FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT 04-06-2025 10:00AM “Hybrid” Worship

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
04-06-2025 10:00AM “Hybrid” Worship

+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS / DECLARATION OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS:
L Come on, Church! Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Come on, Church! Let us worship the Lord and give him the honor!
Come, let us worship the Lord and give him the glory!
Give God the glory, give God the honor, and give God the praise!
But, before we worship, let us open our hearts in humility, in repentance, and in honesty. O God of mercy…
C I confess that sometimes I think I give too much to You.
Sometimes I think I should have guarded my time and my money more closely.
Sometimes I think I need to reconsider my priorities and not waste my time, my talents, or my treasures
on You and your mission.
Sometimes I want to be a little less Christian and a little more worldly, a little less loving and a little more self-serving, a little less sacri—ficial and a little more super—ficial.
Sometimes I long for an easier gospel, a lighter cross, a less demanding Savior, and a cheaper ticket
to heaven.
Be merciful, Lord, for I have sinned. Be merciful, Lord, for we have all sinned. Amen.
L My sisters and brothers, there is a reckless God in heaven who was so crazy in love so as to allow the sacrifice of his
precious Son to save you! Our God seeks to pour out and anoint you with extravagant love this morning. God is
generous beyond words! God is merciful beyond reason! And God offers you the very gift of new life through the death
of his Son, (+) Jesus Christ. You are forgiven, anointed, and transformed. Live in the newness of life, glad for the
opportunity to love!
OPENING SONG: “In the Beauty of Holiness”
Come, let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Come, let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Give Him the honor… give Him the praise.
Come, let us worship the Lord, let’s give Him the praise.
WORSHIP HIM! WORSHIP HIM!
GIVE MY GOD THE GLORY! GIVE MY GOD THE# PRAISE!
WORSHIP HIM! WORSHIP HIM!
COME, LET US WORSHIP THE LORD, LET’S GIVE HIM THE PRAISE!
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together) :
Steadfast, faithful, covenant God:
Awaken us to your promises and fill us with your power,
that we might be fresh in our faith…
that we might press forward with lasting hope and continued joy…
and that we might eagerly serve you with grateful living and generous loving. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
FIRST READING: Isaiah 43:16-31
[God’s great NEW THING of unexpected salvation – a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert! Do you not perceive it?]
SECOND READING: Philippians 3:4b-14
[Paul’s wonderful NEW THING of totally transformed values – knowing Christ has made him a servant of love! This matters most of all!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your word.
Lord, let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart be good soil.”
THE GOSPEL: John 12:1-8
[Mary’s humble NEW THING of uninhibited worship to an unlimited Savior helped prepare him to die for her and also for Judas!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “The Greatest Thing”
(1) The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You; The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;
I want to know You more, I want to know You more. The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
(2) The greatest thing in all my life is loving You…
(3) The greatest thing in all my life is serving You…
THE PRAYERS… We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will impact our lives and transform the world!
+ Revival Through God’s Meal +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away can: mail a check or money order to
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow instructions
for your contribution. God commands, expects, and celebrates our caring and sharing!

SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “I Know It Was the Blood”
(1) I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood for me.
One day when I was lost, he died upon the cross… I know it was the blood for me.
(2) It was my Savior’s blood… (3) They pierced him in the side… (4) He’s coming back again…
OFFERING PRAYER (from PSALM 51) by the Communion Assistant:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with your bountiful spirit.
Then I will teach other sinners your ways; and I will eagerly sing of your goodness. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L The Lord delivers us from sin and death… C … and grants us salvation and eternal life!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST OFFERS YOU FORGIVENESS, NOURISHMENT, UNITY, AND PROMISE TO SAVE YOU FROM A BROKEN WORLD, A SINFUL LIFE, AND A HOPELESS ETERNITY!
COMMUNION SONGS: “Now Behold the Lamb” Brown #128
“I Surrender All” Brown #235
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ Righteousness Through God’s Spirit +
THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God calls us to “return home” to faithful discipleship!
CLOSING SONG: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” Brown #66
(1) I want Jesus to walk with me… I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
(2) In my trials, Lord, walk with me… In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
When my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
(3) When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me… When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.
When my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.