Second Sunday in Lent - Online Worship - February 28, 2021

Today as we share our Lenten journey, we pray to be alive and anew thanks to God’s faithful purpose in grace alone, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Friends, God’s Word invites us, to call upon the Lord, for power and purpose, for grace and hope. From his temple, God hears our voices; our every cry reaches his ears. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to call on Christ alone, The Rock of our salvation.  (silence for reflection)  The Lord has reached down from the heavens and taken hold of us. Friends, take hold of the power and purpose of God’s grace alone in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. The Lord takes delight in us! Be still! We are alive and anew! The Holy One is here!

vs. 1
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The Holy One is here.
Come, bow before Him now,
With reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found,
We stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The Holy One is here.

The Lord lights my lamp, even when all else is so dark. Grace and hope are revealed in the faithfulness and saving purpose of The Lord’s grace alone in my life! Blessed be my Rock! Exalted be the God of my salvation! The Lord delivers me! I am forever calm! I can truly be still! The Lord is moving in this place!

vs. 3
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.
He comes to cleanse and heal,
To minister His grace.
No work too hard for Him,
In faith receive from Him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.

Almighty and loving God, you bless us, save us, and grace us, in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We give you thanks and praise; your call, calls each of us; your purpose, gives each of us purpose; your life, gives life, to each of us, one and all. By your Holy Spirit, increase our faith this Lenten season, to believe we are alive and anew in your grace alone. Like Peter, when we doubt you, when we question you, forgive us, restore us, stir us up, to surrender to you once again, to return to the Lord with all our heart. In Jesus’ name alone, we pray. Amen.

Then Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

GENESIS 17:1-7, 15-16; ROMANS 4:13-25; MARK 8:31-38

`Why am I here?’  `What is the meaning of life?’  `What is my purpose?’  If someone could find the simple answer to these questions that satisfied everyone, many books would be sold.  Questions like these can either wear us down, or drive us to dig deeper.  The findings we discover along our journey can do the same.  When it comes to our spiritual walk, these questions are often at the center of balancing faith and purpose.  `Why has God placed me here?’  `What is the meaning of my life in Christ?’  `What is God’s purpose for me?’  As we hear in Mark today, Jesus tells the disciples why he is here, what the meaning and purpose are for his suffering and death and resurrection.  Of course, Peter challenges the purpose.  Still looking for the answers?  A lot of Books have been sold - The #1 Bestseller of all time has the answer!  As our Lenten journey goes forward, let us seek and surrender to the purpose God has for us in our Savior, The One who came to fulfill God’s every purpose in grace alone!

1. Why am I here?  What is the meaning of life?  What is my purpose?  What is God calling me to do?  What is my mission?  Good questions.  Good questions to ask The Holy Spirit to answer in God’s grace alone.  Mark 8:31-33

A. Life’s events and life’s journey and our walk in The Spirit find us asking these questions.

B. No better person to ask, than Christ who has come to us, to fulfill God’s every purpose in God’s grace alone! 

2. Do you ever wonder what today is for, why God sent you?  Be alive and anew!  Trust The Spirit is ready, forever revealing, continuing to make known, and we will see our purpose, our meaning, our life, our answers are not in the human, but in the divine, in the grace alone of Jesus Christ!

A. It is only human to feel secure in the human.  Mark 8:33

B. The Spirit will come to us again and again to reveal our purpose, our mission, is to trust God’s purpose in grace alone:

i. To be part of the covenant; to be God’s.  Genesis 17:7

ii. To believe; we are God’s.  Romans 4:20-25

iii. To surrender; to let God be God.  Mark 8:34-38

3. Trust The Spirit is driving us to give God our very best!  As we share this Lenten season, be alive and anew, spring up, and trust Jesus’ purpose, Jesus’ mission, is to make clear God’s purpose, in grace alone! Trust “thy will,” God’s will and purpose, are complete for you in Jesus Christ, giving you purpose, revealing your true meaning, identity, and calling for a life time, for all eternity in grace alone!   Romans 4:13-16; Mark 8:31

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine forever.

vs. 2
Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth,
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

vs. 3
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me,
And on his shoulders gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

vs. 6
And so, through all the length of days,
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise,
Within thy house forever.

... as we pray to you, Jesus,

Renew us in the blessing and purpose of your grace alone.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Again after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

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.

Friends, return to The Lord your God with all your heart; be alive and anew in God’s grace alone! 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 his peace. In the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

vs. 1
How lovely is
Your dwelling place,
O Lord almighty
My soul doth long
And even faints for You
For here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath
The shadow of Your wings

refrain:
Better is one day in Your courts,
Better is one day in Your house,
Better is one day in Your courts,
Than thousands elsewhere 
Better is one day in Your courts,
Better is one day in Your house,
Better is one day in Your courts,
Than thousands elsewhere.

Than thousands elsewhere.

vs. 1
Great is Your faithfulness, oh God.
You wrestle with the sinner’s restless heart.
You lead us by still waters into mercy, 
And nothing can keep us apart.
So remember Your people,
Remember Your children,
Remember your promise, oh God.

refrain 1:
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough for me.
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough, 
Your grace is enough for me.

bridge:
So remember Your people,
Remember Your children,
Remember your promise, oh God.

refrain 2:
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough, 
Your grace is enough for me.
Your grace is enough,
Heaven reaches out to us.
Your grace is enough for me.
God I see Your grace is enough;
I’m covered in Your love,
Your grace is enough for me, for me. 

Liking posts like this one helps get the word out about Lord of Life! Consider sharing posts like this with friends who may be missing their faith-based communities. Leave a comment and let us know what you liked or what moved you this week!

Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Join us next Sunday, March 7, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Third Sunday In Lent, “Truth In Grace Alone!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on our Facebook page, under “videos.”

Throughout the Lenten season, midweek Lenten services will be on our Facebook page under “videos;” with services accessible beginning each Wednesday morning. Bulletins for midweek services are available via daily devotions and on our Facebook page. If helpful, you can access the bulletins and our Facebook page on our website (lordoflifemn.org).

Join us for our Annual Meeting TODAY (Sunday, February 28) at 10:15 a.m.!

You can join us in person or via Zoom. Meeting ID: 661 543 1177  Passcode: 16200
You can begin joining us via Zoom at 10:05 a.m. 50 members are needed for a quorum.

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany of Renewed In Purpose and Grace Alone In Jesus Christ, written based on Psalm 18. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Children of the Heavenly Father” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #98028 “Shout to the Lord” © 1993 Wondrous Worship CCLI #1406918 “Blessed Assurance” Words & Music Public Domain, CCLI #22324 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #18723 “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music CCLI# 120824 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Words and Music Public Domain “Better Is One Day” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1097451 “Your Grace Is Enough” © 2003 Thankyou Music CCLI #4477026 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.