The Fifth Sunday in Lent
April 3, 2022
The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, Pastor
WELCOME
We extend the hand of fellowship to all who worship here this morning. May all present grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in love and desire to serve Him. Guests and visitors, please honor us by signing our Guest Book in the entrance hall of the church as you leave. If you have no church home of your own in the area, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. The fellowship of this morning continues with a Coffee/Fellowship Hour following worship. Do join us and let us become better acquainted with you as you get to know us better. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER
That God has authority is not always in question, but how God uses His authority so often confuses and confounds us. Such is the way of mercy. We instinctively believe that mercy should be reserved for those who deserve it, but God shows His mercy even to those who reject it. The tenants in Jesus’ parable treat the servants of the vineyard owner shamefully, and yet he sends his own son. Is this not the story of the world since Adam and Eve rebelled against God? Yet even as we rejoice in God’s mercy, we realize that the rejection of His mercy is not without consequence and those who reject the cornerstone will be crushed by it on the day of judgment.
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
PRELUDE I Am His and He Is Mine — by Rachel Sawyer Tatsiana Asheichyk, Organ
543 What Wondrous Love Is This
(The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.)
Pastor In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation Amen.
Pastor Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Congregation who made heaven and earth.
Pastor If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
Congregation But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.
Pastor Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Congregation Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
Pastor Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation Amen.
Pastor Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share the peace of our Lord as we greet each other.
PASSING of PEACE
[The congregation is encouraged to share the peace of Christ and greet one another with the words: “The Lord’s peace be with you.” The response: “And also with you.”]
APOSTOLIC GREETING
Pastor The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
+ SERVICE OF THE WORD +
KYRIE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Congregation Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 43:16–21
[The prophet declares that long ago the Lord performed mighty deeds and delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage through the waters of the sea. Now, the Lord is about to do a new thing, bringing the exiles out of Babylon and through the wilderness in a new Exodus.]
16Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
17who brings forth chariot and horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
18“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
19Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
20The wild beasts will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
21the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.”
Assistant This is the Word of the Lord.
Congregation Thanks be to God.
EPISTLE Philippians 3:4b–14
[Writing to Christians in Philippi, Paul admits that his heritage and reputation could give him more reason than most people to place confidence in his spiritual pedigree. But the overwhelming grace of God in Jesus calls Paul to a new set of values.]
If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Assistant This is the Word of the Lord.
Congregation Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC A Lenten Prayer — by Juliet Calkins Tatsiana Asheichyk, Organ
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 20:9–20
Pastor The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twentieth chapter.
Congregation Glory to You, O Lord.
[A cornerstone was the most important piece of any house or temple in the ancient world. It was the first piece of stone that was laid. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith and life. Without, Jesus we cannot stand. He is our sure foundation in a world of uncertainty. We can build our lives on Him, our Rock and our Redeemer!]
9[Jesus] began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?
18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
19The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.
Pastor This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Congregation Praise to You, O Christ.
433 Glory Be to Jesus
SERMON “Crushing or Comforting Cornerstone” Text: Gospel — Luke 20:9–20
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
OFFERING
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Congregation Gracious God, we bring before you a portion of what you first gave us and with these gifts our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior, and Lord. Amen.
+ SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT +
PREFACE
Pastor The Lord be with you.
Congregation And also with you.
Pastor Lift up your hearts.
Congregation We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Pastor It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, for the countless blessings You so freely bestow on us and all creation. Above all, we give thanks for Your boundless love shown to us when You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into our flesh and laid on Him our sin, giving Him into death that we might not die eternally. Because He is now risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity, all who believe in Him will overcome sin and death and will rise again to new life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:
SANCTUS
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Pastor Blessed are You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
At Your command, Abraham prepared to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice on the mountain; yet, in mercy You provided a ram as a substitute. We give You thanks that on Calvary You spared not Your only Son but sent Him to offer His life as a ransom for many.
As we eat and drink His body and blood, grant us, like Abraham our father, to trust in Your promise now fulfilled in Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Hear us as we pray in His name and as He has taught us:
LORD’S PRAYER
Congregation 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 WORDS OF OUR LORD
Pastor Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
PAX DOMINI
Pastor The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation Amen.
550 Lamb of God
DISTRIBUTION
(The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:)
Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Amen.
Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
Amen.
(In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:)
Pastor The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart + in peace.
Congregation Amen.
430 My Song Is Love Unknown
NUNC DIMITTIS
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
Congregation We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
BENEDICAMUS
Assistant Let us bless the Lord.
Congregation Thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION
Pastor The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace and may you be a blessing to others!
Congregation Amen.
803 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Pastor Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
Congregation Thanks be to God.
+ With Great Boldness … Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Divine Service, Setting Four from Lutheran Service Book
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.
9:00 AM Bible Study with Pr. Josh
10:00 AM Worship
The 14th — Maundy Thursday Service
12:00 Noon
The 15th — Good Friday Service
12:00 Noon
The 17th — Easter Sunday
9:00 AM Easter Breakfast
10:00 AM Worship
Grace Notes
TODAY — April 3rd Worship ‘n Work Clothes Be ready to start working following a cup of coffee. Chores to be accomplished in and around the church are posted in the fellowship area at the back of the Sanctuary. Choose a chore and accomplish it on Worship ‘n Work Clothes Day OR at your leisure after. We’ll finish up enjoying a pizza lunch.
LILIES FOR EASTER — Would you like to help decorate our chancel for Easter by providing a potted lily plant? You may bring your lily to the church during the regular office hours of Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, or on Easter Sunday morning. Following Sunday worship, you may take your lily home to enjoy, or leave it for one
of our homebound parish members.
Easter Sunday Breakfast — We’re excited to once again have our Easter Sunday Breakfast. We will be serving breads and pastries, fresh fruit, and proteins in the Fireside Room at 9:00 am. Please take a moment to stop by the sign-up sheet posted in the back of the Sanctuary and select an item to contribute. If you have any questions, talk with Mary P., Nan G., or Pearl B.
MAILBOX UPDATE — We are in the process of reorganizing the Church mailboxes in the Administrative Wing hallway. We hope to have this complete by Sunday, April 10th.
AID TO UKRAINE — Lutheran World Relief is sending help for our neighbors suffering in the Ukraine crisis. Your gift will deliver urgent support, such as food, shelter, and other critically needed items. Give directly:
- Online at www.lwr.org/match
- By mail to LWR, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write “Ukraine Match” in the memo line.
OR
- Online at LCMS.Org.
- By mail to The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, PO Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861. Make your check out to “The LCMS” and write “Ukraine Relief” in the memo line.
THIS WEEK AT GRACE
TUESDAY the 5th: Lay Ministry ZOOM Meeting 4:00 pm
WEDNESDAY the 6th: Women’s Bible Study 10:00 am
Lenten Service 12:00 noon
Choir Practice 7:00 pm
SATURDAY the 9th: NewMen’s Breakfast Study 8:30 am
SUNDAY the 10th: Palm Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES at Grace: The Women’s Study will resume meeting on Tuesdays on April 19th at 10:00 am in the Library/Conference Room. Next NewMen’s Coffee Study is scheduled for Saturday morning, April 9th, beginning at 8:30 am. Set these times aside now for a good discussion and fellowship.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
Email: gracelutheranashland@gmail.com
Visit our website: gracelutheranashland.org
- FOLLOW us on Facebook at Grace Lutheran Ashland-LCMS
Grace Lutheran Church
660 Frances Lane
Ashland, OR 97520
541-482-1661
Pastor Joshua Heimbuck - heimbuck@me.com