Holy Communion at the Break of Day

Lent 2016

Sunday, March 13, 2016

2

Welcome!

Everyone is welcome. As a community of the people of God, the members of Central Lutheran Church are

called to welcome all people regardless of age, economic status, ethnic background, gender, physical or

mental ability, race or sexual orientation. We affirm that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is

neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female” (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one.

Guests are welcome. We are pleased you are worshiping with us today. We invite guests to complete the

“Welcome to Central” card found in the pew racks and leave it with an usher or place it in the offering plate.

If you would like more information about Central, please contact us at 612-870-4416, or email

info@centralmpls.org.

Children are welcome at all services. Worship bulletins for children and activity bags are available at

Sanctuary entrances. If you would prefer to use Central’s nursery (available for children ages four and

younger), you will find it up the steps from the information desk at the South Entrance (across from the

fellowship hall). An usher or greeter will be glad to assist you.

Welcome to the Lord’s Table. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome at Holy Communion. Please follow

the guidance of the ushers and instructions in the order of service. During communion, ministers will bring

bread and wine to persons in designated access seating areas. Communion may be received in one kind

(only bread or only wine) from any station if wheat bread or alcohol presents a health concern. Gluten-free

breads and alcohol-free wine are available by request at most liturgies from most communion stations.

Welcome to the Holy Baptism. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome to receive Holy Baptism. Please

visit with any worship leader, staff member, hospitality volunteer, contact the church office, or complete an

information card, indicating that you wish to be baptized. A pastor will contact you.

Friends of Central…Stay connected

Across the country and beyond there are many people who have a soft spot in their heart for Central

Lutheran Church – people who feel a connection both to the history and the ongoing mission of this

congregation. If you’re one of them, we invite you to join our network of Friends of Central. Pick up a

brochure or visit our website for more information or to join.

Electronic giving is available at Central. You can go online through Central’s website at

www.centralmpls.org and click on Donate to our Mission. If you give electronically,

use the green pew card to drop in the offering plate instead of an envelope. Central

Lutheran is supported by givers like you. Questions? Contact the church office at 612-

870-4416.

The shape of this service takes its inspiration from Easter dawn, the Church’s daily pattern and Luther’s

admonition when we rise to begin the day to “wash our face and remember our baptism”: In the morning, as

soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: “God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

watch over me. Amen.” Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you wish, you

may in addition recite this little prayer as well; [Luther’s morning prayer]; After singing a hymn perhaps or whatever

else may serve your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully. (Small Catechism)

3

FIRST LIGHT Holy Communion

at the break of day

Sunday, March 13, 2016, 8:30 am

Mary anoints Jesus for his burial

Christ is a way through the wilderness, a river in the desert

The Lord our God makes all things new. In the first reading God promises it. In

the gospel Mary anticipates it, anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume in

preparation for the day of his burial. In the second reading we recall the

transformation of Saul, the persecutor, into Paul, the apostle. In baptism, God’s

new person (you!) rises daily from the deadly mire of trespasses and sins.

We Gather to Begin the Day Anew in Baptism

The assembly gathers in front half of the center section.

PRELUDE

“Berceuse” Leevi Madetoja The worship leaders greet the assembly as they arrive.

At the sound of the bell the assembly stands and gathers around the baptismal font.

GATHERING AT THE FONT

4

Martin Luther’s Morning Prayer concludes the Gathering.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN (hymn) 339

“Christ, the Life of All the Living” Worship leaders move from the font to the place of the Word.

We Listen to God’s Word

WELCOME

Welcome in the name of Jesus, the savior of the world…

CHILDREN’S WORD Children are invited to come forward; parents are welcome to come with their children.

5

READING The LORD gives water in the wilderness Isaiah 43:16-21

to the chosen people The prophet declares that long ago the Lord performed mighty deeds and delivered Israel from

Egyptian bondage through the waters of the sea. Now, the Lord is about to do a new thing, bringing

the exiles out of Babylon and through the wilderness in a new exodus.

Thus says the LORD,

who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches;

for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people, 21the people whom I formed for myself

so that they might declare my praise.

Holy wisdom, holy word.

Thanks be to God.

READING To know Christ in his resurrection Philippians 3:4b-14

to share in his sufferings Writing to Christians in Philippi, Paul admits that his heritage and reputation could give him more

reason than most people to place confidence in his spiritual pedigree. But the overwhelming grace of

God in Jesus calls Paul to a new set of values.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi:

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth

day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as

to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the

law, blameless.

7Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8More than

that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my

Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order

that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that

comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God

based on faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of

6

his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11if somehow I may attain the resurrection

from the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal but I press on to

make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Beloved, I do not consider that

I have made it my own but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining

forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of

God in Christ Jesus.

Holy wisdom, holy word.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Mary anoints Jesus for his burial John 12:1-8 The assembly stands to welcome the gospel, singing:

A soloist sings the verse:

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward

the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

The assembly repeats the refrain.

Judas willfully misinterprets as waste Mary’s extravagant act of anointing Jesus’ feet with costly

perfume. Jesus recognizes that her lavish gift is both an expression of love and an anticipation of his

burial.

The holy gospel according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had

raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one

of those at the table with him. 3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard,

anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance

of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray

him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given

to the poor?” 6(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief;

7

he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7Jesus said, “Leave her

alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8You always have the

poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON silence follows for reflection and meditation

HYMN OF THE DAY (hymn) 666

“What Wondrous Love Is This” stanzas 1, 2 & 4

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. silence follows for reflection

Merciful Father,

we have sinned against heaven and before you.

We do not fully live as your sons and daughters.

We use your gifts to our own ends. Forgive and restore us,

that we may resist all that draws us away from you,

and be at peace with one another. Amen.

We are reconciled to God through Christ Jesus;

for his sake, God does not count our sin against us.

Once dead in sin, we are now alive to God.

Once lost, we now are found.

God clothes you in the finest robe of all,

the righteousness of + Jesus Christ, forgiving you all your sin

and making of you a new creation.

Amen.

Our heavenly Father is loving, merciful, and just.

From him we have received grace upon grace.

8

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Each prayer petition concludes: Hear us, O God;

The assembly responds: your mercy is great.

The prayer appointed for the day concludes these prayers:

Creator God, you prepare a new way in the wilderness,

and your grace waters our desert.

Open our hearts to be transformed by the new thing you are doing,

that our lives may proclaim the extravagance of your love

given to all through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

We Feast around the Table of the Lord

PEACE

In Jesus Christ God has made his peace with us.

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you. The assembly is invited to share the peace of Christ with one another.

GATHERING OF GIFTS

“Domine Deus” from the Mass in B Minor J. S. Bach sung in Latin: Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

Lord God, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

When bread and wine are shared in Christ’s name an offering is gathered for the mission of the church,

including the care of those in need. During this time the table is set. After the offering is gathered,

bread, wine, money, and other gifts are brought forward. The assembly stands as the procession reaches

the altar.

Worship leaders move to the place of the Meal.

9

The assembly prays over their gifts.

Let us pray together.

God our provider,

you have not fed us with bread alone,

but with the words of grace and life.

Bless us and these your gifts,

which we receive from your bounty,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The presider continues with the Great Thanksgiving, concluding:

Lord’s Prayer (sung by all)

10

Breaking of the Bread & Invitation to the Table

Communion All who come seeking Jesus are welcome to receive these gifts of God.

Communion at this service is served kneel at the communion rail (as you are able). Please follow

the directions of the worship leaders. Grape juice and gluten-free bread are available upon request.

Children are welcome to receive communion or a blessing.

silence for reflection concludes the Communion

Prayer after Communion

Let us pray.

O God, in this holy meal you have embraced us

and gathered us into your arms of compassion and protection.

Guide our journey in these forty days,

ready to see our work as prayer, ready to fast from complacency,

and ready to share with those in need; in Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

11

We Are Sent to be God’s Hands in the World

HYMN (hymn) 539

“Abide, O Dearest Jesus” stanzas 1 & 5

Worship leaders move to the exit.

The assembly turns to face the leaders during the hymn.

BLESSING

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

…now and forever.

Amen.

Go in peace. Return to the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

“Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart” Johann Gottfried Walther

Serving Today

Pastor Peter Nycklemoe, presiding

Pastor D. Foy Christopherson, preaching

Barbara VanDrasek, assisting minister

Michael Dee, reader

Sara Gunsch, crucifer

Philip Rossin, Susan Troselius, soloists

Cantor Mark Sedio, organist/pianist

Mark Kieffer, Marc Wilson, sound operators

Larry Angeles, Kana Dano, greeter & host

Bob Tufford, lead usher for March

Richard Stegall, Bill Masche, Bruce Bergeson-Meekins, sacristans

12

Chancel flowers today are given in loving memory of James L. (Jim) Adams. If you wish to donate

flowers contact Judy Korogi 10 days in advance at 612-788-1288.

Lord’s Prayer: Cambodian folktune; Text paraphrase/setting: James Erlandson; Harmonization: Mark Sedio; © 2004, Concordia Publishing House

Some material from Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26515.

Commemorations this Week

March 17

Patrick, bishop, missionary to Ireland, died 461 A native of Britain, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates at age sixteen and sold into slavery in Ireland. After a few

years, he escaped, returned home, and entered the ministry. Returning to Ireland, he successfully served as a

bishop and missionary there.

March 19

Joseph, Guardian of Jesus Though the Bible tells us little about the husband of Jesus' mother Mary, we know that he was a carpenter or

builder by trade. He is also shown as being devoted both to God and to Mary and Jesus. It is assumed that he died

before Jesus became an adult.

Palm Sunday, March 20

For this liturgy next week, we’ll gather in the South Commons for the Procession

with Palms.