NOTE: This liturgy is under development.
On the Liturgy
- Before using this liturgy, please read the information and instructions throughout “The Service of the Word and Lord’s Supper.”
- The Fourth Sunday in Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday (from the Latin for “rejoice”) since it provides a break from the somber tone of Lent and focuses on the joyful hope that Christians have even in penitent times. It is also sometimes called Rose Sunday, since rose/pink is sometimes used instead of purple (just as rose/pink is used on Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent). This liturgy reflects the spirit of Laetare Sunday (e.g., by choosing more joyful and upbeat songs). For more on the 40-day season of Lent, see “A Guide to Lent and Holy Week.”
- This liturgy is built around the texts for Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary. See “Collects and Readings for Lent.”
- Hymn numbers correspond to Our Great Redeemer’s Praise (Seedbed, 2022). Chorus numbers correspond to The Chorus Book: Contemporary and Traditional Favorites (Lillenas, 2003). See also “Lent Hymns, Songs, and Metrical Psalms.”
- Some portions are written in a conversational tone to illustrate how the Minister might transition through the liturgy in a pastoral manner.
Artwork for Bulletins/Slideshows
- Pehr Hörberg, Christ Heals a Born Blind (1796), oil on canvas
The Liturgy
For prelude, selections from the Lent Playlist may be played.
THE PROCESSIONAL
THE ACCLAMATION
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;
His mercy endures forever.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Good morning brothers and sisters, and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, and Easter Sunday is right around the corner! Today, we remember that even in penitent times, even in times of tears and fasting, we have hope! Christ our Good Shepherd is with us, and he will never leave or forsake us. His arm is not shortened; he stands ready to save.
OPENING PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Over the first five weeks of Lent, Catechism Questions 13, 25, and 26 may be said every Sunday, along with two of the Ten Commandments (two per week). Question 26 is omitted below for Laetare Sunday.
Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?
God exposed our sin by giving us the moral law, which is summarized in the Ten Commandments, and requires us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves.
Q. 21. What is meant by the seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery”?
We should be pure, decent, and chaste, both within and outside of holy marriage. God forbids all impure thoughts, words, or behaviors, such as lust, immodesty, pornography, fornication, cohabitation, homosexuality, and unlawful divorce. Marriage was ordained by God as a sign of the mystical union between Christ and his Church, and should be honored by all with love, purity, and devotion.
Q. 22. What is meant by the eighth commandment, “You shall not steal”?
We should honestly obtain and generously share our wealth as good stewards of God’s resources. God forbids whatever unjustly hinders our neighbor’s estate or tends towards it, such as greed, stinginess, theft, swindling, usury, fraud, and tax evasion.
Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?
I have sinned against God by doing what should never be done and leaving undone what God has commanded, falling short of his glory in my words, thoughts, and deeds.
THE KYRIE AND/OR TRISAGION
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy God, holy and mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
THE GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
SONG
“Lord Have Mercy” is suggested as a “theme song” to be sung on every Sunday of Lent (except Palm/Passion Sunday), but an alternative is suggested below.
PRAYER BEFORE THE LESSONS
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Let’s listen attentively as God speaks to us through his Word.
The First Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:1–13
A reading from the First Book of Samuel, Chapter 16, at the first verse:
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Gradual: Psalm 23
Let’s say Psalm 23 together.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
And/or the metrical setting of Psalm 23 below may be sung to the tune Eventide (Abide With Me).
The Lord’s my shepherd, I have what I need.
He makes me lie down in the pastures green;
He leads me where refreshing waters flow,
He gives me strength and he restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness,
For his name’s sake, he shows me where to go,
Yea, though I walk through valleys dark with death,
I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and staff protect and comfort me,
You set a table midst my enemies,
You honor me with oil [oy-uhl] on my head,
My cup runs over at the feast you spread.
Surely your goodness, and your mercy, Lord
Shall follow me for all the days I live,
And I shall dwell forever in God’s house,
Safe and secure in my eternal rest.
The following verses may also be sung.
Christ is my Shepherd, I shall never want;
He laid his life down to supply my needs;
At the Lord’s Table, he prepares a feast,
I hear his Word and follow where he leads.
Glory be to the Father and the Son,
And to the Spirit—blessed three in one;
As it was then, is now, and e’er shall be;
We’ll dwell with you for all eternity.
Or, a favorite version of Psalm 23 may be sung.
CHORUS
- Gentle Shepherd (101)
The Second Lesson: Ephesians 5:8–14
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 5, at the 8th verse:
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMNS
- He Leadeth Me (73)
- Amazing Grace (572) — “I once was blind, but now I see” (fits with John 9, healing of the blind man)
Alternatively, Amazing Grace may be sung after the sermon.
The Gospel Reading: John 9
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John, Chapter 9, at the first verse:
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” 18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”) 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON
THE 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 to the dead: On the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: From there he will come to judge the living and the dead: I believe in the Holy Spirit: the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE INVITATION
If you truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from this point forward in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
THE CONFESSION
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
THE OFFERTORY
THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS
Let us lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord, for he alone is holy.
All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.
SONG
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
The Mystery of Faith may be sung.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray.
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE MINISTRATION
Raise the bread and the cup in the sight of the people and say,
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then invite the people to come forward to partake. When delivering the bread to each person, one of the following may be said:
- The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you.
- The body of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
- The body of Christ; take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you.
- The body of Christ; feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
- The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
When delivering the cup to each person, one of the following may be said:
- The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you.
- The blood of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
- The blood of Christ; drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
- The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, sustain us by the Sacrament that we have received, and grant that our Lenten fast may be pleasing to you, and may be for us a healing remedy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE DOXOLOGY
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” may be sung.
Praise God from whom all blessings flowPraise him all creatures here belowPraise him above, you heavenly hostPraise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE BLESSING AND SENDING
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.