The Second Sunday in Lent - Online Worship - March 5, 2023
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Sunday Worship - The Third Sunday in Lent
”A Behold to Behold”
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 9:30am
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
Faith Quest meets during worship!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Litany Of Paradise In The Grace Of Jesus Christ
based on Psalm 18
Today as we share our Lenten journey, we trust assurance and hope are renewed in the simple power and grace of Jesus’ words, “Today, you are with me in paradise,” so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. I love you, O Lord, you are my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. In you I take refuge; you are my shield, my stronghold, my salvation. In you, paradise is made known!
In my distress, I called on the Lord, my God, for power and grace. From his temple he heard my voice, my cry reached his ears. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to call on the paradise and hope, we have in the rock of our salvation.
(silence for reflection)
The Lord has reached down from the heavens and taken hold of us. Take hold of the power and grace in these simple, powerful, renewing words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you, of all your sins. The Lord takes delight in us. We are delivered! Be still! The very presence of the Holy One is here!
Song of Assuring Presence
Be Still
Evans
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 has rewarded me; He is righteous. The Lord lights my lamp, even when all is dark. God’s way is perfect. He is my refuge.
Friends in faith: Who is God, except the Lord? Who is our rock, except our God? God alone is our source of simple renewing, power and grace. In Jesus, paradise is revealed. Let us be still, and lift our voices! The glory of the Lord, is shining all around!
Song of Assuring Presence
Be Still
Evans
vs. 2
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
He burns with holy fire
With splendor He is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant King of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
The Lord lives! Paradise is the Lord’s simple, renewing, power and presence in my life! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be the God of my salvation! The Lord delivers me! I am set free!
People of God: Praise the Lord among the nations! Sing praises for the paradise we proclaim in his name. The Lord’s steadfast love endures forever. Be still! The very power of the Lord is moving in this place!
Song of Assuring Presence
Be Still
Evans
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, bless us with the hope and healing and mercy and new life we have in the paradise of your steadfast love, that endures here and now, and forever. By your Holy Spirit, give us the simple, renewing power of your Word and grace this Lenten season. Renew us again from above, restore us in the cross of Christ, to live every day trusting the power of Holy Baptism, to make first The One who remembers us for all eternity, as You come into Your Kingdom. When we doubt you or fall short, give us faith to return to the Lord with all our heart, to live each day, in your grace alone. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 12:1-4a
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. ...For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason, it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all its descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) – in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song Anew In Hope & Grace
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Baker
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. 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
Gospel
John 3:1-17
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
(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.
Faith Quest meets following today’s Children’s Message!
You Are With Me in Paradise
GENESIS 12:1-4a; ROMANS 4:1-5, 13-17; JOHN 3:1-17
Paradise. What comes to mind, when you hear this word? An exotic beach? Peace and quiet? Salvation? Somewhere you have to go to, something you achieve, something you must wait for? As Nicodemus questions Jesus, he appears to know what he is looking for, he just seems unaware The Answer is right in front of him. The criminal hanging next to Jesus had Paradise revealed to him, right next to him. As we hear grace and power in “The Seven Last Words of Jesus” on the cross, let us see, perhaps we need not question any longer, perhaps the work has already been done, indeed the wait is over. Let us be born anew, be born from above, be born in The Spirit, and live, right now in the grace of these seven simple, powerful, renewing words: “Today you are with me in paradise!”
1. Paradise is, living, trusting grace in the midst of questions.
John 3:2-4
A. Look to Nicodemus, do not judge him. He knew who to ask!
B. Paradise is trusting who holds the answers; Who is The Answer!
2. Paradise is, living, being born anew.
Genesis 12:4; Romans 4:5; John 3:8-12
A. Abram and Sarai were old. Their names, their faith, were renewed.
B. Paradise is trusting our old ways of faith are made new again!
3. Paradise is, living, being born from above.
Genesis 12:2; Romans 4:16; John 3:16
A. Abram knew what we and Nicodemus still question.
B. Paradise is trusting life, real life, only comes from above!
4. Paradise is, living, being born of The Spirit.
Romans 4:14; John 3:5-9
A. Water, Word, and Spirit, baptism, complete us!
B. Paradise is trusting The Spirit gives life in power, purpose, promise.
5. Paradise is, living for all eternity, trusting Who has saved us, Who is the One with us, living here and now in the grace of these seven simple, powerful, renewing words: `Today you are with me in paradise!’
Luke 23:43
Today: We do not have to wait for tomorrow; for Good Friday; for when we die; for Jesus’ return.
You: Jesus’ invitation, proclamation, promise, truth, grace is personally for you; Jesus longs for you!
Are: This is truth; a state of being; a given; a presence; an assurance; an absolute; providing calm, comfort, power.
With: You are not alone; you are never alone!
Me: Jesus! The Best! Our Savior!
In: Not out; truly a part of; included.
Paradise: The best place; beyond our expectation; beyond our anticipation;
The Perfect Place!
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.
Sermon of Overflowing Assurance & Grace
Blessed Assurance
Knapp & Crosby
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)
As God’s people, gifted to trust and to call on God’s simple, renewing, power and grace, 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 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
Once Again
Redman
vs.s 1 & 2
Jesus Christ
I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out to death
Many times
I’ve wondered at Your gift of life
And I’m in that place once again
I’m in that place once again
Once again I look upon
The cross where you died
I’m humbled by Your mercy
And I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
(repeat)
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross my Friend
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross my Friend
vs. 3
Now You are
Exalted to the highest place
King of the heavens
Where one day I’ll bow
But for now
I marvel at this saving grace
And I’m full of praise once again
I’m full of praise once again
Once again I look upon
The cross where you died
I’m humbled by Your mercy
And I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
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; take hold of the simple power of God’s saving Word and grace! 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 peace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Going Anew in Glory & Grace
Better is One Day
Redman
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
bridge:
My heart and flesh cry out
To You the living God
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You
(refrain 2x)
Than thousands elsewhere
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Today, March 5, 9:30 a.m., we share The Second Sunday In Lent, “Today, You Are With Me In Paradise!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets today!
Join us next Sunday, March 12, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Third Sunday In Lent, “A Behold To Behold!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!
As we share our worship, we give thanks for every volunteer as you bless our ministry, greeting, ushering, nursery, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, fellowship, 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. 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 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 In The Paradise In The Grace Of Jesus Christ, written based on Psalm 18. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” and “Blessed Assurance,” 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. “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music CCLI# 120824 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Words and Music Public Domain. “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” © 1989 Dakota Road Music, OL #62627 “Once Again” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1564362 “Better Is One Day” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1097451 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.