Sunday Worship Service for 4th Sunday in Lent 03-30-2025
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT – Women’s History Month
03-30-2025 10:00AM “Hybrid” Worship
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS / DECLARATION OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS:
L Lent is homecoming, a time when those who wandered away come home to the Father who loved us enough to allow us to go… and who loves us enough to embrace us when we return. Will you come to your senses and return? Lent is also a time when those who have tried to remain “righteous” will put aside any resentment to offer a genuine welcome to that returning sinner. Will the father’s inclusive and unconditional love in today’s Gospel change your proud heart? Trusting the amazing grace promised to us in Jesus Christ, let us confess…
C God of mercy and love,
I confess that my feet have strayed from the places where I met Thee.
I confess that my heart, drunk with the wine of the world, I have forgotten Thee.
Today I pray that you will guide my feet and detoxify my heart.
I pray that your amazing grace will welcome me back as your sinful child.
I pray that you will forgive my refusal to receive sinning sisters or brothers back with the same grace.
And I pray that that you will keep me from seeking an easier gospel, a lighter cross, a less demanding
Savior, and a cheaper ticket to heaven. Amen.
L Hurry up, fire up the grill and barbeque some steaks! Get some ice and pour out drinks! Set a new place at the table and turn on some tunes! The party begins when each of us, all of us, realize that NONE OF US merits – has earned or deserved – God’s favor either because we are so sorry for our sins or because we are so good at not sinning. The party begins when we celebrate with others who – just like EACH OF US – enjoy the grace of our (+) Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Let ALL OF GOD’S CHILDREN shout “Amen!”
OPENING SONG: “Amazing Grace” Tan #271
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together) :
Steadfast, faithful, covenant God: Welcome us sinners home with a loving embrace, restore us to our inheritance as your daughters and your sons, and help us to become your new creation, able and willing to represent and share your reconciling love with all the world. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
FIRST READING: Joshua 5:9-12 [The 40 years of wandering have just ended. Manna from heaven is replaced by produce from the land that was promised!]
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 [In and through Jesus Christ, we are a new creation helping to create a new humanity!]
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: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 [Welcome back to God’s welcome table! You are embraced by grace whether you are crushed by guilt or proudly resentful.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “At Calvary” Tan #246
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 AND A SINFUL LIFE!
COMMUNION SONGS: “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” Tan #347
“Come and Go with Me” Tan #596
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.
You have a choice and a chance. Until it’s too late. Repent and return to the Lord.
Then invite, welcome, and embrace the other sinners who come home…