Norma de Waal Malefyt

This children's message series originally appeared in the worship series "Picture Jesus."What Does the Cross Mean?Our Lenten services included a time when the children of the congregation gathered on the steps at the base of the pulpit. Each week we looked at a cross (one of six different types) and talked about its special meaning. After the service we hung a drawing of the cross in the narthex, adding the new one each week.Week 1  The Latin CrossThe Latin Cross is the most common and familiar to most of us. Long ago people started using this cross to remind them of Jesus and how he died for us. Today, whenever we see the cross, we know that the church that displays it believes in Jesus. Notice that the cross is empty. Why? Because Jesus is alive!Week 2 The Passion CrossThis is sometimes called the Crusader’s cross because it’s the kind the Crusaders carried with them. As they traveled to the Holy Land, these Christians sometimes wanted to stop and worship God. A cross with a pointed bottom could be driven into the ground easily, creating a place for worship and reminding them of how Jesus suffered for them.Week 3 The CrossletThe crosslet hardly seems to be a cross at all until we look at it very carefully. It really is four crosses made into one by joining their bases at the center. The tops are pointing in all four directions. Jesus died for people from all directions—north, south, east, and west. God wants the whole world to know about the Jesus. The crosslet reminds us how big God’s love is.Week 4 The Jerusalem CrossThe Jerusalem Cross is the only one named after a city, the city where Jesus was crucified. This cross includes five little crosses to represent the five wounds of Jesus—two for each of his hands where he was nailed, two for each of his feet nailed to the cross, and one to represent the spear in his side. This cross helps us never to forget how much Jesus suffered.Week 5 The Anchor CrossAt first, this cross looks very different—it has an anchor built into it. Some of the first disciples were fishermen, and they knew how important an anchor was. When you throw an anchor out, it drops to the bottom of the sea and holds the boat steady so it doesn’t drift away, even during a violent storm.This special cross reminds us that Jesus is our anchor. He will always hold us tightly and keep us steady—just like an anchor keeps a boat safe.Week 6 The Cross and CrownAsk the children to identify the two shapes in this figure—a cross and a crown. The form of this cross tells us a lot about Jesus. It tells us that Jesus suffered and died on the cross. But today Jesus is no longer on the cross. He is no longer in the tomb either. He is wearing a crown in heaven and ruling as the King of kings!

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterEasterThe Resurrection and LifeScripture Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11Text: John 11:25–26; 20:1–9Sermon NotesEaster is the best story in all of preaching, but the challenge to remain fresh becomes a bigger one each year.Instead of focusing on the actual resurrection story of Easter, this time we took a close look at the story of the resurrection of Lazarus as a prophetic portrayal of Jesus’ own resurrection power.We began by affirming the historicity of Jesus’ physical resurrection. Then we backed up (chronologically) to the story of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. We explored a variety of dimensions of the narrative and then concentrated on Jesus’ bold statement to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25–26).By examining the reality of death today and the wide variety of reactions to death, we noted humanity’s basic resistance to and fear of death. Our awareness of such resistance and fear in our own hearts made us “ripe” to hear about the great Easter professions that Jesus is teaching us to make in these verses: A world that assumes death is the last word discovers that tombs are temporary! For those who believe in Jesus there is eternal life.We spent a little while exploring the depth of Jesus’ statement “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:26). We have no better way to describe it. Human language is so limited. Even what we call death in the final analysis is not death for the Christian. We possess eternal life!Such certainty, joy, and hope provided the basis for the remainder of our Easter morning celebration.Congregational Songs“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Wesley et al.“The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done” Pott et al.“I Know That My Redeemer Lives” Medley“Come and See” Ylvisaker“A Shout Rings Out, a Joyful Voice” Gerdes and Malan“This Joyful Eastertide” Woodward et al.“Hallelujah Chorus” HandelChoral Suggestions“On Earth Has Dawned This Day of Days,” Hal Hopson (Choristers Guild CGA 709, two-part—any combination of voices—with keyboard and optional handbells)“Hallelujah, Christ Is Risen,” Stan Pethel (Coronet Press 392-41629, SATB anthem)“The Easter News,” Russel Nagy (Highstreet JH550, unison/ two-part anthem)“Since By Man Came Death,” G. F. HandelInstrumental Suggestions“Fanfare,” William Mathias (The Oxford Book of Wedding Music, Oxford University Press)“This Joyful Eastertide,” Andrew Clarke (Easter Trilogy set 2; vruchten; Morningstar MSM-10-405)“The Strife Is O’er,” Lisa Shoemaker-Lohmeyer (Morningstar MSM-10-418)“Toccata for Organ,” John Weaver (Boosey and Hawkes)Liturgy NotesThe Scripture passage for the morning was read by members of the congregation as a Scripture drama (adapted from The Dramatized New Testament)We crafted a litany for pastor, choir, and congregation based on 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4.We traditionally close Easter morning worship with the congregation and choir singing the “Hallelujah Chorus.”   Revised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Easter—Resurrection of the Lord

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterGood FridayThe LambThe WordScriptureIsaiah 52:13–53:12; Hebrews 4:14–15; 5:7–9Text John 1:29; 10:11, 14–18Sermon NotesTo gain a deeper understanding of the lamb metaphor, we made a number of visits. We first visited Jerusalem at Passover time and found it a very noisy place. Not only were crowds of pilgrims in town milling around in the temple courts, but large numbers of animals were being slaughtered for the sacrifices that the people had come to make.Stepping back into history gave us the opportunity to visit a Hebrew home and join their celebration of the traditional Hebrew Passover feast. We saw the mother preparing for the celebration, the father leading the family around the table, and the child answering a critical question: “What does this ceremony mean to you?” (Ex. 12:26). That set the stage for the father’s explanation of slavery in Egypt, the plagues, the Passover lamb with blood on the doorposts of the house, and God’s great deliverance.Next we visited the other side of the Jordan River where John the Baptist was gathering followers, when suddenly he pointed to Jesus and declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).Together we stood at Calvary, witnessing the people’s cruelty toward Jesus, the intensity of his suffering, his willingness to endure it, and the sacrifice it involved. In his crucifixion, Jesus was serving as the sacrificial lamb of God.Our final visit involved the scene in the temple on the Day of Atonement. After the sacrifices had been made, the priests laid their hands on the scapegoat and sent him out into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the people.These visits, all of which reinforced the idea of sacrifice, prepared us to approach the Lord’s table.Congregational Songs:“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” Gerhardt et al.“O Christ the Lamb of God” Dei et al.“Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended” Heermann et al.“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Watts and Mason“Just As I Am, Without One Plea” Elliott and Bradbury“There Is a Redeemer” Green“What Wondrous Love” Anon.“Now Behold the Lamb” FranklinChoral Suggestions“Christ We Do All Adore Thee,” Theodore Dubois (the final movement from Seven Last Words; also found in The Covenant Hymnal 297)“Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs,” Paul Laubengayer (Morningstar MSM-50-3025, SATB anthem with C instrument)“Heavy,” Russell Nagy (High Street JH552, SATB anthem)Instrumental Suggestions“Passacaglia in C Minor,” J. S. Bach“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” Michael Burkhardt (Five Lenten Hymn Improvisations; herzlich tut mich verlangen; Morningstar MSM-10-309)Communion Meditation Music“Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” David Cherwien (Lamb of God; st. christopher; Morningstar MSM-10-302)“Just as I Am,” Dale Wood (Wood Works Book 2; woodworth; SMP KK400)Liturgy NoteOur Good Friday evening worship is usually a Tenebrae service with a series of readings, songs, and diminishing light. The service moves to a quiet and reflective participation in the Lord’s Supper, and concludes in the dark with the tolling of the bell seven times to represent the fullness of Christ’s suffering for us.The Burkhardt, Cherwien, and Wood selections were played by organ with the melody lines played by solo instrument. We used flute, oboe, and bassoon on the different pieces.Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Holy Week—Good Friday

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterThe sixth Sunday of Lent (Palm Sunday)The KingService of ConfessionCall to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonLet the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,who, though he existed in the form of God,   did not regard equality with God   as something to be grasped,but emptied himself,   taking the form of a slave,   assuming human likeness.And being found in appearance as a human,    he humbled himself   and became obedient to the point of death—   even death on a cross.Therefore God exalted him even more highly   and gave him the name   that is above every other name,so that at the name given to Jesus   every knee should bend,   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue should confess   that Jesus Christ is Lord,   to the glory of God the Father.—Philippians 2:5–11 NRSVUEHymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!The WordScriptureIsaiah 50:4–9a; Philippians 2:5–11Text John 12:12–19Sermon NotesPalm Sunday and Jesus as King always go together. As a congregation we needed to understand that the triumphal entry was not an isolated event. Eagerness for a king had always been a part of the Christian faith. Israel’s desire for a king, David’s prominence as king, and God’s promise about David’s son being on the throne had always shaped and formed their expectations. That’s why Jerusalem was seen as the location that had to be prepared to receive God’s messianic King.We also needed to sense that the idea of Jesus as King was deeply threatening. Herod massacred babies in Bethlehem because he was afraid a king was coming. The religious leaders became angrier on Palm Sunday because of the idea of Jesus as a king. According to Matthew, much of the beating and ridicule that Jesus received at his trial was directly related to the idea that he claimed to be a king. Pilate even hung the sarcastic sign “King of the Jews” over Jesus’ head on the cross.With all that as background, we stepped into the Palm Sunday scene, trying to understand how different groups there reacted in different ways. Their reactions were shaped by whether they understood his kingship or not and whether they viewed it as a welcome event or a threat to their power.In an effort to make the message appropriate to the events of our world, I tried to portray the difference between two kinds of Christianity—that which believes Jesus is king today, and that which believes that he will become king some day off in the future. The implications are so far-reaching!Then we went back to Bethlehem, noting how Herod was stirred to violence by the idea of Jesus as king. We admitted together that Herod may have been very evil, but he certainly was correct in his understanding that this child would be a king and that it would be impossible to side-step him. Either we must embrace Jesus or totally reject him. There is no middle ground. All the different segments of the crowd on Palm Sunday found that out—sooner or later.Congregational Songs“All Glory, Laud and Honor” Orleans et al.“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” Threlfall and Wittenberg“Man of Sorrows, What a Name” Bliss“All Hail, King Jesus” MoodyChoral Suggestions“African Psalm,” Patrick Liebergen (Alfred 16025, SAB anthem)“Jesus, the King,” Lloyd Larson (Beckenhorst BP1234, SAB anthem)Instrumental Suggestions“Partita on ‘All Glory, Laud and Honor,’” Michael Burkhardt (st. theodulph; Morningstar MSM-10-306)“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” Michael Burkhardt (Five Lenten Hymn Improvisations; ellacombe; Morningstar MSM-10-309)“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” Frank Stoldt (Five Hymn Settings; ellacombe; Morningstar MSM-10-931)Liturgy NotesThe service included a Litany of Profession constructed from the contemporary testimony Our World Belongs to God, 25, 27, 28.Our Palm Sunday service normally includes a palm processional or parade (depending on placement within the service) by all children of the congregation. The congregation sings while the children process.We distribute large used carpenter nails to all members of the congregation that they may carry with them through Holy Week as a devotional tool and reminder of Christ’s great sacrifice and gift to us.Revised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Lent—Liturgy of the PassionYear B: Lent—Liturgy of the Palms

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterThe Fifth Sunday of LentThe Foot WasherService of ConfessionCall to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonSo also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest but was appointed by[a] the one who said to him,“You are my Son;   today I have begotten you”;as he says also in another place,“You are a priest forever,   according to the order of Melchizedek.”In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.—Hebrews 5:5–10 NRSVUEHymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!The WordScripturePsalm 51:1–12; Hebrews 5:5–10Text: John 13:1–17Sermon NotesAbout the time that I was preparing this message, I saw a full-page seminary ad in Christianity Today. Across the page in boldface letters were the words “Want to be World Class? Grab a Towel!” What an excellent lead-in for this sermon!To fully understand the impact of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, our congregation needed to enter the mind and heart of Jesus as he approached this task. Jesus knew that when he made arrangements for this Passover feast, he was also making arrangements for the great personal crisis that was looming before him. He was also well aware of the difficult task he faced in confronting Judas about his betrayal contract and confronting Peter about his approaching denials.For a number of good reasons, the footwashing should never have happened. For one thing, it went against social custom. Servants and slaves washed feet, not leaders like Jesus. Also, the pain and hurt Jesus was feeling as he contemplated the coming hours must have made it almost unbearable to wash feet around the circle with both Judas and Peter sitting there. So why did he do it? Was it just a matter of protocol? Was it a matter of dirty feet? Of ceremonial fulfillment?According to verses 12–17, the footwashing was a teaching session for Jesus. And the lesson was about leadership. The disciples were somewhat polarized over two kinds of leadership—power leadership and service leadership. The same polarization has been present ever since in the church.More than a simple teaching session, the towel on Thursday evening was also a prophecy of the ultimate washing Jesus would provide on Friday through his crucifixion.Perhaps grabbing a towel is a much better symbol of Christian discipleship than we’ve been willing to admit.Other Service ElementsCongregational Song“Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God” Bonar and Wittenberg“All Praise to You, My God, This Night” Ken and Tallis“Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service” Bayly et al.“The Servant Song” Gillard“What Wondrous Love” Mead's et al.“O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High” Kempis, trans. Webb“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” Wilkinson et al.Choral Suggestions“Christ’s Own Body,” Margaret Tucker (Choristers Guild CGA801, unison/two-part anthem with keyboard, opt. congregation, and handbells)Instrumental Suggestions“What Wondrous Love,” Lloyd Larson (Beckenhorst HB150, a bell anthem)“Wondrous Love,” Samuel Barber (Schrimer 44477)“Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service,” Charles Callahan (Six Meditations on American Folk Hymns; pleading savior; Concordia 97-6140)“All Praise to You, My God, This Night,” Richard Purvis (Seven Chorale Preludes; tallis canon; Fischer 0 3450)Liturgy NotesBecause of the emphasis on humble service toward others, we found this service to be an ideal time to focus on some of the mission and outreach efforts of our congregation.Both the service music and the congregational songs of the service reflected the calling of humble service as an expression of the mind of Christ.Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Lent—Fifth Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterThe Fourth Sunday of LentThe ShepherdService of ConfessionCall to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonYou were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, 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. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else, but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.—Ephesians 2:1–10 NRSVUEHymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!The WordScripturePsalm 23; Ephesians 2:1–10 Text:John 10:11–18Sermon NotesPresenting the portrait of Christ as the shepherd was very challenging, primarily because it is so familiar to all. Often that which is most familiar can be the hardest to communicate with freshness.We recalled together how the Old Testament prophets had warned God’ people about dangerous and unfaithful shepherds who were more concerned about fattening themselves than caring for the flock. (Ezek. 34:1-10). We knew from our own experience about thieves who broke in to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). And we all know people like the hired hands, who were not willing to take any risks to protect sheep that didn’t really belong to them (John 10:12-13). Each of these—the unfaithful shepherd, the thief, and the hired hand—creates a lot of insecurity and danger for the sheep.Then, in contrast to these negative examples, we looked at Christ, the Good Shepherd pictured in John 10. The Good Shepherd has an intimate bond with his sheep. He knows them, and they know him. The Good Shepherd is also seeking his “other” sheep, who must yet be brought in. Most important is the willingness and commitment of the Good Shepherd to lay down his life for the sheep. In making such a sacrifice, the shepherd was actually becoming the “Lamb,” whose sacrifice we were preparing to mark on Good Friday.In the final meditation, we walked through Psalm 23, with its beautiful descriptions of the richness and security that the child of God experiences. There, and throughout the service, we kept coming back to one probing question: Do you know this Shepherd?Other Service ElementsCongregational Songs“Magnify the Lord” Poleman and Berthier“The Lord, My Shepherd Rules My Life” Idle et al.“My Shepherd Is the Lord” Villarreal and Asay“Alleluia” Berthier“O Lord, My Shepherd” Songs for Contemplative Worship Set 1, Sam Owen Batts (Morningstar MSM-55-9850)Choral Suggestions“Shepherd Me, O God,” Marty Haugen (G.I.A. G-2950, SATB anthem with optional instrumental parts and congregational refrain)“Shepherd of My Heart,” Francis Patrick O’Brien (G.I.A. G-3770, SATB anthem with optional instrumental parts and congregational refrain)Instrumental Suggestions“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” Douglas Wagner (SMP S-HB16, bell anthem)“Brother James’ Air,” Barbara Kinyon (Agape 1220, bell anthem)“Beside Still Waters” Howard Starks (Agape 1047, bell anthem)“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” Mack Wilberg (Hinshaw HMC1424, SATB)Liturgy NotesThe format and style of this service was different from all the others. The entire service was very reflective and meditative in spirit, similar to Taizé worship. The following helped to create the slow and leisurely pace that we were striving for:The Prayers of the People were divided into sections, each of which concluded with this response “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.”The sermon took the form of four meditations woven throughout the service.The lighting and visuals of the sanctuary were subdued, contributing to the meditative spirit of worship.All the music and songs focused on the shepherd character of Christ. The bell choir played the prelude from the narthex. The music within the service was played by an instrumental ensemble composed of two violins, two flutes, a viola, a bassoon and keyboard. Both choral anthems included a congregational refrain as well as instrumental parts.Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterThe third Sunday of LentThe Miracle-WorkerService of ConfessionCall to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonFor the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,   and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews ask for signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.—1 Corinthians 1:18–25 NRSVUEHymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!The WordScripturePsalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 TextJohn 2:1–11Sermon NotesTo understand Jesus, we must be able to understand that he was a miracle worker. A look at Jesus’ first miracle at Cana gave us the opportunity to think through these extraordinary works of Jesus.First we looked at what distinguishes miracles from other amazing events. A miracle is an intervention of supernatural power that overrides natural law. The gospel records several dozen such events in the ministry of Jesus.Revisiting the wedding reception in Cana gave us the opportunity to observe one of Jesus’ miracles and to discern his motive in performing it. Both the surprise and the authenticity of this miracle needed to be set forth, but we also needed to draw lessons from the entire pattern of miracles in his ministry. Jesus’ purpose was clear—to reveal the glory of God so that others would believe in him. As a congregation we needed to understand that receiving healing, food, and safety was quite secondary to the primary purpose—to display God’s glory in order that people would believe.But we also needed to realize that Jesus did not always perform miracles and that perhaps we understand him best when we wrestle with why he sometimes refused to do miracles. As a case in point, we looked at Matthew 4:11, where Jesus refused to perform a miracle in response to Satan’s temptation. We also looked at Mark 15:29–30, where he refused to come down from the cross and “save himself.” The existence of miracles (or lack of them) can be explained only in terms of God’s purpose.Other Service ElementsCongregational Songs“All Glory Be to God on High” Latin, 4th cent.“Your Hands, O Lord, In Days of Old” Phumptre and Gawler's“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Wesley and Prichard“O Jesus, We Adore You” Russell and Lloyd“O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High” Webb and SchalkChoral Suggestions“Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” J. S. Bach (Schmitt, Hall McCreary SCHCH 1578, SATB anthem; see also the revised text and setting for congregation in RW 45, p. 17.)Instrumental Suggestions“All Glory Be to God on High,” Raymond H. Haan (Festival Hymn Preludes; allein gott; SMP KK329)“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” Peter Pindar Stearns (Twelve Hymn Preludes for General Use ; hyfrydol; Flammer HF-5145)“Partita on “Deo Gracias,” Michael Burkhardt (Morningstar MSM-10-844)Liturgy NotesThe service included a Litany of Profession taken from the contemporary testimony Our World Belongs to God, 24–26, found on pages 1026–1027 of the Gray Psalter Hymnal (worship edition). After the reading of each section, the congregation responded by speaking the refrain “Lord of the Universe” Clarkson.Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Lent—Third Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterThe second Sunday of LentThe Living WaterService of ConfessionCall to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonFor this reason the promise depends on faith, in order that it may rest on grace, so that it may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”), in the presence of the God in whom he believed,[a] who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.—Romans 4:16–17, 23–25 NRSVUEHymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!The WordScripturePsalm 22:23–31; Romans 4:16,17, 23–25Text: John 4:1–15Sermon NotesDuring the first week of Lent, we mentioned two obstacles to understanding the bread metaphor that Jesus used. We have even greater obstacles to understanding the living water metaphor. Our congregation, used to the abundance of water in the Great Lakes area, had no concept of what it’s like to be completely out of water. What a contrast to the experiences of Jews in arid Palestine! To understand Jesus’ intent, we needed to enter the world and experience of the original hearers.We looked at the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, a Jewish celebration that most of us knew little about. (For a service drama on the Feast of Tabernacles, see "The Feast of Booths".) Together we experienced the spirit in Jerusalem as the people gathered to celebrate a bountiful harvest. We lived into the climactic event of the week when the procession of priests poured the pitcher of water on the altar, while the worshipers chanted selected Hallel Psalms (Psalms 111–118) as their plea that God would save them by sending water for a new year.With that understanding as background, we were ready to meet the woman at the well and observe how Jesus turned a casual conversation into a life-changing moment by directing her attention to living water. It is critical to notice that Jesus does not declare himself to be living water, but to give living water. The commentary on this is found in John 7:37–38 , where the Holy Spirit is identified as the living water. The indispensable connection between the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is obvious.We wanted all worshipers to picture both the tragedy and the hope of today. Jesus makes the living water available. Some find life, but many try to quench their thirst elsewhere.Other Service ElementsCongregational SongsPsalm 63: “O Lord, My God, Most Earnestly” Stebbins “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” Bonar and Vander“Lord Jesus Is Calling to All Who Would Hear” Luchies and Chadwyck-HealeyPsalm 22: “Amid the Thronging Worshipers” TateChoral Suggestions“Come to the Water,” John Foley SJ (OCP 9489, SATB anthem with congregational refrain and optional instrumentals)Instrumental Suggestions“There Is a Green Hill Far Away,” Cynthia Dobrinski (Agape 1426, a bell anthem)“Baptized in Water,” Dale Wood (Woodworks; bunessan; SMP KK357)“As a Deer in Want of Water,” Sigfrid Karg-Elert (Karg-Elert Album for Organ; freu dich, o meine seele; Marks Music M 152)Liturgy NotesThe bell prelude is based on the tune THE GREEN HILL. The service included Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 12, with everyone responding to the questions “Why is he called ‘Christ,’ meaning ‘anointed’?” (Q&A 31) and “Why are you called a Christian?” (Q&A 32).Our Scripture reading of the John 4 passage took the form of a Scripture drama adapted from The Dramatized New Testament. (See also the dramatic mononlogue “Come and See”.)Revised Common LectionaryYears A, B: Lent—Second Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"Picture Jesus"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Good Friday | EasterThe First Sunday in LentThe Bread of Life Service of ConfessionCall to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonFor Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.—1 Peter 3:18–22 NRSVUEHymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it! The WordScripturePsalm 25:1–10; 1 Peter 3:18–22Text:John 6:25-40Sermon NotesWe began this series by explaining our intent to take worshipers through a seven-week tour of a portrait gallery. Each portrait was intended to give them another view of the character of the Savior. Our aim was to shape their expectations and encourage them to prepare for Holy Week.In this first passage Jesus claims to be the bread of life. Contemporary Christians have two obstacles in understanding the intensity of what Jesus was saying. First, few of us have ever been so desperately hungry that we crave a piece of bread. And second, in our society bread is devalued; it’s toward the bottom of the ladder as far as desired foods are concerned. (We’d much rather have meat or some special dish!) So we need to make a large adjustment in order to enter this passage.John 6 is a chapter with a good bit of bread in it, beginning with the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus makes the transition here from physical bread to spiritual bread and gives a rather extended discourse on what spiritual bread involves. By the end of the chapter he speaks about eating “my flesh” and drinking “my blood” (v. 54ff.).To really understand this passage, worshipers need to sense that the centrality of bread continues throughout Jesus’ ministry. At the Passover he instituted the Lord’s Supper with its bread (Matt. 26:26-29). And on Easter Sunday two disciples recognized him “while he broke the bread” (Luke 24:35).Jesus is dealing here with two very deep hungers in our lives, hungers far more important than physical hunger. First of all, we all have the hunger for acceptance. In that culture the offer of bread was an expression of acceptance, hospitality, and friendship. Second, we all have the hunger for eternal life, for knowing that after this life there is another glorious life that will go on forever. Jesus alone can provide an answer to that hunger.We concluded our service and formally entered Lent with the Lord’s Supper, in which we especially focused on Jesus offering himself to us as the bread of life.Other Service ElementsCongregational Songs“Lift Your Heart to the Lord” Bowers and Williams (The congregation joined the choir on the refrain of this introit hymn.)“God Is Here” Green and Janson “Gift of Finest Wheat” Westendorf and Kreutz “O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts” Palmer and Baker“Eat This Bread” Batastini and Berthier“I Received the Living God” Anon“We Are People on a Journey”/“Somos pueblo que camina” DavilaChoral Suggestions“Take and Eat This Bread,” Francis Patrick O’Brien (G.I.A. G-3768; SATB anthem with optional instrumental parts and congregational refrain.)Instrumental SuggestionsNote: Unless noted, instrumental music suggestions are organ selections.“Partita on ‘Come, Let Us Eat,’” Tim Fields (a va de; Morningstar MSM-10-824)“Lift Your Heart to the Lord,” Robert Hobby (3 Hymns of Praise, Set 5; salve festa dies; Morningstar MSM-10-760)“Break Now the Bread of Life,” Jack Goode (Preludes on Hymn Tunes; bread of life; Hope)Meditation Music for Communion“In the Quiet Consecration,” David Cherwien (Interpretations IX ; kingdom; AMSI SP-106)“O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts,” Jack Goode (Preludes on Hymn Tunes; quebec; Hope)Liturgy NotesWe presented the John 6 passage as a dramatic reading, adapted from The Dramatized New Testament (Baker, 1994).The selections for the meditation music were played by organ and solo violin.All worshipers were invited forward to receive the bread and the cup. Readings, congregational song, and meditation music were woven through the time of the sacrament.Psalm 25:1–10 can be read with a congregational refrain, “To You, O Lord, I Lift My Soul” Haugen sung at the beginning, after stanzas 3 and 7, and at the end.Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Lent—First Sunday in Lent

This confession liturgy originally appeared in the series "Picture Jesus."Liturgy of confession for Lent Call to ConfessionIn this season in which we remember our Savior’s suffering, let us confess our sinfulness to him.Our Prayer of ConfessionMost holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another that we have sinned against you by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.Assurance of God’s PardonFirst Sunday: 1 Peter 3:18-22Second Sunday: Romans 4:16-17, 23-25Third Sunday: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25Fourth Sunday: Ephesians 2:1-10Fifth Sunday: Hebrews 5:5-10Sixth Sunday: Philippians 2:5-11Hymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” (st. 1) Homeburg et al.A Commitment to Holy LivingSince we have been saved by grace, how shall we live in obedience to Him who saved us?We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, our mind and our strength; and we will love our neighbors as ourselves.And how will it be clear that your Lord has first place in your life?We will have no other gods before God; we will not make for ourselves any substitute gods; we will not abuse the name of the Lord but speak it only in reverence and love; we will honor the Lord’s day through worship, witness, and fellowship with God’s people.And how will it be clear that you love others as yourself?We will honor our parents and hold the family in high esteem; we will not abuse, hate, or injure our friends or neighbors by word, gesture or deed; we will live sexually holy and disciplined lives; we will not steal; we will not lie; we will not grasp for what we do not have, nor reject others for having it.Will you commit yourselves to this obedience?Yes, by God’s grace we will do it!