Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 17, 2024

Worship Focus

The West Lutheran High School association theme for 2023-24 based on Ephesians 3:17-19 reminds us that we are to be “Rooted in Love.  

Love is an essential fruit of the Spirit that means everything to God.  Jesus summarized the law by saying we are to love God and love our neighbor.  Paul emphasized the necessity of love as the primary motivation for everything we do.  Christ’s love for us serves as fertile soil for our roots of faith.  Being firmly rooted in Christ’s love will serve us well as we seek to fulfill our lifelong goal to love God above all things and love our neighbor as ourselves. 

May our worship today help us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

THE COMMON SERVICE

HYMN (#283) Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening

M: In the name of the Father and of the  Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Confession

M: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

C: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

M: Let us confess our sins to the Lord.

C: Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should. I deserve your punishment both now and forever. 

But Jesus, my Savior, paid for my sins with his innocent suffering and death. Trusting in him, I pray: 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Silence for meditation and reflection

M: Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

HYMN (#379) “Amazing Grace”

THE WORD

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: O God, you have commanded us to love you above all things and our neighbors as ourselves. Grant us the Spirit to think and do what is pleasing in your sight, that our faith in you may never waver and our love for one another may not falter; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

FIRST READING Jeremiah 17:5–8

⁵This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man,    who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. ⁶That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. ⁷“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. ⁸They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM (#475) The Man Is Ever Blest

Second Reading  Ephesians 3:14–21

   ¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

   ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel  Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23

   ¹That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ²Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

   ¹⁸“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²²The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who 

hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of 

wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

M: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

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 fully 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 in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian 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.

HYMN (#104) Go to Dark Gethsemane

Sermon Text Hebrews 5:7–9

⁷During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

After the sermon, the congregation stands and sings:

C: (Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.

OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.

Please Stand

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Brief intercessory prayers may be added in a fitting place.

M: Eternal Father, your Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path. You inspired the Scriptures for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that your servants might be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

C: Lead us to love your Word more and more and to receive your message with great eagerness.

M: You have given us your Word that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name. Enable us to see the wonders of your love in Christ from the beginning to the end of your holy book.

C: Help us to see Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith.

M: Work in all your people, especially in parents, the resolve and patience to teach little children the simple truths about the Savior who loves them. Walk with us as we take our children to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb. Let them find Jesus in stories, songs, and prayers.

C: Move us to bring up our children in the training and instruction of the Lord.

M: Provide wisdom and commitment to teachers who train our young people in Sunday Schools and youth Bible classes. Deepen their knowledge of your Word as they prepare and share the lessons they teach. Move them to model a sincere devotion to the Scriptures. 

C: Lead us to plan for and support the Christian training of children.

M: We thank you for enabling our congregation to provide elementary and secondary education for our children. We know our schools are your special blessing, and we pray for the resolve to establish and maintain standards of excellence in all aspects of education. Move us to be generous in our offerings so that teachers may teach and students may learn in fitting surroundings. 

C: Lead us to provide Christian schools that reflect the immensity of your love.

M: Bless the schools and teachers who prepare public ministers of the gospel for service in our churches and around the world. Lead teachers and professors to be faithful to your Word and provide insights that enable them to pass on your truth to their students. Ignite the zeal of young men and women to be willing and eager to share the truths of Scripture with others. Move us to support with our prayers and gifts the schools our synod has established. 

C: We pray that you send workers in your harvest fields.

M: Work in us that we may find the lasting value of growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Lead us to be faithful in our personal study of the Scriptures and in participating in regular Bible classes. Rid us of all thoughts that Christian education ends in our youth. Make us life-long students of your precious Word. 

C: Lead us to believe that at every age your Word remains a lamp for our feet and a light to our path. 

M: How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your Word. Even when we are old and gray, lead us to meditate on your decrees that we may delight in your wonderful deeds.

C: Do good to your servants, Lord, according to your Word. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

C: 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.

Guests—The Lord’s Supper has been described as powerful medicine.  And so it is–it is the medicine of immortality.  And as we all know, when it comes to powerful medicine, there are a few things you should know before taking it.  We ask that our visitors first speak with our pastor to learn more about this powerful medicine of the Lord’s Supper before coming up.  We are eager to have you share with us in this great gift and to do so in a way that gives you great benefit!  

THE SACRAMENT

PREFACE

M: The Lord be with you.

C: (Sung) And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

C: (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

C: (Sung) It is good and right so to do.

M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who brought 

the gift of salvation to all people by his death on the tree of the cross, so that the devil, who overcame us by a tree would in turn by a tree be overcome. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

C: (Sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts: 

heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he 

who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and 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; this is my blood of the new covenant, 

which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: (Sung) Amen

O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD

C: (Sung) O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; 

have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; 

have mercy on us.

O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; 

grant us your peace. Amen.

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN (#106) Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain (#105) O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

THANKSGIVING

SONG OF SIMEON

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

M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. 

C: (Sung) And his mercy endures forever.

M: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: (Sung) Amen.

Blessing

M: The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and  give you peace.

C: Amen.

HYMN (#322) On What Has Now Been Sown

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT March 17, 2024

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

THE SCHEDULE   

Mon., March 18 7 p.m., Choir Practice

7 p.m., Church Council

Tues., March 19 NO Tuesday Bible Study

Wed., March 20 5-6:30 p.m., Soup Supper; 

7 p.m., Lenten Worship Service

Thurs., March 21 6:30 p.m., Catechism Class

Sat., March 23 4:30 p.m., Fishers set-up for breakfast (note time)

Next Sun., March 24: Greeters: Frank Family

Shut-In Visitors for March: Herman and Kathy Ernst

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

THANK YOU to Pastor Jon Ladner for sharing God’s Word with us this morning. Pastor Mark Kaesmeyer, Director of Mission Advancement at West Lutheran High School, will provide an update on West activities during our Bible study hour.

LWMS PLATE OFFERING/SPRING RALLY:  There will be a plate offering in support of LWMS. The Spring Rally of the Hannah Circuit LWMS (Lutheran Womens Missionary Society) will be on Sunday, April 7 from noon to 3 p.m. here at Immanuel. (See insert)   All women of Immanuel are members of Hannah Circuit and we need your help as we host this Rally. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex for anyone willing to help. 

FISHERS PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST: The Fishers Youth Group invites you to their 31^st annual Palm Sunday Breakfast after the Worship Service on March 24. 

LENTEN SERVICE:  The theme for this year is “The Lord’s Prayer.” On Wednesday Pastor Oehlke will preach on the 5th Petition: “Forgive us our Trespasses”. The service will be preceded by soup/bread supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A huge thank you to the Bakkes and Benzers for all their work this Lenten season, for Julie Gutknecht for helping bake the bread and the many helpers to lent a hand as needed and provided sweets/treats.

PASSOVER EVENT: at Redeeming Grace-Rogers begins at 4:00 p.m. on Palm Sunday, March 24^th. Please RSVP with Pastor Oehlke or go to rglc.org no later than Sunday March 17^th.  

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE AND POSTCARDS: There are postcards printed outlining Immanuel’s Holy Week schedule. If you’d like to send any out, they are available on the table in the narthex.

~March 24: Palm Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m., followed by breakfast

~March 28: Maundy Thursday Worship Service, 7 p.m.

~March 29: Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 7 p.m.

~March 30: Saturday Easter Eve Vigil, 7 p.m.

~March 31: Sunday Easter Service, 9:30 a.m.

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS: The Thrivent Choice program provides Thrivent members an opportunity to support charitable activities such as Immanuel. Choice Dollars must be directed by March 31. If you have any questions, contact your Thrivent representative or Julie Gutknecht. According to the 2023 financial report, we received $1,855 last year.

FOOD SHELF: The most recent donations made to benefit the Buffalo Food Shelf totaled 4 pounds plus $45 in cash/checks. Silver labeled buckets are located in the coat racks in both the upper and lower narthex for this on-going service project with deliveries made monthly.

WEST LUTHERAN GALA: The 2024 fund-raising gala for West Lutheran will be on April 13 at the Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. Check-in begins at 4 p.m. This year’s golfing theme is “Mastering Education.” More information is available on the west bulletin board.

ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE: 

Sunday, March 10 63

Wednesday, March 13 48

FOR THE LORD’S WORK: March 10: General Fund-$2,883 (Minimum Weekly Amount Needed-$2,375); Salem-$1.