INTRODUCTION
Though we sometimes doubt and often resist God’s desire to protect and save us, our God persists. In holy baptism, God’s people have been called and gathered into a God-initiated relationship that will endure. Lent provides the church with a time and a tradition in which to seek God’s face again. Lent provides another occasion to behold the God of our salvation in the face of the Blessed One who “comes in the name of the Lord.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS You will need your ELW for Sending Hymn (ELW 768)
PRELUDE Arisio
* CONFESSION AND FORGIVNESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.
Let us return to God, confessing our sin in the assurance of God’s abiding love.
Compassionate One,
you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, but our lives do not always reflect you and your love for the world. We do not show others the tender compassion you have shown to us. We do not welcome others with the radical hospitality you grant to all people.
We oppress others, even though you have set us free again and again.
We squander the abundant gifts of the earth. Transform our lives
and guide us again in the way of the cross. Amen.
Beloved in Christ, God’s arms are always stretched open wide to welcome the wandering ones home. In Christ your sins are forgiven. You have a place in God’s house forever. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
God of the covenant, in the mystery of the cross you promise everlasting life to the world. Gather all peoples into your arms, and shelter us with your mercy, that we may rejoice in the life we share in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING SONG My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (ELW 597)
FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus ” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4 But the word of the LORD came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5 He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.
7 Then he said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it ” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”
PSALM: Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then | shall I fear
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I | be afraid
2 When evildoers close in against me to devour my flesh,
they, my foes and my enemies, will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart | will not fear.
Though war rise up against me, my trust will | not be shaken.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD; one | thing I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life; to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek God | in the temple.
5 For in the day of trouble God will | give me shelter,
hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high upon a rock.
6 Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies | who surround me.
Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music | to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice, O LORD, | when I call;
have mercy on me and | answer me.
8 My heart speaks your message— | “Seek my face.”
Your face, O LORD, | I will seek.
9 Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your servant in anger.
Cast me not away—you have been my helper; forsake me not, O God of | my salvation.
10 Though my father and my mother forsake me,
the LORD will | take me in.
11 Teach me your | way, O LORD;
lead me on a level path, because of | my oppressors.
12 Subject me not to the will | of my foes,
for they rise up against me, false witnesses | breathing violence.
13 This I believe—that I will see the goodness | of the LORD
in the land | of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD | and be strong.
Take heart and wait | for the LORD!
SECOND READING: Philippians 3:17—4:1
17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
GOSPEL: Luke 13:31-35
The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 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.’ ”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
MEDITATION Pastor Wende Bleam
*HYMN OF THE DAY Thy Holy Wings (ELW 613)
* APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
*PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.
Holy God, you long to gather your church under your wings. Bless the churches of Jerusalem, and all persecuted churches, that your people may take heart and stand firm as they witness and minister in your name. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Holy God, you give shelter to living things as numerous as the stars. Strengthen the voice of prophets who call humanity to faithful care for the planet, that they would not be silenced but heeded as your messengers. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Holy God, you raised up leaders like Abram, Sarai, and Paul to show your people what it means to rely on your promises. Guide today’s leaders to work for justice and safeguard the world for future generations. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Holy God, you are the stronghold of our life. Care tenderly for those who are ill in body or mind, and for people living in fear or need. May all know they are not alone. We pray especially baby Evelyn, for the family of Shawn Bell, Trena, Keyasi, Sorie, Bill, Carol, Vince, Danielle, Barbara, Deb, Connor, Dawn, Elaine, Rich, Robert, Anna, Don, Bryant, Lois, Curt, Calvin, Robin, Ana, Helen, Hoon, Pat, Joe, Ruth, Lisa, Jacklyn, Lillian, Alexis, and those we now raise before you in our hearts. We pray for those affected by the Covid virus in mind, body or spirit. Grant them healing and wholeness. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Holy God, you offer us citizenship in heaven. Unite communities of faith who are divided over earthly things, that following the way of your Son, they may set aside grudges and serve their neighbors with generosity and love. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Holy God, you are our light and our salvation. We give thanks for the saints who have gone before us. Help us to trust in you as they did and to live according to their example. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Receive the prayers of your people and draw all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus, who leads us from death to life. Amen.
* LORD'S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
Please place your offering in the plate near the Sanctuary door any time during or following worship. Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our website: stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org or sent by mail to
St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.
* OFFERING PRAYER
* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift the to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way to everlasting life. And so with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
* HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
* INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come and be nourished by the gift of our Lord and know the God of life and love.
COMMUNION SONG
May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace. Amen.
CONGREGATION HYMN Around You, O Lord Jesus (ELW 468)
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*BLESSING
The God of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, lavish you with grace,
illumine your path, and increase your joy, today and always. Amen.
* SENDING SONG Lead Me, Guide Me (ELW 768)
DISMISSAL - Go in peace. Care for others as God cares for you. Thanks be to God.
The Eternal Candle is sponsored for the month of March by the Shortt family in memory of Beatrice and Edwin Shortt.
Mid-Week Lenten Services
Each service, using Bread of Life series, will be Dinner Church with more traditional hymns. The time of Dinner Church – 5:30 PM. The Host church will decide their menu. The offering will go towards Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
3/12 at Immanuel, Norwood, Pr. Marie
3/19 at Holy Spirit, Secane Pr. Marie
3/26 at St. Timothy’s, Aston Pr. Scott
4/2 at St. Matthew, Springfield Pr. Terri
4/9 at St. John’s, Folcroft Pr. Terri
YOU CAN HELP! You can be a good steward AND get your grocery shopping done. Did you know that if you purchase a grocery food gift card from St. John’s, our congregation will receive 5% of all sales of gift cards. Please see MaryAnne Rossi if you wish to purchase and gift cards. Thank you for helping us raise that 5% for helping to continue our ministry.
Each week, we collect food for our hungry neighbors in need in our SHARING GOD'S BOUNTY WAGON. Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Please consider making a donation of a food item each week. If you are in need of food, please notify Pastor Wende and she will let you know what we have available.
The Social Ministry Committee would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for small fundraising and/or social ministry events that we could pull off with minimal effort. Challenge us with your ideas!!
With our church building getting older, we need everyone’s eyes and ears to help keep her in good repair. If you see any problems like a burnt out light bulb, please let Barb or Bud know or drop a note in the offering plate on Sunday. We need to get a jump on current or upcoming problems.
Our Financial Response (February)
CURRENT
Budgeted costs per month $ 7,263.55
Offering last month $ 4,483.14
Budget required to date (2 months) $.. 14,527.10
Total received to date $ 9,370.28
MISSION SUPPORT
Budget required to date (2 months) $ 4,800.00
Total received to date $ 700.44
Please continue to support St. John's. Our expenses continue each month.
Your offering and tithes may be made on line through our website: stjohnslutheranfolcroft.org or sent by mail to
St. John’s Lutheran church, 1500 Glen Avenue, Folcroft, PA 19032.
