Fourth Sunday in Lent 2023
March 19, 2023 – St. John American Lutheran Church + ELCA + Sioux Falls SD Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives.
GATHERING MUSIC Carson Covey (Saturday) Jane Kurth (Sunday)
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAYER CONCERNS
CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
L In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
L Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
L If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection and prayer.
L Most merciful God,
C we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
L Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE No. 335 (Red Hymnal)
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY
L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C And also with you.
L O God,
C Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURES
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (Holy Bible p. 226)
Psalm 23 (Holy Bible p. 435/436)
Ephesians 5:8-14(Holy Bible p.951/952)
HYMN OF THE WORD No. 617 vs 1-3 (Red Hymnal)
We Come to you for Healing, Lord
The congregation stands for the reading of the Gospel.
GOSPEL
John 9:1-41 (p.871/872)
SERMON Pastor Lon Kvanli
HYMN OF THE DAY No. 779 (Red Hymnal)
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
PROFESSION OF FAITH: APOSTLES’ CREED
C I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
After each petition, the leader says, “Lord, in your mercy.” Congregational response is, “Hear our prayer!”
OFFERING & OFFERTORY St. John Bell Choir
He Is Lord
Directed by Sarah JorgensenOFFERTORY PRAYER
L God of good gifts,
C receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Prepare our hearts to receive you in this meal as you pour out your very presence through Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
L The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L It is indeed right, … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. (Red, pp. 152-153)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & LORD’S PRAYER
L In the night in which he was betrayed…
C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
HYMNS DURING DISTRIBUTION #336, #337, #707POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER
L The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod bless, strengthen, and uphold you, today and always.
C Amen.
L Embodied God,
C at your table, we have tasted the goodness of Jesus. With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise, empower us to hear the needs of our neighbors and touch the world with your love. Amen.
BENEDICTION
RECESSIONAL HYMN
No. 339(Red Hymnal)
Christ, the Life of All the Living
SILENT PRAYER & EXTINGUISHING OF ALTAR CANDLES
DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Serve in love.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Carson Covey (Saturday)
Jane Kurth (Sunday)
Portions of the liturgy are reprinted from EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 2006, by permission of Augsburg Fortress Press.