Worship Service for February 26, 2023, at 11 AM

Red Letter Challenge – “Being”

Welcome

Faith: This Is Who We Are: Growth Groups

P: As we gather, today, let us cleanse our hearts and our consciences by confessing our sin to God.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Today, we confess our sins by singing the song, “Lord, I Need You.”

Song of Confession: Lord, I Need You

Lord I come, I confess. Bowing here I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart. You’re the one that guides my heart

Chorus:
Lord, I need You, oh I need You. Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free. Holiness is Christ in me

(Chorus)

So teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You.
Jesus You’re my hope and stay

Chorus:
Lord, I need You, oh I need You. Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, how I need You

P: The Lord has heard your confession. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see.

T’was grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,
than when we’ve first begun.

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading – Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – Abide With Me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Sermon – Series: The Red Letter Challenge – “Being”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Offering

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song – Joy of the Lord

Though the tears may fall my song will rise,
my song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail my song will rise,
my song will rise to You
While there’s breath in my lungs, I will praise You Lord
In the dead of night I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
Though the waters rise I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there’s hope in this heart, I will praise You Lord

Chorus:

The joy of the Lord is my strength.
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance, in the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength

Verse 2:

When I cannot see You with my eyes, let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine, let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love, I will praise You Lord
How You shine with glory Lord of light, I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive, I am alive with You
There is strength when I say “I will praise You Lord”

(Chorus)

When sorrow comes my way, You are the shield around me
Always You remain my courage in the fight
I hear You call my name, Jesus I am coming
Walking on the waves, reaching for Your light

(Chorus)

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, God Squad (Youth Group)
Faith Lutheran Church, Pizza and Games

Mar 4, 9 AM – 1:30 PM, Women’s Mini-Retreat
Our Savior Lutheran Church (Sign up with Cheri @ 716-560-6905)

Mar 5, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Red Letter Challenge Small Groups

Feb 28 @7PM at Renee’s
Feb 28 @7PM Online
Mar 4 @10AM at the McConnell’s
Do you need another day/time? Let Pastor know.