The Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 10, 2024 – Believe in Grace Alone
Lord of Life LIVE - The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship - The Fifth Sunday in Lent
”Believe In Grace Alone”
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 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 Renewal in Grace Alone in Jesus Christ
based on Psalm 116
Today as we share our Lenten journey, we pray to be alive and anew thanks to believing in new ways in God’s faithfulness and grace alone, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. I take glory in the Lord. He protects me. When I was brought low, he saved me. My soul rests in the Lord. He has delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. The Lord calls me to live in the land of the living.
People of Faith: Love the Lord; he hears you 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 believed in God’s faithfulness and grace.
(silence for reflection)
Friends, the Lord is our salvation, we are precious in his sight. Today, fear not, trust in the grace alone in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Though the snares of death encompass us, though we suffer distress, we believe anew, we have nothing to fear!
Song of Trust Anew
Fear Not
Pringle
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Says the Lord
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Says the Lord
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. Return, O my soul, to your rest.
People of great faith: The Lord has delivered your soul from death, your eyes from tears, your feet from stumbling; together, let us fear not, let us believe boldly, and walk before the Lord in the land of the living!
Song of Trust Anew
Fear Not
Pringle
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Says the Lord
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Fear not
For I am with you
Says the Lord
Almighty and loving God, out of your power and compassion, you broke into our troubled world through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. By your faithfulness, we fear not; we boldly believe, for you, God, so loved the world, that you gave your only Son. By your Holy Spirit, increase our faith, this Lenten season, to believe we are alive and anew in your grace alone. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Children are invited to attend Faith Quest!
Old Testament Lesson
Numbers 21:4–9
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient along the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
Ephesians 2:1–10
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song of Trust Anew
I Love to Tell the Story
Hankey & Fischer
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)
Gospel
John 3:14–21
Jesus said, “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 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. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
(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.
Believe in Grace Alone!
NUMBERS 21:4-9; EPHESIANS 2:1-10; JOHN 3:14-21
`Can you believe it?' `Do you believe it?' `I can't believe it!' `I saw it, but I don't believe it!' `If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.' `I'll have to see it to believe it.' Believing is not an easy thing to do. We want to, but something inside pulls us towards proof. We are drawn to sure things. `To believe' by nature is to have confidence in existence or worth when proof is not possible. In your faith walk, how are you at believing when you are not sure? How does God build faith in your life? In our story from John today, we hear those familiar words, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him would not die but have eternal life." `All who believe, will have eternal life.' As we continue our Lenten journey, we boldly believe in God’s grace alone, trusting with confidence Jesus' existence, power and faithfulness, even though at times we would rather have proof. John 3:16 invites us to believe and to trust the surest thing of all, the love of God for us in Jesus Christ alone!
1. `To believe' is not easy to define, it is even more difficult to accept. Thanks be to God, to believe is possible, in grace alone!
Numbers 21:4-5
A. `To believe:' To have confidence in someone's or something's existence or worth when proof is not possible.
B. `To believe:' To accept as real.
C. What keeps us trusting Jesus' existence? What gives you the power to accept as real you are alive and saved anew in God’s grace alone? What about Jesus is a sure thing for you?
2. We so often try to analyze and break down the gift of faith. Instead, let us break down John 3:16, and let us believe in God’s grace alone!
A. For God – Who do you believe is in charge?
Ephesians 2:4
B. So loved – Do you believe God is crazy about you?
Ephesians 2:5,8
C. The world – Do you believe this includes but is not limited to you?
Numbers 21:6-7
Ephesians 2:2
D. That he gave – Do you believe the gift is a gift?
Ephesians 2:4-5,8
E. His only Son – Do you believe God in the flesh?
Ephesians 2:5
John 3:17
F. So everyone – Again, do you believe this is inclusive?
Numbers 21:6-7
G. Who believes – Do you believe all you need do is believe?
John 3:18
H. In him – Do you believe Jesus above yourself?
Ephesians 2:5-6
John 3:14-15
I. Would not die but have eternal life – Do you believe you will not die, that you live now, and forever?
Ephesians 2:1,6
John 3:16
3. Do you believe, God believes in you?
Ephesians 2:5,8
John 3:16
A. God sends his Son for all who believe because God through love and grace and mercy believes in us.
B. God sees value in us, has confidence in our existence and worth.
C. Believe in God’s grace alone! Trust God so loved, so all who believe would not die, but live. Can it be proven? Does it need to be? Believe God’s grace in Jesus Christ is a sure thing!
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 Trust
Breathe
Barnett
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very Word
Spoken to me
And I
I’m desp’rate for You
And I
I’m lost without You
(repeat)
And I
I’m desp’rate for You
And I
I’m lost without You
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
... 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
We Believe
Fike & Ryan
vs. 1
In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe
We believe
refrain 1:
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s coming back again
We believe
vs. 2
So
Let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe
We believe
(refrain 1 then bridge)
bridge:
Let the lost be found
And the dead be raised
In the here and now
Let love invade
Let the Church live loud
Our God will save
We believe
We believe
And the gates of hell
Will not prevail
For the pow’r of God
Has torn the veil
Now we know Your love
Will never fail
We believe
We believe
(refrain 2)
refrain 2:
We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s coming back
He’s coming back again
He’s coming back again
We believe
We believe
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; 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 peace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Going Anew in Grace
I Believe
Ylvisaker
I believe I do believe
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
I believe I do believe
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
I believe in God
The Almighty Lord Creator
Mighty Lord Creator
Mighty Lord Creator
I believe in God
The Almighty Lord Creator
Mighty Lord Creator
Mighty Lord Creator
I believe in Jesus
The Savior of all people
Savior of all people
Savior of all people
I believe in Jesus
The Savior of all people
Savior of all people
Savior of all people
And I do believe
In the power of the Spirit
Power of the Spirit
Power of the Spirit
And I do believe
In the power of the Spirit
Power of the Spirit
Power of the Spirit
I believe I do believe
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
I believe I do believe
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
Truly I believe it
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Today, Sunday, March 10, 9:30 a.m., we share The Fourth Sunday In Lent, “Believe In Grace Alone!” Faith Quest Sunday School does meet today!
Join us next, Sunday, March 17, 9:30 a.m., as we share The Fifth Sunday In Lent, “Glorified In Grace Alone!” Faith Quest Sunday School does meet next Sunday!
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 Of Renewal In Grace Alone In Jesus Christ, written based on Psalm 116. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” and “I Love To Tell The Story,” 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 “I Love to Tell the Story” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #29413 “Breathe” © 1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1874117 “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” © 1989 Dakota Road Music, OL #62627 “The Spirit Intercedes For Us” © 1989 Dakota Road Music “We Believe” © Integrity Worship Music, CCLI #6367165 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.