Lenten Worship 2022 - The Crucial Hours -Prayer at the Close of Day – March 16, 2022

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

Amen.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praise to your name, O Most High,

to herald your love in the morning,

your truth at the close of day.

Hymn: 799 I Leave All Things to God’s Direction

1     I leave all things to God’s direction;
    he loves me both in joy and woe.
His will is good, sure his affection;
    his tender love is true, I know.
My fortress and my rock is he:
what pleases God, that pleases me.

2     God knows what must be done to save me;
    his love for me will never cease.
Upon his hands he did engrave me
    with purest gold of loving grace.
His will supreme must ever be:
what pleases God, that pleases me.

3     God gives me help in all temptation,
    his loving goal my soul to save.
Calm in the face of life’s frustration,
    all earthly trouble I will brave.
His will be done eternally:
what pleases God, that pleases me.

4     My God has all things in his keeping;
    he is my ever-faithful friend.
He gives me laughter after weeping,
    and all his ways in blessings end.
His love endures eternally:
what pleases God, that pleases me.

Text: tr. August Crull, 1845–1923, alt.; Salomo Franck, 1659–1725, abr.

Text: Public domain

Confession

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

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

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you

in our thoughts,

in our words,

in our deeds,

and in all that we have not done.

Forgive us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Deliver and restore us,

that we may rest in peace.

By the mercy of God we are redeemed by Jesus Christ,
and in him we are forgiven.
Let us rest in his peace until the rising of the sun,
when we shall serve him in newness of life.

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.

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.”

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father and to the T Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Sermon - They Bound Him, John 18:12 - Pastor Timmermann

Offering

Hymn: 422 A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

1     A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
    our guilt and evil bearing
and, laden with the sins of earth,
    none else the burden sharing,
goes patient on, grows weak and faint,
to slaughter led without complaint,
    that spotless life to offer;
bears shame and stripes and wounds and death,
anguish and mockery and saith,
    “Willing all this I suffer.”

2     This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great friend,
    the Lamb of God, our Savior;
him God the Father chose to send
    to gain for us his favor.
“Go forth, my Son,” the Father said,
“and free my children from their dread
    of guilt and condemnation.
The wrath and stripes are hard to bear,
but by your passion they will share
    the fruit of your salvation.”

3     “Yes, Father, yes, most willingly
    I’ll bear what you command me.
My will conforms to your decree;
    I’ll do what you have asked me.”
O wondrous Love, what have you done!
The Father offers up his Son,
    desiring our salvation.
O Love, how strong you are to save!
You make his bed within the grave
    who built the earth’s foundation.

4     From morn till eve, in all I do,
    I’ll praise you, Christ, my treasure.
To sacrifice myself for you
    shall be my aim and pleasure.
My stream of life shall ever be
a current flowing ceaselessly,
    your constant praise outpouring.
I’ll treasure in my memory,
O Lord, all you have done for me,
    your gracious love adoring.

Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr.

Prayer

Hear my prayer, O Lord;

listen to my cry.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.

In righteousness I shall see you;

when I awake, your presence will give me joy.

P: Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Lord’s Prayer (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 424 The Garden of Gethsemane

1     The Garden of Gethsemane—
    they’d often gathered there,
the Christ and his disciple friends,
    the sheep beneath his care.
But when the Shepherd needed them—
    “Come, watch and pray with me”—
their heavy hearts and eyes prevailed
in dark Gethsemane.

2     Gethsemane’s serenity,
    so pleasant in the past,
was shattered by a piercing cry.
    Our Savior stood aghast—
to see the curse inside the cup,
    to sense what soon would be
unleashed against his sinless soul
    beyond Gethsemane.

3     Gethsemane’s intensity,
    revealed in blood-like sweat,
led Christ to pray, for he would pay
    sin’s awful, crushing debt.
“My Father, find another way
    to set the sinner free.
Your will, not mine, be done,” he said
    in sad Gethsemane.

4     Gethsemane’s immensity
    can still be seen today.
The Father’s will was crystal clear:
    “There is no other way!
Move on, my Son; your death alone
    can save humanity.”
So, bound and destined for the cross,
    Christ left Gethsemane.

5     Gethsemane’s tranquility
    returned again that night;
the conflict moved to Calvary,
    where Jesus won the fight.
There is no cup for us to drink,
    no curse, no penalty—
to know the lavish love of God,
    recall Gethsemane!

Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963

Song of Simeon

Guide us waking, O Lord,

and guard us sleeping

that awake we may watch with Christ

and asleep we may rest in peace.

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 ev’ry people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.

Guide us waking, O Lord,

and guard us sleeping

that awake we may watch with Christ

and asleep we may rest in peace, in peace, in peace.

Let us praise the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Blessing

The almighty and merciful Lord—the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit—bless us and keep us.

Amen.

Acknowledgments

Prayer at the Close of Day from Christian Worship

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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