Sunday, March 7, 2021 Third Sunday in Lent Holy Communion

March 7, 2021● 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Service

WELCOME TO EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH INTRODUCTION The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods. The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call: centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.

PRELUDE The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (Psalm XIX) Marcello

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRINITARIAN CHIMES

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. CALL TO WORSHIP

Currently there is NO CONGREGATIONAL SINGING. Please silently meditate upon the words to this song.

The assembly is seated.

GATHERING SONG Lift High the Cross (Verses 1, 2) ELW 660 Sung at Emmanuel’s February 25, 2018, worship service

GREETING The grace of Jesus Christ, the mercy of the Holy One, and the Spirit of the living God be with you all. And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Holy God, through your Son you have called us to live faithfully and act courageously. Keep us steadfast in your covenant of grace, and teach us the wisdom that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING: Exodus 20:1-17 After escaping from slavery, the Israelites come to Mount Sinai, where God teaches them how to live in community. The Ten Commandments proclaim that God alone is worthy of worship. Flowing from God, the life of the community flourishes when based on honesty, trust, fidelity, and respect for life, family, and property.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 The word of the cross is pure foolishness and nonsense to the world because it claims that God is mostly revealed in weakness, humiliation, and death. But through such divine foolishness and weakness, God is working to save us. The center of Paul’s preaching is Christ crucified.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The assembly stands to welcome the gospel. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION We proclaim Christ | crucified,* the power of God and the wis- | dom of God. (1 Cor. 1:23, 24)

GOSPEL: John 2:13-22

Jesus attacks the commercialization of religion by driving merchants out of the temple. When challenged, he responds mysteriously, with the first prediction of his own death and resurrection. In the midst of a seemingly stable religious center, Jesus suggests that the center itself has changed. The holy gospel according to John, the second chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

The assembly is seated. ~ 2 ~ SERMON Resident Pastor Lois Sorensen A time of silent reflection follows the sermon.

Currently there is NO CONGREGATIONAL SINGING. Please silently meditate upon the words to this song.

The assembly is seated.

HYMN OF THE DAY In the Cross of Christ I Glory ELW 324 Sung at Emmanuel’s worship service, Feb. 25, 2018

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 Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.* 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.

*Or, "he descended into hell," another translation of this text in widespread use.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

~ 3 ~ PEACE

The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace, and may say, "Peace be with you," or similar words.

OFFERING

An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set.

Currently there is NO CONGREGATIONAL SINGING. Please silently meditate upon the words to this song.

The assembly is seated.

OFFERTORY Lenten Meditation Althouse Pat and Paul Guehler, duettists. Pat and Paul are members of the Emmanuel Choir.

OFFERING PRAYER FOR LENT

Let us meditate in prayer as we hear the words of this hymn from Psalm 51:

Create in Me a Clean Heart (from Psalm 51) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE 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 our thanks and praise.

~ 4 ~ PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

HOLY Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus Christ is the host of this Holy Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Communion, in which we celebrate the Real Presence of Our Lord among us. THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Jesus' presence is in the sanctuary. Jesus’ presence is also real in your In the night in which he was betrayed, home. Please have bread and wine our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; available and ready (or juice). All the baptized are welcome to participate broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: this morning in their homes during the Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. livestream worship. Follow the Do this for the remembrance of me. presiding pastor for instructions.

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 for the remembrance of me.

~ 5 ~ THE LORD’S PRAYER 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 Jesus draws the whole world to himself. Come to this meal and be fed.

COMMUNION When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers and those at home say The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you, and each person may respond, Amen.

(Parents are encouraged to bless their children at this time. Follow the instructions from the Presiding Minister).

The assembly stands. POST-COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray. God of steadfast love, at this table you gather your people into one body for the sake of the world. Send us in the power of your Spirit, that our lives bear witness to the love that has made us new in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

~ 6 ~ BLESSING You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor. God bless you ☩ that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity. Amen.

Currently there is NO CONGREGATIONAL SINGING. Please silently meditate upon the words to this song.

The assembly is seated.

SENDING HYMN Lift High the Cross (Verses 3, 4) ELW 660 Sung at Emmanuel’s February 25, 2018, worship service

DISMISSAL Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

The ushers will dismiss the congregation by rows. Please wait until the usher directs you to exit.

POSTLUDE The God of Abraham Praise Lynn/arr.Curry

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.

Lift High the Cross. Kitchin/Newbolt/Nicholson. Text and music c. 1974, Hope Publishing Company. Used with permission,.One License # A-702137.

Lenten Meditation, Jay Althouse. Used with permission, from One License # A-702137

Bless the Lord, My Soul. Taizé. Used with permission, from One License # A-702137

Permission to podcast/stream some of the music in this service obtained from One License with license # A-702137 and CCLI #1183456

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