Lenten Worship 2021

The Hands of the Passion – March 3, 2021

Order of Service: Prayer at the Close of Day Compline Service

P: The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and peace at the last.

C: (sing) Amen.

P: It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

C: (sing) To sing praise to your name, O Most High;

P: To herald your love in the morning,

C: (sing) Your truth at the close of day.

P: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

C: (sing) Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Evening Hymn 444 If You But Trust in God to Guide You

1 If you but trust in God to guide you And place your confidence in him,

He’ll give you strength and stand beside you When days are dreary, dark, and dim.

For those who trust his changeless love Build on the rock that does not move.

2 How can these anxious worries aid you, These never-ceasing moans and sighs?

Will not his wings of mercy shade you Whenever troubled times arise?

Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.

3 Be patient and await his leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content;

Then take whate’er your Father’s pleasure And his discerning love have sent.

Doubt not; your inmost wants are known To him who chose you for his own.

4 Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving, Perform your duties faithfully,

And trust his Word; though undeserving, You’ll find his promise true to be.

God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted him indeed.

Text: Georg C. Neumark, 1621-81, abr.; tr. composite.

Confession of Sins

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C: who made heaven and earth.

P: Let us confess our sins in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence for self-examination

P: I confess to God Almighty, before the whole company of heaven, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed by my fault,

by my own fault, by my own grievous fault; wherefore I pray God Almighty to have mercy on me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life.

C: The almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon, forgiveness, and remission of all your sins.

P: Amen.

C: I confess to God Almighty, before the whole company of heaven, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed by my fault,

by my own fault, by my own grievous fault; wherefore I pray God Almighty to have mercy on me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life.

P: The almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon, forgiveness, and remission of all your sins.

C: Amen.

Psalm 91

The shelter of the love of God is my refuge and my light:

I trust in him to guide my days and protect me through the night

Because I come to him in love and trust him in all things

He answers when I call his name: he shelters me with his wings.

My faith is in the Lord alone, his Word my help and shield.

When thousand stumble by my side, his faithfulness is revealed.

Because I come to him in love and trust him in all things

He answers when I call his name: he shelters me with his wings.

Ever safe within his love I'll be secure through all my days,

The wonder of his mighty love always fills my heart with praise.

Because I come to him in love and trust him in all things

He answers when I call his name: he shelters me with his wings.

Lesson (Passion history)

While they were eating, on the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He said, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

“Dear children, I am going to be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!”

Jesus replied, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Simon, Simon, pay attention: Satan has asked to have you all, so that he may sift you as wheat. But I prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brothers.”

Peter answered him, “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Peter said to him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same.

He said to them, “When I sent you out without money bag, traveler’s bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they said.

Then he told them, “But now, let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ Indeed, what is written about me is going to have its fulfillment.”

They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”

He said to them, “That is enough.”

Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

After they sang a hymn, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, to the Mount of Olives, where there was a garden called Gethsemane. He and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples.

When he reached the place, Jesus told his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray. Keep praying that you may not enter into temptation.”

Then he took Peter, James, and John along with him and began to be troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”

He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”

When he rose from prayer, he went to the disciples and found them sleeping as a result of sorrow.

He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not strong enough to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to pass from me unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Again he returned and found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what they should answer him.

He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time. He said the same words as before.

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. As he was in agony, he prayed more fervently. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise. Let us go. Look, my betrayer is near!” While Jesus was still speaking, suddenly Judas (one of the Twelve) arrived. With him was a large crowd with lanterns, torches, swords, and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas was leading them.

Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus told them.

Judas, the betrayer, was standing with them. When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they backed away and fell to the ground.

Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the statement he had spoken: “I did not lose any of those you have given me.”

Now the betrayer had given them a sign: “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him.” Immediately he went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Then they advanced, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, should we strike with a sword?” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

But Jesus responded, “Stop! No more of this! Put your sword back into its place, because all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you not realize that I could call on my Father, and at once he would provide me with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.

At that same time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs as if I were a robber? Day after day I was sitting in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

The company of soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, because he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews, “It is better that one man die for the people.”

P: Into your hands I commend my spirit.

C: (sing) Into your hands I commend my spirit.

P: You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth

C: (sing) Into your hands I commend my spirit.

P: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

C: (sing) Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Hymn 109 When O’er My Sins I Sorrow

1 When o’er my sins I sorrow, Lord, I will look to you

And hence my comfort borrow That you were slain for me.

Your precious blood was offered For me, oh, most unworthy,

To take away my guilt.

2 Oh, what a marv’lous off’ring! Behold, the Master spares

His servants, and their suff’ring And grief for them he bears.

Our God comes down from heaven; For me, his guilty creature,

He deigns as man to die.

3 My manifold transgression Henceforth can harm me none

Since Jesus’ bloody passion For me God’s grace has won.

His blood my debt has canceled; Of hell and all its torments

I am no more afraid.

4 Therefore I will forever Give thanks continually,

O Jesus, loving Savior, For what you did for me.

I’ll spend my breath in praises For your sad cry, your suff’rings,

Your wounds, your guiltless death.

Text: Justus Gesenius, 1601-73, abr.; tr. composite.

Sermon: Hands of Misguided Zeal (Peter) John18:4-11

⁴ Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”

⁵ “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus told them.

Judas, the betrayer, was standing with them. ⁶ When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they backed away and fell to the ground.

⁷ Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

⁸ “I told you that I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” ⁹ This was to fulfill the statement he had spoken: “I did not lose any of those you have given me.”

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me?”

Prayer

P: Hear my prayer, O Lord.

C: (sing) Listen to my cry.

P: Keep me as the apple of your eye.

C: (sing) Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

P: In righteousness I shall see you.

C: (sing) When I awake, your presence will give me joy.

Prayer of the Church

Lord’s Prayer

C: (sing) 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; Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.

Amen.

Hymn 333 Abide, O Dearest Jesus

1 Abide, O dearest Jesus, Among us with your grace

That Satan may not harm us Nor we to sin give place.

2 Abide, O dear Redeemer, Among us with your Word

And thus now and hereafter True peace and joy afford.

3 Abide with heav’nly brightness Among us, precious Light;

Your truth direct and keep us From error’s gloomy night.

4 Abide with richest blessings Among us, bounteous Lord;

Let us in grace and wisdom Grow daily through your Word.

5 Abide with your protection Among us, Lord, our Strength,

Lest world and Satan fell us And overcome at length.

6 Abide, O faithful Savior, Among us with your love;

Grant steadfastness and help us To reach our home above.

Text: Josua Stegmann, 1588-1632; tr. August Crull, 1845-1923, alt.

Gospel Canticle

P: Guide us waking, O Lord,

C: (sing) And guard us sleeping:

P: That awake we may watch with Christ,

C: (sing) And asleep we may rest in peace.

C: (sing) In peace, Lord, in peace you let your servant now depart according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for every people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. In peace, in peace.

Blessing

P: The almighty and merciful Lord - the Father, the Son,† and the Holy Spirit - bless us and keep us.

C: Amen.