Cycle C Lent 3

3/3/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Interpretation Sunday

Sermon Title: Soooo…..

Previously:

Sunday Title: Meaning Sunday

Sermon Title: What’s the meaning of that?

Sunday Title: Suffering Sunday 

Sermon Title: “Is there a purpose in suffering?”

Sunday Title: What's it to Ya Sunday 

Sermon Title: "What Does it Mean to You?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 55:1-9 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near....

Psalm 63:1-8 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did.

Luke 13:1-9 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  With our repentance let us seek the Lord while he is near.

          (pause for self-examination)

P:  Merciful God...

C: We see the evil that happens in our world,

and we wonder where your justice is,

  the same time we plot to take our "fair" share.

We never do anything wrong,

  without a really good excuse,

    because we know you would understand.

And because you still bless us,

  we think it: your sanction,

    instead of seeking forgiveness.

Forgive us for what we speak in truth,

    save us from what we hide in darkness. (Pause for reflection)

P: God is faithful, and will provide a way out of every testing. Our God is merciful, and forgiving with a steadfast love that is secured in our Lord Jesus: God's own Son. (For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven). By the power of the Holy Spirit our repentance and God's forgiveness may bear the fruit that reflects the nature of our relationship. Glory to the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

during Lent the Absolution may be withheld

Cycle C Lent 2

2/24/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Passport Sunday

Sermon Title: Our Citizenship- Who’s claim is upon us?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Plan Sunday

Sermon Title: Plans and Promises

Sunday Title: Promise Sunday

Sermon Title: Keeping Promises

Sunday Title: Protection Sunday

Sermon Title: “Believing and Unbelievable”

Sunday Title: Mother Hen Sunday

Sermon Title: "Fox in the Hen House"

Scripture Cuttings:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 The Lord brought Abram outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then the Lord said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And Abram believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Philippians 3:17-4:1 …their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 13:31-35 How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us call upon the name of the Lord for our help.

      (pause for self-examination)

P:  Most merciful God...

C: you desire to gather your children together

  yet we are not willing.

We squander your gifts,

  misuse our power,

    and turn away from your love.

We spend ourselves for what does not satisfy

  and neglect those in sorrow and in need.

Spare us Lord, and forgive us our sins

  that we may turn from evil ways,

    and find shelter beneath your wings. (Pause for reflection)

P:  God is generous to all who ask for help, providing God’s own Son for those who trust in him. (For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven). Providing still, the Holy Spirit that we might believe in the one who comes to redeem, that we too might witness to the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

during Lent the Absolution may be withheld

Cycle C Lent 1

2/17/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Victory Sunday

Sermon Title: God’s Victory

Previously:

Sunday Title: Temptation Sunday

Sermon Title: “Power for personal gain.”

Sunday Title: Temptation Sunday 

Sermon Title: “Ignoring Temptation”

Sunday Title: Temptation Sunday 

Sermon Title: "The Temptation of Leftovers"

Scripture Cuttings:

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me. You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.!

Romans 10:8b-13 The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart.

Luke 4:1-13 Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  We have come into the inheritance of our Lord

     but we have forgotten how to worship.

     Let us remember who our God is. (pause for self-examination)

P:  Merciful God...

C: We can resist all things, except temptation.

We saturate our senses

  in search of comfort and pleasure.

We attempt to rule our little kingdoms

  and control what should be shared with others.

We seek the recognition of others

  for our sense of worth

    but you are the source our true value.

Forgive us for what we name,

    save us from what we hide. (Pause for reflection)

P: Our inheritance is the faithfulness of God, who in grace and mercy gives to us our Lord Jesus: God's own Son. (For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven). In the trust and belief the Holy Spirit puts in our hearts we may call upon his name for salvation. For God’s own victory: to the glory of  the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

during Lent the Absolution may be withheld

Cycle C Transfiguration

2/10/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Transfiguration Sunday

Sermon Title: Welcome Pastor Jim Brandis

Previously:

Sunday Title: Transfiguration Sunday / Glory Sunday –

Sermon Title: “The Visible Change”

Scripture Cuttings:

Exodus 34:29-35 Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.

Psalm 99 Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us prepare ourselves to encounter God 

    (pause to examine your readiness to meet the Holy)

P:  Holy Lord,

C: we are not ready to meet you

Your Glory is too bright

  your mission is too hard

We doubt instead of faith,

  we act confused instead of following,

    we thrill with the mountain top experience,

      and but lose our vision when we return to the plain.

We do not listen to your voice: forgive us Lord.

We are not ready for your Glory: prepare us Lord.

    (Pause for reflection)

P:  Our hope is in Christ Jesus. For his sake our sins are forgiven. In him the veil of God’s glory is lifted and we are transformed from one degree of glory to another. By the power of the Holy Spirit showing the mercy of God we are now engaged in the ministry that brings glory to the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Epiphany 5 (Lectionary 5)

2/10/2013 Confession 

Sunday Title: Holy Sunday

Sermon Title: Encounter with the Holy

Previously:

Sunday Title: Call Sunday -

Sermon Title: "God doesn't call the qualified-

                    God qualifies the called"

Sunday Title: Worthy Sunday  

Sermon Title: "The Power to Impress"

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 6:1-13 "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Psalm 138 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies....

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved.

Luke 5:1-11 Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Our sins are too great to bear,

        let us give them to the Lord. (pause for self-examination)

P:  Holy, Holy, Holy Lord...

C: Woe is me!  I am lost,

for I am one of unclean lips,

  and I live with and like people of unclean lips;

    and I do so after I have seen your salvation.

You have blotted out my sin,

  and my guilt has departed,

    yet I listen and do not understand,

      I will not turn from my sin or divest my guilt.

This I know, forgive me Lord.

What I deny, save me Lord. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Do not be afraid. It is by the grace of God that we may stand and confess, daring to call God our Heavenly Father. It is by the grace of God that our sins are forgiven, through the victory of Jesus Christ. It is by the grace of God that we the unworthy may proclaim salvation, and reclaim life in the power of the Holy Spirit. We may live again as saved people, and God’s grace will not be in vain. The Lord asks "Whom shall I send?"

C: Here am I! Send me!  Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Epiphany 4 (Lectionary 4)

2/3/2013 Confession

Sunday Title:  Prophet Sundays

Sermon Title: Home Bound

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Redemption Sunday -

Sermon Title: "The Ministry Begins"

Sunday Title:  Name Sunday 

Sermon Title: "From your Mother's Womb"

Scripture Cuttings:

Jeremiah 1:4-10 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Psalm 71:1-6 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ...and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Luke 4:21-30 Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's home town.

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Repent, come to God,

this is the call of the prophet, let us listen.

    (pause for self-examination)

P:  Creating God...

C: from our mother's womb you know us,

  but we want to keep you distant.

You place us into the world to build and to plant,

  yet we join the destruction of relationships and life.

We doubt your power presented to us,

  thinking ourselves more worthy than others,

    and unwilling to call you Lord.

Forgive our sins of pride,

Save us from our ignorance. (Pause for reflection)

P:  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ comes to us. He is the Son of God. He heals and forgives our sins. We are invited to believe. By the power of the Holy Spirit we may know the salvation given in the words of absolution: for the sake of Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. Freed from our burdens, now we may live in the love that endures. To the Glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Epiphany 3 (Lectionary 3)

1/27/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Homecoming Sundays

Sermon Title: Reprieve

Previously:

Sunday Title: Word Sunday

Sermon Title: "The Living Word"

Sunday Title: Teaching Sunday

Sermon Title: "Being Taken to School"

Scripture Cuttings:

Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10 So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

Psalm 19 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Luke 4:14-21 Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P: Our God is a God of his word.

Let us confess our need for reconciliation: (will we let God bring us together?)

P: Lord God...

C: we bless you for the guidance you give

  we thank you for your creation

    we praise you for your promises....

but we do not follow your instructions

  we hoard your gifts

    we doubt the power of your Living Word to heal us.

Forgive us the sins we name

Save us from the sins we deny. (Pause for reflection)

P:  God chooses to recover God's own people. In our hearing God's promise of redemption is fulfilled. For the sake of Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. Now the Spirit of the Lord rest upon us to proclaim God's mercy. Glory to the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Epiphany 2 (Lectionary 2)

1/20/2013 Confession

 Sunday Title: Eight Day Sunday

Sermon Title: When is it time?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Sign Sunday

Sermon Title: Handwriting on the wall.

Sunday Title: New Life 25^th Anniversary

Sermon Title: Burry Our troubles

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 62:1-5 …and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.

Psalm 36:5-10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

John 2:1-11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee,

and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Our God desires a strong relationship with us.

Let us reverse our resistance to the Lord. (pause for self-examination)

P:  Mighty Lord...

C: you give us great variety:

in ability, style, age, race, even gender,

  but we still don’t see difference as a gift.

Instead we act selfishly insisting on our own way.

  We know the best way, the right way.

    and so we become drunk with self - right - ness,

      and can not taste the holy righteousness you provide.

Your abundance is spilling forth

  while we squander your gifts

    by protecting our own.

Forgive us the sins we choose.

Save us from the sins we let choose us.

(Pause for reflection)

P:  God is dying to reveal love and glory. God’s son Jesus Christ has died for our sake so that we might know our sins are forgiven. We are invited into an intimate relationship with God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we may live in the forgivenes so generously poured upon us. To the Glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

Cycle C Baptism of our Lord

1/13/2013 Confession

Sunday Title: Baptism Sunday

Sermon Title: My Baptism.

Previously:

Sunday Title: Focus Sunday -

Sermon Title: "A face in the crowd"

Sunday Title: Baptism of Our Lord 

Sermon Title: "Chaff and Wheat"

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 43:1-7 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine

Psalm 29 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Acts 8:14-17 ...for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus....

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.

Confession:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Together, we remember our Lord's claim upon us.

  Let us repent of our sins. (pause for self-examination)

P:  Lord...

C: we forget you make us.

We forget the lengths you go for us.

  We forget you call us by name.

We forget we belong to you.

  We forget you redeem us.

    We forget you make us holy.

Because we forget,

  your world does not see you in us.

    and we do not see you in us.

      still you claim us.

Forgive us our forgetting,

Save us from our evasion. (Pause for reflection)

P:  We are called by name to be children of God. We are born anew by the power of the Holy Spirit. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. By the Holy Spirit we may have power over the sin that causes our forgetfulness and our work may be sanctified by the enduring love of God. To the Glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!