WORSHIP MATERIALS

Order of Service

Sunday, March 9, 2025 10:00 am

Ringing of the Bell

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements

Confession (by Heinrich Bullinger, successor to Zwingli as pastor of Zurich)

I, a poor sinful person, confess myself before you, my Lord God and Maker, that sadly I have sinned much, with my senses, thoughts, words, and deeds, as you, eternal God, know very well. I regret them and beg your grace. Amen.

Pardon

Passing of the Peace

*Opening Hymn:                  25 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 91)

Leader: Those dwelling in the hiding place of God Most High shall tarry where in the shadow of his grace his goodness will not vary.

Congregation: My fortress when I am beset, my rock - I trust him ever, for he will from the fowler's net his faithful ones deliver.

L: He'll save you from the pestilence, his wings as shelter lending. His pinions are your sure defense, his truth a shield unbending.

C: At night you will not fear the gloom, nor, during day, the arrow, nor havoc that may spread at noon, nor nights of plagues and sorrow.

L: A thousand at your side may fall, but you'll be safely guarded; when tens of thousands die in all, you'll see the foe rewarded.

C: Since you the Lord your refuge made, your rock and habitation, no evil shall your tents invade, nor plague and tribulation.

L: His hosts of angels God commands for evermore to serve you. They will support you on their hands and from all danger swerve you,

C: lest ever you your foot should dash against a stone or stumble. The deadly serpent you will crush; the lion you will humble. Amen.

Opening Prayer (adapted and inspired by Deuteronomy 26:1-11)

Today we declare to the Lord our God that we have come into the land that the Lord gave to our ancestors. Abraham and Sarah were our spiritual ancestors; they went down into Egypt and lived there as aliens, few in number, and there they became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders.

Likewise, the Lippe pilgrims were our founding ancestors; they left the lands of their people in the German Confederation longing for religion free from state control, as promised in America, where they prayed, they could hold the Reformed faith and follow the Heidelberg Catechism without interference. God blessed our travels, and though arriving as aliens, we made a home in Town Herman; founded this house of God and the Mission House School; thus, we were blessed by God and are a blessing to many others, loving God through acts of piety and loving neighbors through acts of mercy.

God has brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore we, together with the people of God and the residents and aliens who reside among us, bow down before the Lord our God and celebrate all the Lord our God has given to us. Amen.

*Hymn:                                65 - A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Reading of God’s Word

Romans 10:8-13

Luke 4:1-13

Children’s Sermon

Special Music    Largo from Concerto in C Major by Antonio Vivaldi.

Sermon                             Keeping a Heidelberg-Approved Lent

*Response of Faith                           359 - The Apostles' Creed

Prayers of the Community, for the Church, and the World

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Offering

*Doxology & Prayer of Dedication

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn:                                635 - Faith of Our Fathers

*Benediction

Postlude

*Indicates those who are comfortably able may please stand