Sample of Traditional Service with a Difference

Sample of Traditional Service I LW

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FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT - A

Welcome to Lutheran Church! We thank God you are here and pray that God's Word will speak to your heart today. Visitors, we hope you will join us often as we gather around the Word. We want to know how we may serve you, so please join our members in filling out an attendance card. Pass it to the center aisle – to be collected by the ushers during the Hymn of the Day. Also, please introduce yourself to those around you and to the Pastor. Feel free to use a Prayer Request Card so the Pastor can include your concern in the Prayer of the Church.

To help parents of young children, the congregation provides Child Care during the Sunday morning services. You certainly are welcome and encouraged to let us serve your family in this way. If you are not sure where the Child Care Room is, just ask an usher.

THE PRELUDE –

PASTORAL GREETING

Theme of our Worship: Raised to New Life in Jesus Christ!

OPENING HYMN – Christ the Life of All the Living – LW, #94

Christ, the life of all the living, Christ, the death of death, our foe,

Christ, Yourself for me once giving To the darkest depths of woe:

Through Your suff'ring, death, and merit Life eternal I inherit.

Thousand, thousand thanks are due, Dearest Jesus, unto You.

You have suffered great affliction And have borne it patiently,

Even death by crucifixion, Fully to atone for me;

For You chose to be tormented That my doom should be prevented.

Thousand, thousand thanks are due, Dearest Jesus, unto You.

Then, for all that bought my pardon, For the sorrows deep and sore,

For the anguish in the garden, I will thank You ever more.

Thank You for the groaning, sighing, For the bleeding and the dying,

For that last triumphant cry, Praise You ever more on high.

Pastor: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL: Amen! He is our Savior, our Life-Giver!

(The Confession and Absolution formatted as you will receive the Services:)

THE KYRIE (Sung) – Lutheran Worship, page 159

Pastor: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

ALL: Lord, have mercy.

Pastor: For the peace from above and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

ALL: Lord, have mercy.

Pastor: For the peace of the whole world, for the wellbeing of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

ALL: Lord, have mercy.

Pastor: For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

ALL: Lord, have mercy.

Pastor: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

ALL: Amen.

A SONG OF PRAISE – God Loved the World So That He Gave – TLH, #245

God loved the world so that he gave His only Son the lost to save

That all who would in him believe Should everlasting life receive.

Glory to God the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One!

To You, O blessed Trinity, Be praise now and eternally!

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray together to the Lord.

ALL: Almighty, ever-living God, it was Your gracious will that Your Son should endure the cross for us, and thus free us from the power of the evil one. Help us, as we remember his suffering, to give him thanks by living as his disciples ought to live – redeemed from sin and freed to serve. We pray in the Name of him in whom we are free indeed, Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

THE EPISTLE FOR THE DAY: Romans 8:11-19

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 11:17-27, 38-45

Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord!

ALL: Praise to You, O Christ, Resurrection and Life!

(We Respond to the Word with the Word formatted as you will receive the Services:)

HYMN OF THE DAY – Crown Him with Many Crowns – LW, #278

Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne;

Hark how the heav'nly anthem drowns All music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing Of him who died for thee,

And hail him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

(Women:) Crown him the Lord of Love. Behold his hands and side,

Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.

No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight,

But downward bend their wond'ring eyes At mysteries so bright.

(Men:) Crown him the Lord of Life, Who triumphed o'er the grave

And rose victorious in the strife For those he came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of Heav'n, Enthroned in worlds above,

Crown him the King to whom is giv'n The wondrous name of Love.

Crown him with many crowns As thrones before him fall;

Crown him, you kings, with many crowns, For he is King of all.

THE SERMON:

[If Holy Communion is not being celebrated, continue with THE APOSTLES CREED and the order of service that follows it. It is detailed at the end of this service.]

THE NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; begotten of his Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

(The Prayer of the Church formatted as you will receive the Services:)

PRAYER FOR OUR NATION – God Bless Our Native Land – LW, #497

God bless our native land; Firm may she ever stand Through storm and night.

When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave,

Do Thou our country save By Thy great might.

For her our prayer shall rise To God above the skies, On Him we wait.

Thou Who art ever nigh, Guarding with watchful eye,

To Thee aloud we cry: God save the state!

THE OFFERING

THE VOLUNTARY –

AN OFFERTORY – Drawn to the Cross – LW, # 356

Drawn to the cross, which Thou hast blessed With healing gifts for souls distressed,

To find in Thee my life, my rest, Christ Crucified, I come.

And then for work to do for Thee, Which shall such happy service be

That angels well might envy me, Christ Crucified, I come.

REGARDING HOLY COMMUNION. Members of sister Lutheran congregations are, of course, invited to join us at the Lord's Table. Others are requested to consult with the Pastor before communing with us the first time. In this way you will help us be responsible in our administration of the Sacrament – and you, in turn, will be blessed as you commune with us.

NOTE: In the center of each communion tray are a few glasses with grape juice wine for those who are on alcohol restrictive medications or wish to abstain from alcohol for personal reasons.

+ + + THE HOLY COMMUNION + + +

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Pastor: It is truly good, right, and salutary .... evermore praising You and singing:

A SONG OF PRAISE – The Sanctus – LW, Page 170

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might: Heav'n and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

Pastor: Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on us, and have given Your only-begotten Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life.

ALL: Send now Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that he may establish in us a living faith. Prepare us joyfully to remember our Redeemer and faithfully to receive him as he comes to us in his body and blood. Amen.

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.

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

ALL: And also with you.

BEFORE WE COMMUNE – The Agnus Dei – LW, Page 172

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

NOTE – If the tune of Hymn 281 is not familiar to the congregation, you may want to use Tune #241 instead. In either case, delete this Note and the Tune and Wording you have chosen not to use.

HYMN – Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor – LW, #281

Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendor, First begotten from the dead,

You alone, our strong Defender, You lift up Your people's head.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus, true and living Bread.

Jesus, true and living Bread.

Though the lowliest forms now veil You As of old in Bethlehem,

Here as there Your angels hail You, Branch and Flow'r of Jesse's stem.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! We in worship join with them. We in worship …

Paschal Lamb, Your offering, finished Once for all when You were slain,

In its fullness undiminished Shall forevermore remain –

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! – Cleansing souls from every stain. Cleansing souls …

Life-imparting heav'nly Manna, Stricken Rock with streaming side,

Heav'n and earth with loud Hosannas Worship You, the Lamb who died –

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! – Ris'n, ascended, glorified! Ris'n, ascended, glorified!

HYMN – Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor – LW, #281 (Tune: 241)

Lord, enthroned in heav'nly splendor, First begotten from the dead,

You alone, our strong Defender, You lift up Your people's head.

Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus, true and living Bread.

Though the lowliest forms now veil You As of old in Bethlehem,

Here as there Your angels hail You, Branch and Flow'r of Jesse's stem.

Alleluia, Alleluia! We in worship join with them.

Paschal Lamb, Your offering, finished Once for all when You were slain,

In its fullness undiminished Shall forevermore remain –

Alleluia, Alleluia! – Cleansing souls from every stain.

Life-imparting heav'nly Manna, Stricken Rock with streaming side,

Heav'n and earth with loud Hosannas Worship You, the Lamb who died –

Alleluia, Alleluia! – Ris'n, ascended, glorified!

HYMN – Jesus Christ, Our Sure Defense – LW, #266

Jesus Christ, our Sure Defense, Is the Living Lord of Heaven!

Knowing this, our confidence Rests upon the hope he's given,

Though the night of death be fraught Still with many an anxious thought.

(Women:) Jesus, our Redeemer, lives! So will we to life awaken.

He will bring us where he is! Shall our courage then be shaken?

Shall we fear, or could the Head Rise and leave his members dead?

(Men:) No, too closely we are bound By our hope to Christ forever.

Faith's strong hand the Rock has found, Grasped him, and will leave him never.

Even death now cannot part From its Lord the trusting heart.

Let us draw away our hearts From all pleasures base and hollow.

Let us share what he imparts. While we here his footsteps follow,

While we here still wait to rise, Fix our hearts beyond the skies.

A SONG OF THANKSGIVING – Thank the Lord – LW, page 173

ALL: Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell everyone what he has done. Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name. He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy With shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Pastor: Heavenly Father. You have nourished us again with the Body and Blood of our Savior, the Resurrection and the Life!

ALL: Work out Your saving will in us, we pray, so we may enjoy Your gift of new life daily, may display our life in Christ in Christian service, and may move at last through our own deaths to the new life that is eternal. We pray in the Name of him who raised the dead, and who showed his power over death conclusively by his own resurrection, Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor, and give you peace.

ALL: Amen! He will bless our every day with his gift of new life in Christ.

CLOSING HYMN – Have No Fear, Little Flock – LW, #410

Have no fear, little flock; Have no fear, little flock,

For the Father has chosen To give you the Kingdom.

Have no fear, little flock!

Have good cheer, little flock; Have good cheer, little flock,

For the Father will keep you In his love forever.

Have good cheer, little flock!

Praise the Lord high above; Praise the Lord high above,

For he stoops down to heal you, Uplift and restore you.

Praise the Lord high above!

Thankful hearts raise to God; Thankful hearts raise to God,

For he stays close beside you, In all things works with you.

Thankful hearts raise to God!

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS

Pastor: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

THE POSTLUDE –

+ + + + + + +

[When the service does not include Holy Communion, after the Sermon continue the service with THE APOSTLES CREED and use this form to the end.]

THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Gracious Father in heaven, we praise You again this day that Your Son, on his way to the cross for us, demonstrated his mastery over death by calling his friend, Lazarus, from the tomb. We know him as the One Man who gave his life for his people, and are glad that we may do so in full awareness of his own victory over death.

ALL: We trust that You who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies through Your Spirit, who lives in us.

Pastor: Our Lord Jesus is the Either/Or Figure of human history. Those who are set in their own will and ways turn from him and want to get rid of him. But when we humble ourselves to receive him in faith, he truly becomes for us the Resurrection and the Life now and forever.

ALL: We want that again today, Father. Give us Your Holy Spirit, so we may look to Jesus in humble faith, rejoice in the saving truth that he is our Savior, and commit ourselves to follow and serve him daily as our Lord.

Pastor: We pray for those who are our leaders in the Church: for President Gerald Kieschnick and his coworkers in the Synod, and for President _______ and those who serve with him in our ________ District.

ALL: We pray also for our Pastor, all teachers of Your Word, and all others who serve You as leaders here at __________.

Pastor: Look with Your favor on all who have positions of responsibility and leadership in Your Church. Bless them with Your Spirit, so they may serve in humility and, under his guidance, to the true health of all Your people.

ALL: Move them to lead us as Jesus did, by word and example. Then we will be ready to follow them, and the life of Your Church will be blessed with the willing service of all Your children.

Pastor: We again bring to You, Father, those in circumstances of need and circumstances of celebration. We name before you . . . . In our hearts we commend to Your care also these who are near and dear to each of us . . . . Continue to hold them in Your gracious care.

ALL: Give to all of us the assurance that You are with us to bless us day by day, and that You work for our good in every circumstance of life. Father, as disciples of Jesus we commit ourselves to that blessed outlook at life.

Pastor: Father, we commit ourselves to that blessed outlook at life as we join in the prayer Your Son has taught us: