On the Liturgy
- Before using this liturgy, please read the information and instructions throughout “The Service of the Word and Lord’s Supper.”
- While Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday in Lent focus on calling the church to repentance, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting with Christ in the wilderness, the Second Sunday in Lent focuses on the faith which must underlie all our piety and which alone can receive the gift of God and enter into eternal life. It calls the church to put off Pharisaical religion and to put on the faith that works by love. The texts also begin more explicitly shifting the focus towards the cross, as the liturgy climaxes with a selection from John’s Gospel in which Jesus teaches Nicodemus that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). For more on the Lenten season, see “A Guide to Lent and Holy Week.”
- This liturgy is built on the texts for Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary. See “Collects and Readings for Lent and Holy Week.”
- 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 and Holy Week Hymns, Songs, and Metrical Psalms.”
- Some portions of the liturgy are written in a conversational tone to illustrate how the Minister might transition through the liturgy and introduce its various parts in a pastoral manner.
Artwork for Bulletins/Slideshows
Henry Ossawa Tanner, Nicodemus Before Christ (1899), oil on canvas
The Liturgy
For prelude, selections from the Lent Playlist may be played.
THE PROCESSIONAL
- Out of the Depths (Scott Soper) — “If you, O Lord, should number our sins, then Lord, who would survive? But you are forgiveness for our sins; for this we adore you, O God.”
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.
For the first 10 days of Lent, we’ve been focused on the call of God to repent and seek God’s face in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. From time to time, we all need to take a serious look on the inside, and stop ignoring the parts of us that are still sinful, selfish, and disordered. Sin is like a cancer. “Sin only grows when left alone. Sin waits till just the right moment; then it springs up, defiling many. Any sin left unchecked could be the one that ruins everything for you” (Chris Lohrstorfer). “Lent is a time to intentionally confront all the ways the first Adam continues to control our lives, to carry these ways to the cross, to let them be crucified with Jesus, and to bury them in the tomb never to rise again” (Robert Webber).
This morning, the Lord calls us to stand before him once again, to hear his Word and to allow it to shine a light on any dark areas of our heart and life. But he also calls us to hear the good news that through faith we can receive the gift of his free grace, promised to Abraham and fulfilled by his Son Jesus Christ.
OPENING PRAYER
Then is said the prayer of Ambrose for a new heart.
Let us pray.
O Lord, you have mercy upon all; take away from us our sins, and mercifully kindle in us the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away from us the heart of stone, and give us a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you, to follow and to enjoy you, for Christ’s sake. 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).
As we remember God’s law and focus in on the fourth and fifth commandments, listen closely and open your heart to any ways that you’ve failed to love and obey the Lord.
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. 17. What is meant by the third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”?
We should honor, defend, and live up to the profession of God’s holy name, which we bear through baptism. God forbids whatever profanes his name or harms his reputation, such as hypocrisy, blasphemy, perjury, cursing, and swearing rash or unnecessary oaths. Those who abuse God’s great name shall not escape his righteous judgment.
Q. 18. What is meant by the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”?
We should observe the times which God has appointed in his Word and regularly rest from routine employment. We should not profane the Lord’s Day or neglect to assemble with God’s people for worship. God calls us to rest also in Christ by faith, and to anticipate the eternal Sabbath.
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.
Q. 26. What are the just consequences of our sin and rebellion?
Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, and makes us liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
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
As we prepare to hear God’s Word, let us pray.
O God, it is your glory to always have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Let’s listen attentively as God speaks to us through his Word.
The First and Second Lessons: Genesis 12:1–4a; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17
The first and second lessons may be read back-to-back by the same reader (or with Psalm 121 between the readings).
A reading from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 12, at the first verse:
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him.
Continuing with Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 4, at the first verse:
What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. … 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 121
Psalm 121 may be sung (see “Resources for Singing Psalm 121“) or said (below).
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The Lord will keep my life.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord will keep my life.
5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep my life.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
All: 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.
HYMNS
Alternatively, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” may be sung after the sermon.
The Gospel Reading: John 3:1–17
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John, Chapter 3, at the 1st verse:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON
THE CREED
Let us confess our faith in the words of the 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 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 AND ABSOLUTION
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.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE
Our Savior speaks comforting words to all who truly turn to him: Come unto me, all you that are burdened and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
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 AFTER THE SANCTUS
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 LORD’S PRAYER
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.
- The body of Christ, a sign of God’s love for you.
- The body of Christ; look and live.
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.
CHORUS
- O How He Loves You and Me (215)
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
May the Sacrament we have received sustain us, O Lord, that our Lenten fast may be pleasing to you and be for us a healing remedy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.