The Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 27, 2022
The Rev. James A. Kabel
+ FOURTH SUNDAY in LENT +
27 March 2022
WELCOME
Welcome to worship! Christ’s love draws all of us together around his throne of grace. May this morning’s worship assure you of his mercy and all that he has accomplished for your eternal life. Guests and visitors, please honor us by signing our Guest Book at the entrance as you leave. If you have no church home of your own, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. After this morning’s worship, please join us for a cup of coffee in the reception area 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 Celebrating the Father’s Love
In the powerful parable of the Prodigal Son, we see what to many seems foolish. The love of the forgiving father toward the undeserving prodigal son seemed foolish to the brother who remained at home. And yet, it is God’s foolish, selfless, loving plan to welcome home all who stray and to impart the same foolish, forgiving love to his faithful ones. Celebrate God’s love!
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord God our Father, there is nothing you cannot do. We ask you to cleanse us from all sin and make us strong by your gracious hand to heal and to forgive; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen..
+ THE ORDER of WORSHIP +
Haugen Setting—Adapted for Lent
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
PRELUDE Sweet Hour of Prayer — C. E. Walz Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
HYMN Today Your Mercy Calls Us LSB 915
ORDER OF CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Return to me with all your heart, says the Lord, with prayer and fasting, with weeping and mourning, with broken and contrite hearts.
For the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
What love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God.
+ A Brief Silence for Reflection and Self-examination +
O God, in your kindness have pity. O God in your mercy, wash away our sins. Cleanse us from the stain and guilt of the sins we cannot forget and those we cannot remember, for we have given way to temptation and have disobeyed you in our thinking, our speaking, and our doing. We deserve your wrath and punishment. For the sake of Jesus Christ, turn your eyes from our iniquity and cover our guilt, that we may know again the joy of your salvation.
See what love the Father has for his children. Though we have run from him, he receives us back into his loving arms; though we have sinned, for Jesus’ sake we are forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE PASSING OF PEACE
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share the peace of the Lord as we greet each other.
[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.”]
DIALOG
Behold, now is the acceptable time;
now is the day of salvation.
Turn us again, O God of our salvation,
that the light of your face may shine on us.
May your justice shine like the sun;
and may the poor be lifted up.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace all of us with your mercy. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 12:1-6
[Isaiah writes of God’s love for his people while they were “still far off” and turns his anger from them. Because he has become our salvation, our strength and our song, Isaiah encourages a response of thanksgiving and trust.]
You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with mem your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND LESSON 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
[One way to describe the gospel is the promise that in Christ everything is transformed into newness. All mistakes, all deliberate sins, all old history is reconciled with Christ’s resurrection. This is Paul’s strong message to the congregation in the city of Corinth.]
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GRACE CHOIR Jesus Is the Living Stone — Mary McDonald
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
[Jesus tells a parable about a man who ponders his father’s love only after he has spurned it. The grace he receives is beyond his hopes. That same grace is a crisis for an older brother who believed it was his obedience that earned him a place in the father’s house.]
Now the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable …
“There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here in hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what all these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in; his father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HYMN OF THE DAY Amazing Grace — LSB 744
SERMON Where Is Home? Text: The Gospel Pr. Em. Jim Kabel
APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence 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 THE CHURCH
OFFERING
[The offering is brought forward.]
OFFERING PRAYER
Merciful Father, we offer you these gifts as signs of our time and labor. Receive the offering of our lives, and feed us with your grace, that, even in the midst of death, all creation might feast on your unending life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Holy God, our living Water, and our merciful Guide,
together with rivers and seas, wells, and springs
we bless and magnify you.
You led your people Israel through the desert,
and provided them water from the rock.
We praise you for Christ, our Rock, and our Water,
who joined us in our desert, pouring out
his life for the world.
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 which is given
for you. Do this in 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 for all people for the forgiveness
of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his life, death, and resurrection, we await your salvation for this thirsty world. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Pour out your Spirit upon this holy food and on all who are gathered for this feast; wash away our sin, that we may be revived for our journey by the love of Christ.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Through him all glory and honor are yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy
Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen.
Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
PAX DOMINI
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution Song Now We Remain (See insert)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of our pilgrimage, in this meal you nourished us with the gifts of faith and hope. Sustain us on our journey that, refreshed by your grace, we may reach the promised land, the Easter Feast of victory in Jesus Christ. Amen.
BLESSING
SONG Thanks Be to You (Join in singing)
- Praise to you, O God of mercy: Thanks be to you forever!
Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever!
- From of old you loved and sought us: Thanks be to you forever!
Truth and justice you have taught us: Thanks be to you forever!
Strong is your faithfulness, strong is your love,
Rememb’ring your covenant of love with us.
- Praise to you, O God of mercy: Thanks be to you forever!
Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever!
Thanks be to you forever!
SILENT PRAYER
+ With Great Joy … Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Grace Notes
NEXT SUNDAY! Worship ‘n Work Clothes – April 3rd Wear your work clothes to Sunday worship and be ready to start working following a cup of coffee. A Sign-up Sheet of chores that need to be accomplished in and around the church is 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 before or after. We’ll finish up enjoying a light lunch.
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
WEDNESDAY: Women’s Bible Study 10:00 am
Lenten Service 12:00 noon
Choir Practice 7:00 pm
SUNDAY the 3rd: Bible Study 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Worship ‘n Work Clothes 11:00 am
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES at Grace: During the season of Lent, the Tuesday morning Women’s Study will be meeting on Wednesdays 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.
Grace Lutheran Church
660 Frances Lane
Ashland, OR 97520
541-482-1661