Order of Worship
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
who journeys with us these forty days,
and sustains us with the gift of grace.
Amen.
Let us acknowledge before God and one another
our need for repentance and God’s mercy.
+ Silence is kept for reflection. +
Holy God,
we confess to you our faults and failings.
Too often we neglect and do not trust your holy word;
we take for ourselves instead of giving to others;
we spoil rather than steward your creation;
we cause hurt though you call us to heal;
we choose fear over compassion.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
as we seek to follow in your way of life.
Amen.
Hear the good news:
God so loved the world that God gave the only Son,
so that all may receive life.
This promise is for you!
God embraces you with divine mercy,
☩ forgives you in Christ’s name,
and revives you in the Spirit’s power.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN A Mighty Fortress (ELW #503 + Verses 1, 2 & 4)
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a sword and shield victorious;
he breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
and wins salvation glorious.
The old evil foe,
Sworn to work us woe,
With dread craft and might
he arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
2 No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
whom God himself elected.
Ask who this may be:
Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus our Lord,
God’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
4 God’s Word forever shall abide,
no thanks to foes, who fear it;
for God himself fights by our side
with weapons of the Spirit.
If they take our house,
goods, fame, child, or spouse,
wrench our life away,
they cannot win the day.
The kingdom’s ours forever!
Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE: This is the Day (W&P 141)
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made, that the Lord has
made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this the day that the Lord has
made.
Music © 1997 Scripture in Song, admin. Music Services. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Lord God, our strength, the struggle between good and evil rages within and around us, and the devil and all the forces that defy you tempt us with empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your word, and when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
READINGS
FIRST READING Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7, NRSV
+ Human beings were formed with great care, to be in relationship with the creator, creation, and one another. The serpent’s promise to the first couple that their eyes would be opened led, ironically, to the discovery only that they were naked. +
The first reading is from Genesis beginning at the 2nd chapter.
15The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
3:1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Word of God, Word of Life.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 32
We will now read responsively from Psalm 32.
1Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
2Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my groaning all day long.
4For your hand was heavy upon me day and night;
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5Then 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.
6Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble;
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
7You 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.
9Do 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.”
10Great are the tribulations of the wicked;
but mercy embraces those who trust | in the Lord.
11Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord;
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
SECOND READING Romans 5:12-19
+ Through Adam’s disobedience, humanity came under bondage to sin and death, from which we cannot free ourselves. In Christ’s obedient death, God graciously showers on us the free gift of liberation and life. +
The second reading from Romans, beginning at the 5th chapter:
1 12Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned—13sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.
15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL Matthew 4:1-11, NRSV
+ Jesus experiences anew the temptations that Israel faced in the wilderness. As the Son of God, he endures the testing of the evil one. +
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, beginning at the 4th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord!
1Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY Oh, Love, How Deep (ELW #322 + Verses 1, 3 & 5)
1 Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high,
beyond all thought and fantasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortal’s sake!
3 For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore;
for us temptation sharp he knew;
for us the tempter overthrew.
4 For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought,
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself, but us.
Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Sustained by God’s abundant mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
+ A brief silence +
You alone are God. Sustain your church in times of wilderness. Give vision and wisdom to bishops, their staff, and all entrusted with the ministry of administration. Counsel all who faithfully lead your people into the future. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You create verdant gardens and expansive deserts. Tend to the needs of every living creature. Bless those who work in fields and orchards, that the world is nourished by the fruits of their labor. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You know our temptations. Sustain those who govern and legislate. Instill in them a sense of your justice and righteousness, that equity and peace would pervade all the regions and nations of the world. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You are a hiding place for all in distress. Draw near to exiles, and accompany all refugees and immigrants, especially children who travel alone. In times of trouble, trauma, or illness, surround your people with your steadfast love especially Laura Occhiogrosso, Bob Sarro, Tom Sanfedele, Brian Sherwood, Phil Hartman, Susan Martin, Rhonda Winters, Carol Lynch, Valerie Jones-Washington, Brian Sherwood, Jonathan Hussain, Heather Chittum, Bob Buckley, Heidi Neumark, Lynn Zernickow, Klohe Goetz, Francesca Girodano, and the family of Tina Burns. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You offer abundance to all. Bless the ministries of hospitality in this place. Care for those who tend to the needs of others, especially worship ushers, coffee hour hosts, and Sunday school teachers. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You inspire joy and celebration. We rejoice and pray for all those who celebrate birthdays or anniversaries this month: John and Gloria Daxland, Tatyana Rajvali, Sam Lewis, Susan Downey, Amelia Calderon, Diane Gilroy Catalina Ann Berg, and Mary Ng.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We rejoice in your justice. End racism and oppression in our world. Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted. Reconcile nations and peoples in conflict. Help us pray for our enemies. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You call us to care for ourselves and one another. Be with all who are struggling with extended periods of illnesses this winter. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You alone are God. We praise you for the faithful departed in every age. Unite our prayers with theirs, until our wilderness journey is complete, and we rest in you. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your steadfast love and your promise to renew your whole creation; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
SHARING OF CHRIST’S PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always!
And also with you!
Let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another.
OFFERING MESSAGE
Please consider continuing to mail in your offering or giving online! We continue to have expenses that need to be covered during this time. We are most grateful for your generosity.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
OFFERTORY HYMN Give Thanks (W&P #41)
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,”
let the poor say, “I am rich,”
because of what the Lord has done for us.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,”
let the poor say, “I am rich,”
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks!
Text and music © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/ASCAP. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of good gifts,
receive these and all our offerings
as we present them in faithful service
for the sake of your gospel.
Prepare our hearts to receive you in this meal
as you pour out your very presence
through Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life.
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
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.
PREFACE
It is indeed right our duty and our joy that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in him.
By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son.
Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, now and forever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
forever and ever.
Amen.
COMMUNION
Come and receive Jesus, our strength in the wilderness.
TABLE BLESSING & COMMUNION PRAYER
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Embodied God,
at your table, we have tasted the goodness of Jesus.
With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise,
empower us to hear the needs of our neighbors
and touch the world with your love.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
Our Lenten Bible Study will begin on February 20th at 10am and 7pm and conclude on April 24, 2023. We will take a deep dive into the Gospel of John. Books are $15. NOTE: We will not meet on 3/27 or 4/10.
GIRL SCOUTS
The girl scouts are collecting food for the All Saints Food Pantry through April. If you would like to contribute to their efforts please bring food donations to the stage, downstairs in the fellowship hall.
THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS
Please consider directing your Thrivent Choice Dollars to Holy Trinity if you are a Thrivent member. Holy Trinity is grateful for these funds and the ministry we are able to do with them. Designating funds happens at no cost to you. The deadline is March 31st. Please contact Ken Henyan with questions or for more information.
ANNIVERSARIES
Do you have an anniversary coming up this year? Let us know! On the last Sunday of each month we want to celebrate with you, just like we do with birthdays. Fill out an anniversary form on the table in the narthex or in the literature rack outside the door to the office and let us know so we can send you a card!
COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, March 14th @ 7:30 pm
WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
Saturday, March 18th @ 3:00 pm
Other announcements are located in the downloadable bulletin at the top of this webpage.
BLESSING
God, the giver of love,
☩ Christ, the resurrection and the life,
and the Holy Spirit of rebirth
bless you in this Lenten journey.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN: Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer (ELW #618+ Verses 1, 2 & 3 )
1 Guide me ever, great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
2 Open now the crystal fountain
where the healing waters flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,
shield me with your mighty arm,
shield me with your mighty arm.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs and praises, songs and praises,
I will raise forevermore,
I will raise forevermore.
Text © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc., giamusic.com. All rights reserved.
DISMISSAL
What is our Mission? Welcoming all to grow in faith;
living Christ’s message of serving and loving neighbors
near and far.
Go in peace. Serve in love.
Thanks be to God.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose 