone will be gathered.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

MESSAGE – Pastor Jamie vannoy

HYMN OF THE DAY – “Touch the Sky”

What fortune lies beyond the stars,
Those dazzling heights too vast to climb.
I got so high to fall so far,
But I found heaven as love swept low.

My heart beating, my soul breathing,
I found my life when I laid it down.
Upward falling, spirit soaring,
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.

What treasure waits within your scars,
This gift of freedom gold can’t buy.
I bought the world and sold my heart;
You traded heaven to have me again.

My heart beating, my soul breathing,
I found my life when I laid it down.
Upward falling, spirit soaring,
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.

Find me here at your feet again,
Everything I am reaching out, I surrender.
Come, sweep me up in your love again,
And my soul will dance on the wings of forever.
Find me here at your feet again,
Everything I am reaching out, I surrender.
Come, sweep me up in your love again,
And my soul will dance on the wings of forever.

My heart beating, my soul breathing,
I found my life when I laid it down. Upward falling, spirit soaring,
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.

My heart beating, my soul breathing,
I found my life when I laid it down.
Upward falling, spirit soaring,
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.

Find me here at your feet again,
Everything I am reaching out, I surrender.
Come, sweep me up in your love again,
And my soul will dance on the wings of forever.

Upward falling, spirit soaring,
I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need.

A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
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.

MEAL

God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into the path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire.

In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus 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 all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we await the day when Jesus shall return to free all the earth from the bonds of slavery and death. Come, Lord Jesus! And let the church say, Amen.
Amen.

Send your Holy Spirit, our advocate, to fill the hearts of all who share this bread and cup with courage and wisdom to pursue love and justice in all the world. Come, Spirit of freedom! And let the church say, Amen.
Amen.

Join our prayers and praise with your prophets and martyrs of every age, that, rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection, we might live in the freedom and hope of your Son. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER (personal option – holding hands)

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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Amen.

COMMUNION

SONG AFTER COMMUNION

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared
in the sight of ev’ry people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray.
Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pil- grimage: may our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

SENDING

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING

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.

SENDING SONG – I Am the Bread of Life

“I am the Bread of life.
You who come to me shall not hunger,
and who believe in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me unless the Father beckons.”