WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
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.
(Silence for reflection)
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.
OPENING HYMN: #606 OUR FATHER, WE HAVE WANDERED
APOSTOLIC 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.
KYRIE page 147 (front of hymnal)
HYMN OF PRAISE page 149
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with your mercy. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING: JOSHUA 5:9-12
9 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day. 10 While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the Passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11 On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year “Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM: PSALM 32 (please read responsively)
1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
7 You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye.
9 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.”
10 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
SECOND READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: LUKE 15:1-3, 11b-32
The Holy Gospel according to Luke the 15th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”’ The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Kurt Bockoven
HYMN OF THE DAY: #807 COME, THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
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 (please answer “Hear Our Prayer”)
OFFERATORY
Please be seated. Offering plates will be passed during this time.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: God Gracious Provider, you set your immense treasures among us, opening your heart to the world. As we prepare to feast on your bountiful love, deepen our commitment to sharing those treasures with others, through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION / LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them 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… and join their unending hymn: (Please sing:153) 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.
In the night he was betrayed…. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Our Father who art in heaven….
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
All who are hungry, come! The feast of grace is spread.
(All who hunger for God’s grace are welcome at this meal. White grape juice and gluten free wafers are available for those who need them. Children who have not had first communion training are welcome to come for a blessing.)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray: Generous Host, you have shared your feast with us and made us new. Send us now to set tables of love and grace in our communities, that your liberating love might nourish the world into freedom, in the name of the crucified one, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
God our tender parent, God the crucified one, God the reconciling Spirit, ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen
CLOSING HYMN: #779 AMAZING GRACE (v. 1-4)
DISMISSAL: Go in peace. Care for others as God cares for you.
Thanks be to God.
Welcome guests, we’re glad you’re here!
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP AFTER SERVICE TODAY. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Worship & Music April 1, 6:30 pm. Mid-Week Lenten Services Wednesdays, April 2 & 9. Meal 5:30, Service 6:30 pm. Quilters April 7 &14. Marth Leah April 8, 2 pm at Drucies. Stewardship April 8, 4:30 pm. Miriam Circle April 9, 10 am. Palm Sunday April 13. Centerpiece Class April 15, 6:30 pm. Register/pay prior. Church Council April 16 at 6:30 pm. Maundy Thursday Service April 17, 6:30 pm. Good Friday Service April 18, 6:30 pm. EASTER SUNDAY Services April 20, 7 and 9 am. Bible Study Wednesdays 8:15 at Gabby Lou’s. Prayer Chain – Contact Janet Ewalt.
Thank You to Our Assistants: Zwart Family Helpers with Brooke & Madilyn as Acolytes, Peter & Becky Olafsen Helpers/Ushers, Peter Olafsen Reader, Pam Hoppe Altar Guild, Jim Harstad Video; Reagan Rose Piano, Kinzee Hovey & Shelle Johnson Sunday School Teachers, Sandy Strozyk & Scott Snyder Offering Counters. Laurie Magnus Coffee Fellowship.
Please Remember Our Homebound and Senior Care Residents: Merle Roelofs, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Mel Mikkelson.
Please Keep in Prayers: Carole Engen, Bernie Hurley, Lu Ommen, Marlin Easler, Sondra Taubert, Amy Timmerman, Brad Osmonson.
Liturgy taken from sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB134626. CCLI Streaming License #20959486
GREENFIELD LUTHERAN CHURCH ~ 507-886-3272 ~ office@greenfieldlutheran.com
