The First Sunday in Lent – February 18, 2024 – Power In Grace Alone

Lord of Life LIVE - The First Sunday in Lent

Upcoming Events

Sunday Worship - The Second Sunday in Lent
”Purpose In Grace Alone”
Sunday, February 25, 2024, 9:30am
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
Faith Quest meets during worship!

Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 25, 2024, after worship
Join us in person or on ZOOM!
Links for Zoom meeting to be posted Sunday Morning

All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.

Litany Renewed in Power and Grace Alone in Jesus Christ

based on Psalm 22

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

Amen. O Lord, in the midst of the congregation, I praise your name. You have delivered my soul. Yet even now, as I come to you, Jesus, I see you are the one who comes so quickly to my aid.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, for we come, just as we are.

Amen.

Song Anew in Grace

Just as I Am

Elliot & Bradbury

vs. 1
Just as I am
Without one plea 
But that thy blood
Was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me
Come to thee
O Lamb of God I come
I come

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(silence for reflection)

Most merciful God, ...

We confess that we are bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, for we know not all we do. Save us and renew us, in God’s grace alone.

In the mercy and grace of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you. Jesus saves, and for his sake, God forgives you all your sins, just as you are. Hear again the simple power of these words: To those who believe in the grace of Jesus Christ alone, he gives power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Song of Renewal in Grace

Just as I Am

Elliot & Bradbury

 vs. 5
Just as I am
Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome pardon
Cleanse relieve
Because thy promise
I believe
O Lamb of God I come
I come

The Lord has named me and claimed me, just as I am. I am his child born again through Holy Baptism. The Father forgives me, even though I know not all I do. Jesus keeps coming to me. I watch for him. He is very close to me. This is his holy covenant.

People of God: Trust the Lord will not hide his face from you. In grace you are alive and anew. Return to the Lord with all your heart, then go in the grace and power of Jesus’ every word, just as you are.

Song of Renewal in Grace

Just as I Am

Elliot & Bradbury

vs. 6
Just as I am
Thy love unknown
Has broken ev’ry
Barrier down
Now to be thine
Yea thine alone
O Lamb of God I come
I come

Almighty and loving God, the battle between good and evil rages within and around our lives. Satan is real, and we are tempted often with deceit and empty promises. Give us the simple power of your Word and grace alone during this Lenten season, to come just as we are, to worship you alone, to believe we are alive and anew. When we do fall, save us once again, forgive us, raise us up, to return to the Lord with all our heart. In the grace of Jesus’ name alone, we pray. Amen.

Children are invited to return to their seats with their loved ones and friends.

Faith Quest does not meet this week due to the holiday weekend.

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 2:8–17

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

New Testament Lesson

1 Peter 3:18–22

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you – not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Song of Hope & Grace Anew

O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days

Hernaman & Doan

vs. 1
O Lord throughout these forty days
You prayed and kept the fast
Inspire repentance for our sin
And free us from our past

vs. 2
You strove with Satan and you won
Your faithfulness endured 
Lend us your nerve your skill and trust
In God’s eternal Word

vs. 4
Be with us through this season Lord
And all our earthly days
That when the final Easter dawns
We join in heaven’s praise

Gospel

Matthew 1:9–15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

based on Psalm 116:1-11

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.

Power in Grace Alone!

GENESIS 9:8-17; 1 PETER 3:18-22; MARK 1:9-15

Power.  Where do you go to find it?  How do you come upon it?  What part of your life and spirit need it the most?  Power, like other things, is taken for granted until there is a shortage.  We may not think too much about where we get power in our life and spirit until we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis, looking desperately for more power before we run out.  In Mark’s Gospel today, a lot is going on.  Jesus is baptized, driven out into the wilderness to beat Satan, the angels wait on him.  John is arrested.  Jesus announces `the kingdom of God has come near, repent, believe the good news.'  As our Lenten journey continues, let us return to The One who gives us all the power we will ever need, let us trust in the grace of Christ, for we stand, we live, in the power of God’s grace alone!

1. Do you ever feel yourself running out of power?  What robs you of power in your spiritual life?  What steals power from your spirit?

A. How do you trust the power of God’s grace alone will beat Satan and the wilderness?
Mark 1:12-13

i. The wilderness in its many forms is real; it all takes so much energy from who we are and our spirit.

ii. Satan is real and can have real power over us as well.  Satan works hardest on those who try to make God and neighbors first.

B. How do you trust power in grace alone to repent?
Mark 1:15

i. Confessing our sins, saying we are sorry, asking for forgiveness takes energy.

ii. Repenting, turning away from what we want more than God takes real power.

C.       How do you trust power in grace alone to believe?
Mark 1:14-15

i. Believing when believing seems impossible can wear out our spirits.  The uncertainties of the world, wear us down.  We question how much about God is certain.

ii. Do not beat yourself up over this.  Some of the greatest believers got tired, too.  Noah, Moses, David, Peter.

2. Trust and return to the Lord with all your heart!  In God’s grace alone, you have power, power in your spiritual life, power in The Spirit!

A. The season of Lent can give us power for a new beginning.

B. Repentance gives us power to give us more power.  As we turn away from what leads us away from Christ, we will have more of Christ, and more power in God’s grace alone.
Mark 1:15

C. Covenants give us power - we do not need to do it ourselves.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Mark 1:12-13

i. Receive power in grace alone, in the covenant you have with your God.  We have God, each other, the body of Christ.

ii. God's covenant is forever.  God keeps his half of the covenant, even when we do not, in grace alone.
Genesis 9:8-17

D. Baptism gives us power.  Let us return to the One who comes to us forever in Water and Word.
1 Peter 3:18-21; Mark 1:9-11,13

i. Jesus is baptized and then driven out into the wilderness.

ii. Where would we be in the wilderness, if not baptized?

3. Mark 1:14-15 - Celebrate and trust your power in God’s grace alone! The kingdom of God has come near. Believe the good news. The power God gives in Lent, repentance, the covenant, baptism, the cross, and the tomb are more than enough, in God’s grace 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.

Song Anew In Spirit & Grace

Grace Alone

Nelson & Brown

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

... 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 during our service. 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.

For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.

We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.

The Words of Institution

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.

Songs During Holy Communion

Be Not Afraid

Dufford

vs. 1
You shall cross the barren desert
But you shall not die of thirst
You shall wander far in safety
Though you do not know the way
You shall speak your words in foreign lands
And all will understand
You shall see the face of God and live

refrain:
Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come follow me
And I will give you rest

vs. 2
If you pass through raging waters
In the sea you shall not drown
If you walk amid the burning flames
You shall not be harmed
If you stand before the pow’r of hell
And death is at your side 
Know that I am with you
Through it all

(refrain)

vs. 3
Blessed are your poor
For the kingdom shall be theirs
Blest are you that weep and mourn
For one day you shall laugh
And if wicked men insult and hate you
All because of me
Blessed
Blessed are you

(refrain)

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, in the grace of Jesus Christ alone, the Lord of life. 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.

Going Anew in Grace Alone

Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down

Capers

Satan we’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down
Satan we’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building your kingdom
All over this world
Satan we’re gonna tear
Your kingdom down

Satan we’re gonna pray
Your kingdom down
Satan we’re gonna pray
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building your kingdom
All over this world
Satan we’re gonna pray
Your kingdom down

Satan we’re gonna sing
Your kingdom down
Satan we’re gonna sing
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building your kingdom
All over this world
Satan we’re gonna sing
Your kingdom down

Satan the cross has torn
Your kingdom down
Satan the cross has torn
Your kingdom down
You’ve been building your kingdom
All over this world
Satan the cross has torn
Your kingdom down

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 now on YouTube! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Today, Sunday, February 18, we share The First Sunday In Lent, “Power In Grace Alone!” Faith Quest Sunday School does not meet this Sunday due to the holiday weekend!

Join us next Sunday, February 25, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Second Sunday In Lent, “Purpose In Grace Alone!” Faith Quest Sunday School does meet next Sunday! Join us for our Annual Meeting next Sunday, February 25, after worship!

You can join our meeting either in person or on ZOOM! Our meeting will not be available on YouTube!

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.

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

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. 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.

We hope our worship 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.

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 Renewed In Power And Grace Alone In Jesus Christ, written based on Psalm 22. “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. “Just As I Am, Without One Plea,” Words & Music Public Domain, CCLI #23206 “O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days” © 1978 Augsburg Fortress, OL #11862 “Grace Alone” © 1998 Maranatha! Music, CCLI #2335524  “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” © 1989 Dakota Road Music, OL #62627 “Be Not Afraid” © 1975, 1978, Robert J. Dufford, S.J. and New Dawn Music  “Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down” ©1999 Augburg Fortress, OL #72593 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.