Third Sunday in Lent - Online Worship - March 7, 2021

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

Amen. 

People of God: The law of the Lord is perfect. He revives and saves the soul. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we fail to take hold of all Jesus provides in truth and grace.  (silence for reflection)  Dear friends: The commandments of the Lord are clear, yet, he fills us with plenty abundance. Today return to the Lord with all your heart; be alive and anew in God’s truth and grace alone in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Thanks be to you, God, for your Holy Spirit is forever welcome here!

There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close.
No thing can compare;
You’re our living hope.
Your Presence, Lord.

Holy Spirit,
You are welcome here;
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere;
Your glory, God,
Is what our hearts long for,
To be overcome
By Your presence, Lord.
Your presence, Lord

People of faith: The heavens are telling the glory of God. Everything proclaims his handiwork through all the earth. Take hold of these real truths: God’s grace is abundant; you are alive and anew; you are in the Lord’s presence, who floods our atmosphere!

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves,
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone,
In Your Presence, Lord.

Holy Spirit,
You are welcome here;
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere;
Your glory, God,
Is what our hearts long for,
To be overcome
By Your presence, Lord.
Your presence, Lord

Almighty and loving God, by your abundant grace, you sent Jesus to break into our world through his life, death and resurrection. Today we give you thanks and praise; your truth and grace will never crumble; your foundation will never be destroyed; your Kingdom has been established forever. By your Holy Spirit, you are so welcome here; increase our faith this Lenten season, to believe we are alive and anew, to build on your truth and grace alone. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it had been written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 

(New Revised Standard Version)

EXODUS 20:1-17; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25; JOHN 2:13-22

Have you ever tried to build a house of cards?  It’s fun for a while.  It looks kind of neat.  It soon crumbles.  You might get it to last for a little while, but it is a lot of work, and there is little confidence it will last long.  What are you building on in your life?  Does it look good?  Will it stand firm?  Is it worth the effort?  Are you confident it will last?  Or will it crumble?  Our spiritual life, our life as a whole, needs a firm foundation in the truth.  In our own day to day walk, we need to know what we are building on will not crumble.  Jesus in the Gospel today tells those questioning his authority, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”  As we continue our Lenten journey, let us build on what will stand up, what will not crumble, what has been established for all eternity; let us build on the truth of God’s grace in Christ alone!

1. What foundation, what truth, do you need to stand firm in your life?  John 2:19

A. Is your foundation, is your truth, one you trust or are you afraid it will crumble?  What is the foundation you hope, you need, to stand firm?  John 2:13-16

B. Is the foundation of your life, the same as the foundation and truth you trust in your spiritual life?  Can we afford for them to be different?
Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:23

C. In Christ alone, let us build on this truth and foundation, let us trust Christ alone who stands firm, when all else crumbles.  Even when our faithfulness crumbles, the foundation God establishes in Jesus will stand forever!  John 2:22

2. What foundation and truth are you building on in your life?  In your faith?  Let us be reassured as we build on Christ alone!  John 2:19

A. Are you able to build on your foundation of faith in Christ alone?  To make it stronger, bigger, greater? 1 Corinthians 1:25

B. Do you trust the truth of God’s grace in Christ alone for you, the truth God is building you up, building on you? 1 Corinthians 1:18

C. Trust this truth in Christ alone: All that God builds will never crumble.  John 2:22

3. Even now, especially now, stand firm and build on Truth in Christ alone, as the foundation God established long ago.  God in Christ alone is faithful.  Grace in the truth of Christ alone will never be destroyed.  In Christ alone, you will stand firm and never crumble.  Build on Christ alone, stand firm!  Exodus 20:1; 1 Corinthians 1:23; John 2:19

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
My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

refrain:
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

vs. 4
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found, 
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!

(refrain)

... as we pray to you, Jesus,

Renew us in the blessing and truth 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
Amazing grace,
How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost,
But now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

vs. 2
‘Twas grace that taught
My heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did
That grace appear,
The hour I first believed!

refrain:
My chains are gone,
I’ve been set free.
My God, my Savior
Has ransomed me.
And like a flood,
His mercy rains
Unending love,
Amazing grace.

vs. 3
The Lord has promised
Good to me;
His Word my hope secures.
He will
My shield
And portion be,
As long as life endures.

(refrain twice)

vs. 4
The earth shall soon
Dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine.
But God,
Who called
Me here below,
Will be forever mine,
Will be forever mine.

You are forever mine.

Everyone needs compassion,
A love that’s never failing.
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Savior,
The hope of nations.

refrain:
Savior, He can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save.
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave.
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures;
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in.
Now, I surrender.
Yes, I surrender.

(refrain)

Shine your light
And let the whole world see,
We’re singing for the glory
Of the risen King.
Jesus, Shine your light
And let the whole world see,
We’re singing for the glory
Of the risen King.

(refrain)

You’re my Savior;
You can move the mountains.
God, You are mighty to save.
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave.
Yes, You conquered the grave.
You are mighty to save.

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 14, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Fourth Sunday In Lent, “Believe 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).

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 Renewal In Truth and Grace Alone In Jesus Christ, written based on Psalm 19. “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. “I Come to the Cross” © 1996 Meadowgreen Music Co. CCLI #1965249 “Deliver Us, O Lord of Truth” © 1997 GIA Publications, Inc. OL #08913 “Holy Spirit” © 2011 Jesus Culture, CCLI #6087919 “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” © 1982 The Jubilate Group CCLI #2836463 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” © 2006 sixsteps Music CCLI # 4768151 “Mighty to Save” © 2006 Hillsong Publishing CCLI # 4591782 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.