ST. PETER S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Welcoming All to Know and Love Jesus

Fourth Sunday in Lent

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

March 10 & 11, 2018

Service of the Word for Healing

ST. PETER’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Welcoming all to know and love Jesus.

123 South Seventh Street St. Clair, Michigan

810-329-2174

Rev. Ken Staib, Pastor March 10 & 11, 2018

586-648-6955 home Fourth Sunday in Lent

Marilyn Tackaberry, organist

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Confession & Forgiveness

Gathering SongJesus, Keep Me Near the Cross ELW 335

GREETING

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, rich in mercy, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world and rescued us from the hopelessness of death. Lead us into your light, that all our deeds may reflect your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHOIR ANTHEM (Sunday)What Wondrous Love is This traditional, arr. Larter

Nancy Diebold, violin

CHILDREN’S SERMON

First Reading:Numbers 21:4-9

Though God provides food and water for the Israelites in the wilderness, they whine and grumble. They forget about the salvation they experienced in the exodus. God punishes them for their sin, but when they repent God also provides a means of healing: a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole.

4From Mount Hor [the Israelites] set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” 6Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” 9So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm:Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Second Reading:Ephesians 2:1-10

While we were dead in our sinfulness, God acted to make us alive as a gift of grace in Christ Jesus. We are saved not by what we do but by grace through faith. Thus our good works are really a reflection of God’s grace at work in our lives.

1You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel:John 3:14-21

The holy gospel according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

To explain the salvation of God to the religious leader, Nicodemus, Jesus refers to the scripture passage quoted in today’s first reading. Just as those who looked upon the bronze serpent were healed, so people will be saved when they behold Christ lifted up on the cross.

[Jesus said:] 14“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16“For 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.

17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Hymn of the DayMy Faith Looks Up to Thee ELW 759

Introduction to Service of Healing

Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and especially for all who are suffering or are in any affliction.

Loving God, our source and our final home, we give you thanks for the gifts of life on earth, for our human bodies and all you have created.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

God of peace and reconciliation, bring an end to the sickness of the world, especially violence, terrorism, war, and their causes. We pray especially for the students, teachers, and staff of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and refugees fleeing from war torn parts of our world.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

Holy God, your Spirit came upon us in the waters of baptism and brought us into the communion of saints. Renew in us the grace of baptism, by which we share in Christ's death and resurrection.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

Mighty God, your Son Jesus brought healing and wholeness to all. Bring your healing presence now to all who are sick or in pain. Grant hope to all who are discouraged or in despair. We pray especially for those on our prayer list, and those we name before you in our hearts.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

Almighty God, source of human knowledge, give skill, wisdom, and compassion to all who provide medical care.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

Loving God, our creator and redeemer, give gentleness and courage to family members, friends,and caregivers of those who suffer.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

Compassionate God, we pray for first responders who rush in to bring hope, help, and comfort while others flee to safety. Support them in their courage and dedication that they may continue to save lives, ease pain, and mend the torn fabric of lives and social order.In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

Eternal God, we thank you for all the faithful departed. Heal the pain of all who grieve.

In your great mercy,

hear us, O God.

God of great and abundant mercy, with your presence sustain all for whom we pray.

Drive away their suffering, give them firm hope, and strengthen their trust in you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Laying on of Hands and Anointing

CONGREGATIONAL SONG(Sunday)We Come to You for Healing, Lord ELW 617

Prayer

Blessing

PEACE

OFFERINGVltava from “Ma Vlast” Smetana

Nancy Diebold, violin

LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING

Sending SongAmazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound ELW 779

DISMISSAL

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SERVING SATURDAY: Norene Stoecker, Janet Allington

SERVING SUNDAY: Greeter: Lou Wegmeyer; Ushers: Tim Evans & Bryan Neiman, Acolyte: Megan Green; Scripture Reader: Krista Rickel; Projectionist: Mark Fisher.

IN NEED OF PRAYER: Dennis Rocker, Mary Forys, Janice Convis, Guy MacIntosh, Sue Kasemeyer, Dick Guyott, Janine Sommer, Paul & Ruth Reyelts, Delores Cook, Vi Dunn, Will Tanner, Clyde Moore, Louis Eisen, Lana Wagner, Loretta Lukasak, Suzanne Morris, Elizabeth MacDonald, Bob Yates,Bill Englehardt, Art McHaney, Sharon Ann Wheeler, Patty Armstrong, Adeline Harsch, Pat Greenwood, Marlene Eisen, Tom Bodany, Don Schroeder, Fred & Wendy Morris, Patricia Jones, Janice Benson-Peters, Tom Peters.

(Please call or email the office at to update information.)

ATTENDANCE:Saturday 25; Sunday 108

ANNIVERSARY:3/11Constance & Ronald Felstow41 Years

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We welcome those who are visiting with us. Please take time to sign the registration book or the guest register in the lobby and introduce yourself to Pastor Ken. We hope that you will find our worship edifying and our congregation warm and receptive. We are glad that you are here.

DVD copies of the 9:30 a.m. worship service can be produced for those who are shut-in or others who would like a copy. Let us know in advance if there is a service that you would like recorded.

During worship we observe the passing of the peace, through which we share the peace that Jesus gives to us. We usually share the peace with a hand shake. If for any reason you are not comfortable sharing the peace with a hand shake, you may use an alternate gesture such as a nod or bow. You may also simply speak the words "Peace be with you."

Our Lenten services will continue every Wednesday evening at 7 pm. We hope you will join us as we continue our focus on prayer. This week we will use a service of prayer for the healing of the nations.

It’s once again time for March Madness! As this year’s annual basketball tournaments get underway, can you imagine what it would be like if Pastor Ken actually rooted for the Spartans or Wolverines? Starting on March 11, there will be a penny war between Spartan and Wolverine fans. Pennies earn positive points, and silver coins and bills earn negative points. So put pennies in the jar of your favorite team, and silver coins and bills in the jar of the team you don’t like. Whoever has the most points will get to see Pastor Ken in your team’s colors and hear him sing your team’s fight song after March Madness is over. But if we don’t raise at least $500, everyone else will have to wear scarlet and gray and sing the Ohio State fight song. All money raised will support our youth going to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston.

The next Ladies Luncheon will be on Wednesday, March 14 at Rix on the Rooftop (the former Fogcutter) in Port Huron. Meet in the church parking lot at 11:30 am. Sign up in the lobby if you plan to attend.

Please join us for worship and fellowship as our J.A.M. Youth Group hosts a soup supper fundraiser on March 17, at 6 pm following the Saturday service. We are asking for a free will donation to help fund our youth group account. So please join us for worship, warm soup and wonderful fellowship.

We have fallen behind with our donations to the Ecumenical Food Pantry. We are responsible for donations of soap and laundry detergent, but all nonperishables are needed. The donation bins are in the hallway by the office door.

Come to share in Fellowship, Fun & Laughter: At Risk Training & Bowling, Sunday March 11, 11 am – 2 pm, for 5th - 12th grade youth & friends. We will meet in the Fireside room at 11 am after our At Risk training then head to The Voyageur for bowling. $ 5 per person includes 2 games, hot dog, ice cream, pop & shoe rental.

Scholarships are available for college, post-graduate and trade schools from the St. Peter’s Community Education Scholarship Fund. Candidates must either be a St. Peter’s member or have a church sponsor. The application form is in the office. The scholarship amount is $500 for members and $200 for non-members. The deadline for applications is April 30th. If you have any questions contact one of the committee members: Mike Morenko, Dawn Lambrecht, and Nancy Green.

The Attic Angels will meet on Monday, March 12 at 9 am to organize items. The annual St. Peter’s Attic and Bake Sale will be held on May 17th and 18th. If anyone wishes to donate, please put items in the large room in the church basement. Items must be clean and saleable; please no computer equipment or large appliances. Anyone who wishes to help with the sale in any capacity is welcomed. Any questions, please call Jennifer at 329-9656.

We are still accepting donations for Easter flowers. Envelopes for ordering mums and lilies are in your mailboxes and on the table in the lobby. Mums are $9 and lilies are $8. Orders will be accepted through March 25.

The deadline for the April newsletter is March 15.

this week at St. Peter’s

Monday
Attic Angels
9 am
Bible Study
6:30 pm / Wednesday
Prayer 9:30 am
Bible Study 10 am
Confirmation 6 pm
Lenten Service
7 pm
Choir 7:30 pm / Friday
Pastor’s day off / Saturday
1st Communion Class 10 am
Worship, 5 pm
Soup Supper
6 pm / Sunday
Sunday School,
Worship,
1st Communion
9:30 am

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