Third Sunday in Advent - Online Worship - March 20, 2022

 

Due to a volunteer shortage during Spring Break, we will not be able to live stream our service this Sunday.

Please join us in-person at 9:30 at Lord of Life in Lakeville if you are able to join us!

 

Today as we share our Lenten journey we pray our hope is renewed in the heart and overflowing grace of Christ alone, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. O Lord, we desire you and your ways more than gold, more than honey in the morning. Your overflowing mercy comes to us that while we might be warned, our reward would be great. Free us now, clear us, of our faults and distractions.

People of God: The law of the Lord is perfect. He alone revives and saves the soul. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we fail to trust the overflowing grace and mercy in Christ alone.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: The commandments of the Lord are clear, yet even now, he fills us to overflowing. Return to the Lord with all your heart, receive the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Fear not, our foundation in faith will never be destroyed!

“Fear not for I am with you
Fear not for I am with you
Fear not for I am with you”
Says the Lord

(repeat)

People of Faith: Return to the Lord with all your heart. Rejoice! In the Spirit, the words of your mouth, and the meditation of your heart bless you to overflowing. The heavens tell the glory of our Rock and our Redeemer. Everything proclaims his handiwork! The One who keeps his heart on us; stands firm. Fear not; God’s grace is overflowing!

“Fear not for I am with you
Fear not for I am with you
Fear not for I am with you”
Says the Lord

(repeat)

 

Almighty and loving God, by your overflowing heart of grace, you sent Jesus. You broke into our troubled world through your life, death and resurrection. During our Lenten journey, keep our hearts on you. In a world where we long for more and more, yet where so much quickly crumbles or is easily destroyed, by your Spirit, we fear not, and we see all you provide overflows, for in Christ alone, we have more than enough: enough forgiveness, enough repentance, enough time, enough fruit, enough grace, enough salvation. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

 

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

(New Revised Standard Version)

 

refrain:
There is none like You
No one else can touch my
Heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find
There is none like You

(repeat)

vs 1
Your mercy flows
Like a river wide
And healing comes from Your hands
Suffering children
Are safe in Your arms
There is none like You

(refrain)

 

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them – do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See, here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

(New Revised Standard Version)

 

I love the Lord because he has heard my voice 
and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me,
Therefore, I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me;
The pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I beseech thee, save my life!”
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple; 
When I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest;
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death, 
My eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
I walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”;
Even when I said in fear, “No one can be trusted.” Amen.

 
 

ISAIAH 55:1-9; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-13; LUKE 13:1-9

Do you have what you are looking for out of life?  In life?  What is missing?  What feels empty?  We know we are blessed by God.  It is more difficult to feel it.  Where is God?  Where are these blessings of God’s grace?  Where will we find more of what our hearts still long for?  Today we are reminded our hearts overflow in God’s goodness.  Isaiah tells us `if we are thirsty, come; if we have no money, come; God will overflow us, with pardon and mercy.'  What more could we want?  Paul tells us, `God is faithful, when we are tested, God will overflow us with strength; God will provide.'  Will it be enough?  Jesus reminds us, God's grace is overflowing - abundant in repentance and forgiveness.  Jesus may ask, `Where is the overflowing fruit of all this mercy and grace?'  Are you still looking for more out of life, your spiritual life?  Hold fast; trust anew The One who keeps his heart on you!  God’s grace is overflowing!

1. In a world that invites us to ask for and to get all we can, let us believe and live, trusting God’s grace fills our hearts to overflowing!

A. In the midst of plenty of `sin’ and `sins,’ God’s grace blesses us and keeps our hearts on his heart, overflowing with forgiveness.
Isaiah 55:7; 1 Corinthians 10:5-12; Luke 13:2-5

B. God’s grace blesses us, and keeps our hearts on his heart, overflowing with repentance.
Isaiah 55:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 13:3,5

i. Confession and forgiveness are gifts of grace.

ii. Repentance is God’s grace turning our hearts around.

C. God’s abundant grace blesses us and keeps our heart on his heart, calling us to bear fruit to overflowing.
Isaiah 55:4; Luke 13:6-9

i. How is God’s grace calling you to produce fruit?
ii. Trust God’s grace is overflowing, abundantly working through you, to produce fruit again and again.

D. God’s abundant grace blesses us and keeps our hearts on his heart, overflowing with time, God’s perfect timing.
Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 13:7-9

i. Lent is God’s gift of time.
ii. God can do so much in so little time.  Forever remember all God did years ago in just three days!

E. God’s abundant faithfulness, blesses us and keeps our hearts on his heart, overflowing with grace, grace upon grace.
Isaiah 55:3,9; 1 Corinthians 10:4,13; Luke 13:8-9

i. If you are one who likes to look for more and more, look first to The One who keeps his heart on you, keeping your heart on his heart, first!

ii. God sends us Jesus, and Jesus’ heart is overflowing!

2. God’s grace keeps our hearts on his heart, overflowing with grace and hope; in the midst of sin, in the midst of day to day worry, in the midst of human emptiness, longings, and callings.  It is only human we would want more.  If you are wondering where all this grace is, if God's grace will ever be enough, keep your heart on The One who keeps his heart on you, and be filled to overflowing in Christ alone!

 

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.

 

Blessed assurance
Jesus is mine
Oh what a foretaste
Of glory divine
Heir of salvation
Purchase of God
Born of his Spirit
Washed in his blood

refrain:
This is my story
This is my song
Praising my Savior
All the day long
This is my story
This is my song
Praising my Savior
All the day long

Perfect submission
All is at rest
I in my Savior
Am happy and blest
Watching and waiting
Looking above
Filled with his goodness
Lost in his love

(refrain)

 

(Including sung response, “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” by Olson)

As God’s people, gifted to trust and to call on God’s peace and grace in Jesus Christ, let us pray for the needs of all God’s people.

... as we pray to you, Jesus,

Lord
Listen to your children praying
Lord
Send your Spirit in this place
Lord
Listen to your children praying
Send us love
Send us power
Send us grace


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.

In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” 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.”

 

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.

 

You were the Word
At the beginning 
One with God
The Lord Most High
Your hidden glory
In creation
Now revealed in
You our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You didn’t want heaven
Without us 
So Jesus You brought
Heaven down
My sin was great
Your love was greater
What could separate us now

What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of
Sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever
God You reign
Yours is the Kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name
Above all names

What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

 

The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace this day, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving, and to conform our hearts, and our lives to his, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.

Friends, return to The Lord your God with all your heart; trust anew The One who keeps his heart on you! 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
You are not alone
If you are lonely
When you feel afraid
You’re not the only
We are all the same
In need of mercy
To be forgiven and be free
It’s all you got to lean on
But thank God it’s all you need

refrain:
And all the people said “Amen”
Oh
And all the people said “Amen”
Give thanks to the Lord
For His love never ends
And all the people said “Amen”

vs 2
If you’re rich or poor
Well it don’t matter
Weak or strong
You know love is what we’re after
We’re all broken
But we’re all in this together
God knows we stumble and fall
And He so loved the world
He sent His Son
To save us all

(refrain)

bridge:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Who are torn apart
Blessed are the persecuted
And the pure in heart
Blessed are the people hungry
For another start
For theirs is the kingdom
The kingdom of God

(refrain twice)

And all the people said “Amen”

 

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Today we celebrate and share, The Third Sunday In Lent, “Overflowing Hearts, In Christ Alone!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets today! Join us during Lent as we share and provide our Lenten Midweek Worship each Wednesday on Facebook!

Join us next Sunday, March 27, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Fourth Sunday In Lent, “Compassionate Hearts, In Christ Alone!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on Facebook!

As we continue share worship in this way, we are seeking more 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 Trusting The Overflowing Heart & Grace In Christ Alone, written based on Psalm 19. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying,” 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. “Fear Not” © 1984 C3 Music Publishing CCLI #13508  “There Is None Like You” © 1991 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI #674545 “What a Beautiful Name” © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI #1380826 “All The People Said Amen” © 2013 Universal Music CCLI #6518275 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.