FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Tel: (519) 753-3833

Email:  faithlutheran1@bellnet.ca

Website: https://faithlutheranbrantford.com

4. SUNDAY IN LENT March 19, 2023

Gathering

Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, Announcements: Call to Worship: All Who Are Thirsty

Confession and Rest:

Holy God, we know that you created us in love, to enjoy this world and You, to serve your creation and your children. And we know that we do not always do your will.

With clenched hands, we can neither give nor receive. With eyes tight shut, we cannot see pain or beauty. With feet of clay, we cannot dance in joy or run to help.

We ask for your help and your power to change. We pray to be no longer

blinded by spiritual gifts, or suspicious of unfamiliar miracles.

Open our hands and eyes, move our feet, toward grace and hope and trust in

You. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Gathering Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light ELW 815

Prayer of the Day:

O God, Bend your ear to our prayers and come among us. Bring light into our lives and remind us to open our eyes to that which we turn away from. Accompany us as we see anew. Amen.

Word

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Response to Reading: Word of God, Word of life, Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation: Restore in Us O God ELW 328 (Verses 1-3)

Gospel: John 9:1-39

Response: Glory to you, O Lord.

Response to Reading: The Gospel of the Lord, Praise to you, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day: Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery ELW 334 (V1-3 & Lent 4 Words)

Prayers of Intercession:

Response to “Merciful God:” Receive Our Prayer.

Lord’s Prayer: p. 134

Offertory Hymn: Blessed be your Name

1. Blessed be your name when I’m found, in the desert place, though

I walk through the wilderness, Blessed be your name.

2. Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering, though

there’s pain in the offering, Blessed be your name.

Refrain: Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be your Glorious name.

Sharing of the Peace:

Learning in Lent: Structure of a Worship Service

Sending

Sending Blessing Song: The Peace of The Earth

The Peace of the Earth be with you, the peace of the heavens too. The Peace of the Rivers be with you, the peace of the oceans too. Deep Peace, falling over you. God’s Peace Growing in you.

Dismissal:

Go in Peace, we learn from Christ.

Thanks be to God

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COFFEE HOURS: Host(s) needed for April 2, 2023 (Palm Sunday)

LENTEN OFFERINGS: Special Lenten offering envelopes are available at both entrances. Lenten offerings this year are designated to CLWR for earthquake relief.

LABYRINTH PRAYER WALK: Each Wednesday through Lent (2-3:30 and 6:30-8pm), a Labyrinth will be set up in the church basement for any and all to come and use for a meditative time of movement and prayer. A prayer and short explanation by Vicar Bethan will kick off each of these sessions and the remainder is time for

quiet contemplation and individual meditation.

EASTER 2023

SERVICES:

Sunday April 2 – Palm Sunday Service at 10:30 am

Thursday April 6 – Maundy Thursday Service at 7 pm

Communion Service and Stripping of the Altar

Friday April 7 – Good Friday Service at 10:30 am

Sunday April 9 – Easter Celebration Service with Holy Communion

EASTER FLOWERS: If you would like to contribute to the purchase of flowers for Easter Sunday, you may do so through your offering envelope. If these flowers would be in memory of someone, please include a note indicating that.

Easter Choir: Practice today after the service

ROOF: The goal is to raise $22,000. You may contribute through your offering

envelope marked “roof”.

TODAY WE ARE PRAYING FOR:

Luke SplettstoesserJackieMarlene Sams and Ruby
David NeumannOtto PhilippPatty Davis
Scott HagglundStephen KovacsGladys Souliere
Florence SmithEberhard Poelzl 
Grace MuellerAdam Brown