Fourth Sunday in Advent - Online Worship - March 27, 2022
Join us in-person or on facebook for Lord of Life LIVE this Sunday at 9:30am!
Today as we share our Lenten journey we pray our hope is renewed in the compassionate heart and grace of Christ alone, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. My glory is in the compassion of The Lord. He protects me. When I was brought low, he saved me. My soul rests in The Lord.
Friends in Christ: Love the Lord; he hears your voice when you cry out to him. He inclines his ear to hear you, call on him as long as you live. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have not trusted the compassionate heart of Christ alone.
(silence for reflection)
Friends, The Lord is our salvation, we are precious in his sight. Today, live anew in the compassion of The Father’s amazing grace; for Jesus saves, and Jesus forgives you all your sins. Trust anew the One who forever purifies your heart!
Purify my heart
Touch me with Your cleansing fire
Take me to the cross
Your holiness is my desire
Breathe Your life in me
Kindle a love that flows from Your throne
Oh purify my heart
Purify my heart
People of faith: Gracious is The Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I wandered off, when I was brought low, he saved me. Trust anew the One who keeps our hearts on him. In compassion, The Lord delivered your soul from death, your eyes from tears, your feet from stumbling. Live anew in the One who faithfully keeps his heart on you, and purifies your heart once again!
Purify my heart
Touch me with Your cleansing fire
Take me to the cross
Your holiness is my desire
Breathe Your life in me
Kindle a love that flows from Your throne
Oh purify my heart
Purify my heart
Almighty and loving God, thanks to the compassion of your heart, you broke into our troubled world through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. During our Lenten journey, keep our hearts on you. Thanks to your amazing grace, we believe in Christ alone, trusting you are our compassionate Father, even when we are wrong, you see us from a distance, you run to us, you wrap your arms around us, you welcome us home. In the grace of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(New Revised Standard Version)
vs 1
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above
Of Jesus and his glory
Of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
Because I know it’s true
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else would do
refrain:
I love to tell the story
I’ll sing this theme in glory
And tell the old old story
Of Jesus and his love
vs 2
I love to tell the story
How pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it
More wonderfully sweet
I love to tell the story
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word
(refrain)
vs 3
I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new new song
I’ll sing the old old story
That I have loved so long
(refrain)
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “this fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout the country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one – and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
(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.
JOSHUA 5:9-12; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21; LUKE 15:1-3, 11B-32
How would you define `compassion’? When was the last time, you felt, the true compassion of another? When have you longed to feel the compassion of another, only to be left feeling empty? In your spiritual walk, are you able to trust The One who keeps his heart on you, fills you with compassion, and is driven by grace to have you feel the compassion of his heart alone? Today, as we share the parable commonly referred to as the prodigal son, we see the truth and joy and hope of the loving Father, we feel the compassion of our Father’s heart! The Father proclaims for us, too, grace is real, really here for all of us; compassion is ours through God’s love for us in Christ alone! In our loving Father, we are blessed to live each and every day, refreshed and renewed, alive and found, in our Father’s compassion, in our Father’s amazing grace!
1. Our Father’s heart is compassionate, seeing us from a distance, running to us, taking us in his arms, welcoming us home.
Luke 15:11b-32
A. Our Father’s heart is compassionate, seeing us, even from a distance.
Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18
i. A good parent keeps his or her eye on their children.
ii. Our heavenly Father never takes his eyes off of us; he forever keeps his heart on us!
a. Yes, he sees it all.
b. In compassion and grace, he sees it all and is here for us, keeping his heart on us!
B. Our Father’s heart is compassionate, even when we are wrong.
Joshua 5:11-12
i. Easy to often jump right to discipline.
ii. Our heavenly Father starts with compassion, loving and caring for us first.
C. Our Father’s heart is compassionate; he runs to us.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
i. Our heavenly Father does not hesitate to come to us.
ii. Our heavenly Father does not wait for us to come to him.
D. Our Father’s heart is compassionate; he takes us in his arms.
2 Corinthians 5:18
i. For some, letting someone hold them may take some getting use to and some trust.
ii. Our heavenly Father takes in his arms what matters most.
E. Our Father’s heart is compassionate; he welcomes us home.
Joshua 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:20
i. To know you are not welcome is painful. To know you can come in but you do not belong is an empty feeling.
ii. No matter how long you have been gone, or how new you are; to feel the gracious, authentic, word of `welcome’ is fulfilling.
iii. Our heavenly Father celebrates and rejoices every time we see The Spirit reveal there is no place like home.
2. As our Lenten journey continues, let us trust The One who keeps his heart on us, even from a distance, sees us, has compassion on us, runs to us, takes us in his arms, welcomes us and saves us! Thanks to the compassionate heart of our Father, we were lost and now are found, in the amazing grace of Christ alone!
Luke 15:32
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.
Ev’ry promise we can make
Ev’ry prayer and step of faith
Ev’ry diff’rence we will make
Is only by His grace
Ev’ry mountain we will climb
Ev’ry ray of hope we shine
Ev’ry blessing left behind
Is only by His grace
Grace alone
Which God supplies
Strength unknown
He will provide
Christ in us
Our Cornerstone
We will go forth
In grace alone
We will go forth
In grace alone
(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,
The Spirit
Intercedes for us
With sighs too deep
For words to express
Oh oh oh
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.
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
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.
Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good
He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise
Sing praise
With a mighty hand
And outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life
That’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise
refrain:
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
From the rising to
The setting sun
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise
Sing praise
(refrain)
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Today we celebrate and share, The Fourth Sunday In Lent, “Compassionate 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, April 3, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Fifth Sunday In Lent, “Driven 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 Compassionate Heart & Grace In Christ Alone, written based on Psalm 19. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” “I Love To Tell The Story,” Public Domain and 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. “Purify My Heart” © 1993 Maranatha Praise, Inc. CCLI #1314323 “Grace Alone” © 1998 Maranatha! Music, CCLI #2335524 “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” © 1989 Dakota Road Music, OL #62627 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” © 2006 sixsteps Music CCLI # 4768151 “Forever” © 2001 worshiptogether.com Songs CCLI #3148428 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.
