Lenten Midweek "Virtual" Worship (March 18, 2020)
Mar 18, 2020
A “Virtual” midweek Lenten Service
Suitable for home use
Overview
Week of Lent 3: Change of Circumstances
We move from elementary to middle school, or from our hometown to a new community. We lose a job, or gain a child, or accomplish a goal, or relinquish a dream. Through it all, we learn to give thanks to God in all circumstances.
Preparation
To ready yourself, consider any (or all) of these:
· Light a candle
· Sit quietly
· Let these ancient bells call you to worship
Dialogue
Week 3 (Ps. 62:2, 46:1-2)
For all our blessings, we give thanks to the Lord.
God is our rock and salvation, a help in times of plenty.
With all our burdens, we pray to the Lord.
God is our rock and salvation, a help in times of need.
In all our celebrations, we sing praise to the Lord.
God is our rock and salvation, a help in times of joy.
With all our grief, we cry to the Lord.
God is our rock and salvation,
a help in times of sorrow.
We will not fear, though the earth should change.
God is our rock and salvation; thanks be to God!
Gathering Song: Abide With Me (Please join or “participate” in this excellent YouTube!)
1 Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
3 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
4 I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me!
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Prayer
Week 3
O God our rock and salvation, you walk with us through all the ups and downs of life. Whatever our circumstances, bring us closer to you. Teach us to rejoice in the good times, find hope through the bad times, and always place our trust in you. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Psalmody: Psalm 103:1–5, 13–14
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:22–34
He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflection: Change of Circumstance
The text of the message is available here; A video of the message is here.
Hymn of the Day: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Here are three versions of this song:
A beautiful congregational version of the one in our hymnal
A contemporary folk version set to a different tune (but the same words)
A gorgeous choral version, again, with a different tune (but the same words)
1 O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
2 O Light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.
3 O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain
and feel the promise is not vain
that morn shall tearless be.
4 O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red
life that shall endless be.
Prayers
O God our help,
you walk with us through all of life’s changes.
Grant us strength, patience, wisdom, and understanding.
O God our hope,
you come to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Show us your salvation,
and lead us in the way of the cross.
O God our shelter,
you enfold us like a mother hen gathering her chicks.
Watch over all who are sick, grieving, lonely, and in need this day.
O God our home, you claim us as your beloved children.
Lord, remember us when you come into your kingdom.
Here other prayers may be offered.
All this we ask through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray together:
O triune God in heaven above,
your blessed name we hallow.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done
in this world as in heaven;
give bread for each new day begun;
our sins be all forgiven,
as we forgive what others do;
in every trial see us through;
from evil save us. Amen.
Offering
Offering Prayer (Matt. 25:35)
Steadfast God, you bless us amid all the changes and chances of life. Grant us servant hearts, that we may feed the hungry and welcome the stranger in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Blessing
Based on 2 Thessalonians 3:16
The Lord of peace give you peace at all times and in all ways.
In the name of the Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Sending Song: Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing
For the closing,
· Here’s a “do it yourself” version where you do the singing (to the same tune as our hymnal)
· Here’s another, with piano and the text from a hymnal to guide you.
· Same song and words but set to a different (Missouri Synod) tune.
· Want to sing in four parts? Try this!
1 Lord, dismiss us with your blessing,
fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing,
triumph in redeeming grace.
Oh, refresh us; oh, refresh us,
trav'ling through this wilderness.
2 Thanks we give and adoration
for your gospel's joyful sound.
May the fruits of your salvation
in our hearts and lives abound.
Ever faithful, ever faithful
to your truth may we be found.
3 Savior, when your love shall call us
from our struggling pilgrim way,
let no fear of death appall us,
glad your summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever
reign with you in endless day.
Dismissal
Go now in peace, for nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Thanks be to God.
Be patient and let it develop!