Worship Service – 2nd Sunday in Lent 3-16-2025
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
Women’s History Month
03-16-2025 10:00AM “Hybrid” Worship
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS / DECLARATION OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS:
L People of God, how Jesus has wanted to gather us under protective wings as a hen gathers her brood of chicks under her wings. But we were not willing. In the midst of these 40 days of Lenten journey, let us be honest. O God…
C I confess that I have strayed from under your wings.
I have turned from your sheltering love as if it counts for nothing.
I have rebelled against your guiding word and the messengers of your will as if I don’t need them.
I have preferred to wander around and to peck here and there looking for some small morsel,
head down and clueless.
And I have even tried to fly out on my own on feeble wings, but haven’t gotten very high or far.
Now I realize and admit that I am cold and exposed and without defense.
Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned and strayed away. I need you!Amen.
L My friends, the heart of Jesus has been broken by our rejection of God’s love and mercy. Yet Jesus continues his
journey toward Jerusalem, his journey toward the cross, and his journey toward us. He will not stop until he has brought
us together, in safety and security, in mutual love and growing commitment, in a covenant that embraces today and
tomorrow, earth and heaven, now and forever. Like the wings of a mother hen, his outstretched arms on a cross above
us offers God’s unfailing love. Through [+] Jesus you are forgiven, trust God and try again. Amen.
OPENING SONG: “The Lord Is My Light” Brown #61
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together) : Steadfast, faithful, covenant God: Forgive us when, like Herod, we are plotting against Jesus, his lordship, and his mission. Forgive us when, like the people of Jerusalem, we are indifferent and apathetic, just don’t care much, about Jesus, his lordship, and his mission. Forgive us when, as Paul writes in Philippians, we forget that our citizenship is in heaven, and we have our minds set on earthly things. Transform our fears and our failings into firm faith and fervent love. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 [Abraham didn’t quite understand…but trusted enough to still follow.]
SECOND READING: Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 [In prison because of his faith, Paul trusts that his and every believer’s ultimate destination is “out of this world”.]
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 13:31-35 [Neither Herod’s plotting nor Jerusalem’s resistance to maternal love will deter Jesus from his mission – which is suffering and death.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” Brown #73
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!
Giving is an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given us, including our salvation. 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 the instructions for your contribution.
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 IS PRESENT IN BREAD AND WINE – HIS OWN BODY AND BLOOD – TO SAVE YOU FROM YOURSELF!
COMMUNION SONGS: “Now Behold the Lamb” Brown #128
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee” Brown #253
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. Take up your cross and follow him.