Fifth Sunday in Lent

When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of people we are.

― Cesar Chavez

Sunday, March 21, 2021 Fifth Sunday in Lent

Prelude When Jesus Wept Charles Callahan When Jesus wept, the falling tear in mercy flowed beyond all bounds. When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear seized all the guilty world around.

Opening Words and Prayer Alex Evans

Hymn (pre-recorded) God Is Here Abbot’s Leigh

Call to Confession and Prayer Kate Fiedler Lord, we confess that we love our lives as they are. We struggle with even the idea of change. We wrestle with the thought of doing things differently. We find ourselves stuck in our own ways. But we know that this is not the way of the light. We confess that the life we cling to is only a half-life. For it is only you, O Lord, who can give us true life in full. Forgive us for holding onto grudges, wealth, distractions, and other human wrongdoings. Teach us by your Spirit to let go of our agendas and assumptions, so that we may answer your call to faithful Christian service. Help us to let go of our self-righteousness and false notions of power. Give us the strength and courage to try new things. Encourage us – and even push us –to let go of ourselves so we can fully embrace you. (a period of silence for confession and personal prayer)

Response Lamb of God Nikolaus Decius, arr. F. M. Christiansen Lamb of God most holy, who on the cross didst suffer, patient, still, and lowly, thyself to scorn didst offer. Our sins by thee were taken, or hope had us forsaken. Have mercy on us, O Jesu. N. Decius, tr. Arthur Russell

Words of Assurance Beloved siblings in Christ— this is the Good News! The One who makes a covenant on our hearts is faithful, and forgives us our sins and failures. In Christ God offers forgiving grace and welcome into a community of trust, abundance, and hope. Let us give thanks for the mercy of God, and answer God’s call to be grains of wheat—pursuing our transformed lives in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Anthem When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Gilbert Martin When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through his blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. Isaac Watts

Scripture and Sermon John 12:20-33 Kelley Connelly

Prayers of Intercession and the Lord’s Prayer (ecumenical) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Hymn (pre-recorded) I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Houston

Closing Words and Benediction

Postlude Out of the Depths I Cry to You Max Drischner

Music Notes

Prelude This tune is a round by American composer William Billings (1746-1800). Charles Callahan (b. 1951) is an American organist and composer. Hymn This hymn was written by English Methodist hymnwriter Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000). The tune was composed by Cyril Taylor (1907-1991), an English Anglican minister and musician. His positions included being a producer in the religious broadcasting department of the BBC (19391953), chaplain of the Royal School of Church Music (1953-1958), and precentor of Salisbury Cathedral (1969-1975). Response Nikolaus Decius (c.1485-1541) was a German monk, hymn-writer, reformer, and composer. Arthur Tozer Russell (1806–1874) was an English clergyman known as a hymn-writer. F. Melius Christiansen (1871-1955) was a Norwegian born violinist, organist, and choral conductor in the Lutheran choral tradition. He founded the famous St. Olaf Choir of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1901. Anthem This anthem is based on a hymn by Isaac Watts Watts (167401748). He is often called the “Father of English hymnody.” An Anglican minister, he wrote some 800 hymns. The tune was composed by Lowell Mason (1792-1872), a leading figure in American church music of his time and the composer of some 1,600 hymn tunes. Gilbert Martin (b. 1941) is an American composer and music editor. Hymn Both text and tune of hymn were written by Kathleen Thomerson (b. 1934), an American organist, teacher, and hymnwriter. She studied with famous organists Flor Peeters in Belgium and Jean Langlais in Paris. Postlude This hymn was written as a paraphrase of Psalm 130 by the great German Reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). The tune first appeared in Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn ("A spiritual song booklet"), the first German hymnalfor choir, published in Wittenberg in 1524 by composer and editor Johann Walter (1496-1570) who collaborated with Martin Luther. Max Drischner (1891-1971)was a German composer and organist. A composite translation reads: Out of the depths I cry to you; O Lord God, hear me calling. Incline your ear to my distress in spite of my rebelling. Do not regard my sinful deeds. Send me the grace my spirit needs; without it I am nothing. All things you send are full of grace; you crown our lives with favor. All our good works are done in vain without our Lord and Savior. We praise you for the gift of Faith; you save us from the grip of death; our lives are in your keeping. In you alone, O God, we hope, and not in our own merit. We rest our fears in your good word; uphold our fainting spirit. Your promised mercy is my fort, my comfort, and my strong support; I wait for it with patience. My soul is waiting for you, Lord, as one who longs for morning; no watcher waits with greater hope than I for your returning. I hope as Israel in the Lord, who sends redemption through the Word. Praise God for grace and mercy!