Fifth Wednesday in Lent

Date
March 17, 2021
Author
Don Bennett
Category
Bulletins

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

Fifth Wednesday in Lent
March 17, 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 Jeremiah 18:1-11

A reading from the book of Jeremiah.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words. So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL READING John 6:27-40

The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.””
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.