“The People of Christ Sharing the Love of Christ” Christ Lutheran Church 300 East Monroe Street Austin, Texas 78704 (512) 442-5844 Website: www.christaustin.org Rev. John C. Stennfeld, Pastor COMMUNION ANNOUNCEMENT Here at Christ Lutheran Church we believe, teach and confess that Jesus Christ is the only Savior from sin, and that He alone is the way to eternal life. We believe, teach, and confess that in the Sacrament of Holy Communion the true body and blood of Jesus Christ is received along with the elements of bread and wine, and that the reception of this gift in faith is a means through which God Himself forgives our sins, strengthens us in faith, and unites us as His children. If your own personal beliefs are in complete harmony with these Biblical truths, if you are a baptized Christian who has been instructed in these Lutheran confessions, if you recognize the reality of sin in your life and desire to receive God’s forgiveness, and if you acknowledge that receiving Holy Communion at our table expresses an implied unity with us in the body of Christ you are welcome to join us at the table of our Lord. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Christ Lutheran Church is to connect people to Jesus through: ● Inspirational worship ● Loving service ● Caring fellowship ● Relevant education so that they may know, and grow in, his love. - 1 - FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT March 21, 2021 AS WE GATHER The Israelites repeatedly had broken the covenants God made with them, and yet in today’s Old Testament Reading He promises a new covenant. This one, however, will not be based on the external Law of God; by pure grace, it will be written on the hearts of God’s people. To do that, God sent His Son, who paid for all sin by offering Himself as both priest and sacrifice. Although we are all imperfect, knowing that we have been forgiven only by the grace of God, we have the desire to love one another. As we recall our Lord’s Passion in the coming weeks, we will recognize that love means forgiving, giving oneself for others. Jesus puts it bluntly in the Gospel: The greatest in the kingdom of God is the one who serves all the others. And, of course, the greatest is our Lord Jesus, who loves us to death. PRE-SERVICE MUSIC “Nothing But the Blood” H.I.S. Band What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Refrain: Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. For my pardon this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; (Refrain) - 2 - Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; (Refrain) Refrain: Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. This all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; (Refrain) "Nothing But The Blood (Plainfield)" Words and music by Robert Lowry Words and music: Public domain. (Please rise) INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. OPENING SENTENCES Jeremiah 31:31, 33; Mark 10:43–44 Pastor: The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant. People: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. Pastor: And I will be their God, People: and they shall be My people. Pastor: Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, People: and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 5:9 Pastor: Bearing our sins and in need of a Savior, let us go to our heavenly Father, asking for forgiveness. Time for reflection on the word of God and for personal examination. - 3 - Pastor: Most merciful, heavenly Father, You promised a covenant written on Your people’s hearts. People: But we do not always rely on Your promises and great love. We are sorry. Pastor: Gracious Holy Spirit, through Your use of Word and Sacrament, many people know the Lord. People: But we have not taken advantage of every opportunity to share Your Word with others. We are sorry. Pastor: Jesus taught that the greatest in the Kingdom is the servant of all. People: But our hearts have not always been humble and eager for service. We are sorry. Our thoughts, words, and deeds fall short. As fallen sinners, we are helpless to change. For Jesus’ sake, forgive us, and give us new and clean hearts to love You and serve our neighbors. Pastor: God promised in the new covenant, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” In the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus, being perfect, “became the source of eternal salvation.” 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. People: Amen. VERSE “God is Good” H.I.S. Band God is good All the time Fills my heart And my mind With His love Ev’ry day God is good In ev’ry way. "God is Good" words and music by Don Moen, Paul Overstreet © Words and music: 1995 Integrity's Hosanna! Music, Scarlet Moon Music, Inc. Used by Permission. CCLI License #769388 SALUTATION Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. - 4 - PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, who has revealed to us Your great love in Christ our Savior and written Your covenant on our hearts, People: grant us such faith that our daily joy is in sharing Your love in what we think, say, and do; Pastor: through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. (Please be seated) OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 31:31–34 (A new covenant is coming, written on people’s hearts.) EPISTLE Hebrews 5:1–10 (Jesus was both one-time priest and sacrifice, dying for all.) HYMN “I Lay My Sins on Jesus” LSB #606 I lay my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all and frees us From the accursed load. I bring my guilt to Jesus To wash my crimson stains Clean in His blood most precious Till not a spot remains. I lay my wants on Jesus; All fullness dwells in Him; He heals all my diseases; My soul He does redeem. I lay my griefs on Jesus, My burdens and my cares; He from them all releases; He all my sorrows shares. I rest my soul on Jesus, This weary soul of mine; His right hand me embraces; - 5 - I on His breast recline. I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord; Like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured. "I Lay My Sins on Jesus" Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808-89 Tune: Neu-vermehrtes . Gesangbuch, 3rd ed., Meinigen, 1693; setting: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-47 Text and music: Public domain (Please rise) HOLY GOSPEL Mark 10:32–45 (Jesus teaches about true greatness.) CREED Nicene Creed People: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, - 6 - who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. (Please be seated) HYMN “Remember Not My Sins, O God” By Rev. John C. Stennfeld Text: Jeremiah 31-31-34 Tune: St. Flavian Remember not my sins, O God, Nor all my errant ways, But for the sake of Thine own son Forgive me all my days. Forgive my wickedness, O Lord, And wash me of my sin; Yes, for the sake of Jesus’ death Make my heart clean within. Oh write upon my heart your law, And place it in my mind, That only you, O God, I’ll seek, And you alone I’ll find.