St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Holy Communion on the Second Sunday in Lent, 10:30 a.m.

March 13, 2022

The Second Sunday in Lent

The color purple, used for the vestments and paraments in Lent, symbolizes somberness and solemnity. Crosses and images of our Lord and the saints are veiled with purple cloth during Lent.

FIRST READING: In Genesis 12, God promises Abram land, descendants, and blessing. But by chapter 15, none of these promises have come to fruition. In response to Abram’s anxious questioning, God repeats his covenant promise that Abram’s descendants will inherit the land, and God ratifies this covenant promise. Despite his and Sarai’s advanced age, Abram puts his trust in God’s promise. Until his death, he will remain a sojourner in the land, owning only his family burial plot as a confirmation of the promise. He receives a son from God, Isaac. From this family comes the people of Israel, the people of Jesus.

SECOND READING: Paul encourages the Philippians to imitate the faithful lives of those who trust Christ and to avoid the ways of the enemies of the cross. Those who do not embrace the suffering of the cross close the door to the transformation Christ offers them.

GOSPEL READING: In the midst of doubt, we may, like Abram/Abraham, trust in God’s promises of forgiveness of sin, deliverance from evil, and resurrection from the dead. When Jesus is told to flee from Herod, he puts his faith in his Father, knowing that although he will be put to death, God will keep his promises to him. There are others, however, who put their trust in political alliances and weapons of war. These are the ones Jesus refers to when he speaks of ‘Jerusalem.’ He mourns their failure to take shelter in God’s promises.

OPENING MUSIC

Thy Holy Wings - J. M. Strobel

Blessed Be the God of Israel - Paul Manz

CONFESSION

(Although God’s forgiveness of sins is available to Christians at all times, it is not announced in public worship during the season of Lent, as a reminder that the entire season of Lent is one of repentance. Lent concludes and the Great Three Days begin with the pronouncement of forgiveness on Maundy Thursday.)

Stand

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

O my God, in you I trust.

You are the God of my salvation;

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

In you I hope all the day long.

O my God, in you I trust.

Remember, Lord, your compassion and love,

for they are from everlasting.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;

O my God, in you I trust.

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

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

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

The almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon, forgiveness,

and remission of all your sins. Amen

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 most

grievous fault; wherefore I pray God Almighty to have mercy on

me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen

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

WHYMN Blessed Be the God of Israel Blue WOV 725

The text may not be reproduced here.

APOSTOLIC 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.

KYRIE ELEISON

Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved Green LBW 96

The text may not be reproduced here.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Eternal God, it is your glory always to have mercy.

Bring back all who have erred and strayed from your ways;

lead them again to embrace in faith the truth of your Word

and to hold it fast;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

Abram believed the LORD,

and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Genesis 15:6

Sit

FIRST READING Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” ²But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” ⁴But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” ⁵He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” ⁶And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

⁷Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” ⁸But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” ⁹He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” ¹⁰He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. ¹¹And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
¹²As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
¹⁷When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. ¹⁸On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 27

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then | shall I fear?*

The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom then shall I | be afraid?

² When evildoers came upon me to eat | up my flesh,*

it was they, my foes and my adversaries,

who stum- | bled and fell.

³ Though an army should en- | camp against me,*

yet my heart shall not | be afraid;

⁴ and though war should rise | up against me,*

yet will I put my | trust in him.

⁵ One thing have I asked of the Lord; one | thing I seek;*

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days | of my life;

⁶ to behold the fair beauty | of the Lord*

and to seek him | in his temple.

⁷ For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe | in his shelter;*

he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling

and set me high up- | on a rock.

⁸ Even now he lifts | up my head*

above my enemies | round about me.

⁹ Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation

with sounds | of great gladness;*

I will sing and make music | to the Lord.

¹⁰ Hearken to my voice, O Lord, | when I call;*

have mercy on me and | answer me.

¹¹ You speak in my heart and say, | "Seek my face."*

Your face, Lord, | will I seek.

¹² Hide not your | face from me,*

nor turn away your servant | in displeasure.

¹³ You have been my helper; cast me | not away;*

do not forsake me, O God of | my salvation.

¹⁴ Though my father and my moth- | er forsake me,*

the Lord | will sustain me.

¹⁵ Show me your | way, O Lord;*

lead me on a level path, because | of my enemies.

¹⁶ Deliver me not into the hand of my | adversaries,*

for false witnesses have risen up against me,

and also those | who speak malice.

¹⁷ What if I had not believed that I should

see the goodness | of the Lord*

in the land | of the living!

¹⁸ Oh, tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;

be strong, and he shall com- | fort your heart;*

wait patiently | for the Lord. R

SECOND READING Philippians 3:17—4:1

¹⁷Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. ¹⁹Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. ²⁰But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.

^4:1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE John 3:16 Setting by John W. Becker

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone

who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.

Gospel Luke 13:31-35

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

³¹At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³²He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Sit

Choir Anthem Sing, My Soul

Text/ Anonymous

Music/ James Buffaloe

Sing, my soul, his wondrous love: who from yon bright throne above,

Ever watchful o’er our race, still to us extends his grace.

Heav’n and earth by him were made, all is by his scepter swayed.

What are we that he should show so much love to us below?

And to make our safety sure, guides us by his spirit pure.

God the merciful and good bought us with the Savior’s blood.

Sing, my soul, oh, sing his wondrous love.

Sermon Pastor Frontz

Stand

W Hymn of the DaY Thy Holy Wings Blue WOV 741

Choir/ Stanza 1

The text may not be reproduced here.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Nicene Creed.

X At the words ‘For us and for our salvation,’ and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a solemn bow is appropriate to praise the incarnation of our Lord.

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.

X For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. X

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.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He 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

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Silence is kept.

Father, strengthen your Church, and confirm us in the covenant you have made with us in baptism. Give us faith and confidence in your promises, and transform our humiliation into glory. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Renew our congregation in this season of penitence. Grant us grace to observe and imitate the lives of those who live according to the good example of the saints. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Keep safe in your shelter all those afflicted by war, terror, scarcity, injustice, poverty of body, mind, and spirit. Bless our nation and our leaders, and guide all who hold responsibility for others.

The pastor names the nations and peoples in special need.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Sustain the sick, comfort the grieving, and bless the dying. Renew the faith of those who cannot find the way home to you. May these for whom we pray and all those in any need see your goodness in the land of the living.

The pastor reads the names of those people for whom we have special concern.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

In our participation at your altar, empower us to continue our forty-day journey to the cross. With all those who have believed your promises, expecting the revelation of our Savior Jesus Christ, bring us to that day when all your people rejoice in the new Jerusalem, at peace and rest. Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The pastor concludes the prayers:

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Peace

Since we are justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has given us access to this grace in which we stand. Romans 5:1-2a

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

OFFERTORY Psalm 116:12-13, 18-19 Setting by Kevin Norris

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord. I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

We do not presume to come to your table, O Lord,

trusting in our own righteousness,

but in your manifold and great mercies.

We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table.

But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.

Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,

so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,

and so to drink his blood,

that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord.

Through him all of your promises are fulfilled; and as we wait for the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls, we share in Christ’s sufferings that we may rejoice in the power of his resurrection.

And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God.

You created us in your image;

and in the mystery of your great love for us

you sent your only Son, Jesus Christ,

born of Mary by the power of the Spirit.

Led by that Spirit he was tempted as we are tempted;

He proclaimed your forgiveness to sinners;

he loved even his enemies.

Despised and rejected,

he bore the alienation of the world

as he stretched out his arms on the cross;

and by this all-sufficient sacrifice

he has drawn all people to himself,

giving his life as a ransom for many.

As we gather in his name and celebrate his testament,

send your Spirit upon us

and upon these gifts of bread and wine,

that they may be for us

the very body and blood of your Son,

Christ Jesus, redeemer of the world.

In the night in which He was betrayed

our Lord Jesus took bread and 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.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God.

By your Son's life-giving passion and death,

and by His resurrection and ascension into glory,

our Lord Jesus continually intercedes for us

and for all he has claimed as his own.

As we now share together

this Bread of Life and this Cup of Salvation,

unite us with all your faithful people

in the forgiveness of sins,

and bring us, at length, to that eternal celebration of life

at the Lamb's high feast.

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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 Matthew 6:9-15

Lord, come to us and cleanse us,

come to us and heal us,

come to us and strengthen us,

and grant that, having received you,

we may never be separated from you,

but continue yours forever.

We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.

Sit

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated.

When the pastor says, ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.

WDISTRIBUTION HYMN

Around You, O Lord Jesus Green LBW 496

Choir/ Stanza 2

The text may not be reproduced here.

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

WPOST-COMMUNION HYMN

Strengthen for Service, Lord Green LBW 218

1 Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands

that holy things have taken;

and let the ears that heard your Word

to falsehood never waken.

2 The tongues that sang your holy name

now purge of all deception;

keep bright the eyes that saw your love

and sharpen their perception.

3 And may the feet that walked your courts

be never lured to wander;

but lead the faithful nourished here

to journey on in splendor.

Text: Syriac Liturgy of Malabar; tr. The English Hymnal, 1906, adapt.

O Lord, you have called us to be your witnesses.

Cleanse us from all unbelief and sloth

and fill us with hope and zeal,

that we may do your work,

and bear your cross,

and bide your time,

and see your glory.

BENEDICTION

Almighty God, Father, X Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

Amen

WCLOSING HYMN

On My Heart Imprint Your Image Green LBW 102

On my heart imprint your image,

blessed Jesus, king of grace,

that life's troubles nor its pleasures

ever may your work erase.

Let the clear inscription be:

Jesus, crucified for me,

is my life, my hope's foundation,

all my glory and salvation!

Text: Thomas H. Kingo, 1634-1703; tr. Peer O. Strömme, 1856-1921, alt.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

Sun/ Mar 13 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

Mon/ Mar 14 Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM

Wed/ Mar 16 Evening Prayer, 6:30 PM, in person and livestream

Thu/Mar 17 ZOOM Bible Study, 7:30 PM, livestream

Fri/ Mar 18 Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM

Sat/ Mar 19 NA Meeting 11 AM

WORSHIP 6:30 PM

Sun/ Mar 20 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Church Council Meeting following worship

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Additional liturgical material from Common Worship: Times and Seasons,

and Foretaste of the Feast to Come: Devotions on Holy Communion, by Philip H. Pfatteicher,