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5th Sunday of Lent

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, April 6, 2025

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FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

April 6, 2025

10:00 a.m.

Prelude Meditation/ What Wondrous Love is this setting Charles Callahan

Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery Marty Haugen

_Tree of Life and awesome mystery, | in your death we are reborn;

though you die in all of hist'ry, | still you rise with every morn,

still you rise with every morn.

_________________________________________

Why the Veils? During the season of Lent we recognize, in word, song and image, that our vision of the divine is obscured by sin. The cross, paschal candle, and the beauty of God’s creation in art are veiled to help us understand that without the heart of Christ we live in a darker, more blurred world. As St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:13-4:5 “16but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” We also remember that Easter is coming.

WELCOME

KYRIE Congregation chants “Lord Have Mercy” following the Cantor:

In peace let us pray to the Lord

For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord

For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

OPENING HYMN God’s Work, Our Hands

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray together: Creator God, you prepare a new way in the wilderness, and your grace waters our desert. Open our hearts to be transformed by the new thing you are doing, that our lives may proclaim the extravagance of your love given to all through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 43:16-21

The prophet declares that long ago God performed mighty deeds and delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage through the waters of the sea. Now, God is about to do a new thing, bringing the exiles out of Babylon and through the wilderness in a new Exodus.

16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea,

a path in the mighty waters,

17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

18 Do not remember the former things,

or consider the things of old.

19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches;

for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 126 When God First Brought Us Back Choir

When God first brought us back from exile, we were as dazed as those who dream.

Then were our mouths brimming with laughter; joy from our lips gushed like a stream.

The godless cried in envious wonder "look what the Lord has done for them!"

Indeed our God has greatly blessed us; rejoice and sing, Jerusalem.

Once more, O Lord, restore your people: come with your saving help again,

as to the brook beds in the desert, you bring the sweet, reviving rain.

Let those sow with tears and sighing sing as they reap and joy proclaim:

may those who weep when seed is scattered gather their sheaves and praise your name.

text: Carl P. Daw Jr. b.1944; Hope Publishing Co.

music: Wayfaring Stranger; African American Spiritual; arr. Horace C. Boyer 1935-2009

EPISTLE LESSON: Philippians 3:4b-14

Writing to Christians in Philippi, Paul admits that his heritage and reputation could give him more reason than most people to place confidence in his spiritual pedigree. But the overwhelming grace of God in Jesus calls Paul to a new set of values.

Paul writes: 4b If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION FOR LENT

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what | lies ahead,* I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God | in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14)

GOSPEL: John 12:1-8 Glory to you, O Lord.

Judas willfully misinterprets as waste Mary’s extravagant act of anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume. Jesus recognizes that her lavish gift is both an expression of love and an anticipation of his burial.

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Said Judas to Mary Choir

Said Judas to Mary, “Now what will you do with your ointment so rich and so rare?” “I'll pour it all over the feet of the Lord, and I'll wipe it away with my hair, "

“Oh Mary, O Mary, O think of the poor. This ointment, it could have been sold; and think of the blanket and think of the bread you can buy with the silver and gold.”

“Tomorrow, tomorrow I'll think of the poor; tomorrow,” she said, “not today; for dearer than all of the poor in the world is my love who is going away.”

Said Jesus to Mary, “Your love is so deep, today you may do as you will. Tomorrow, you say, I'm going away, but my body I leave with you still.”

“The poor of the world are my body,” he said, “to the end of the world they shall be. The bread and the blanket you give to the poor you'll know you have given to me.”

“My body will hang from the cross of the world. “Tomorrow,” he said “and today. And Martha and Mary will find me again and wash all the sorrow away.”

SERMON Pastor Kurt Christenson

HYMN OF THE DAY When It Seems the Day Will End

OFFERING

You may also give online using the button above.

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music Patmos setting Mark Sedio

Take my life and let it be | consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days; | let them flow in endless praise,

OFFERING PRAYER

Gracious Provider, you set your immense treasures among us, opening your heart to the world. As we prepare to feast on your bountiful love, deepen our commitment to sharing those treasures with others, through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*each petition will end with the phrase “God, in your mercy” your response is “receive our prayer.”

APOSTLES CREED We share together in the ancient story of faith.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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;

he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

COMMUNION LITURGY FOR LENT

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ.

You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast,

that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace.

And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, …

With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit.

Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.

Come, Holy Spirit.

With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever.

Amen.

OUR LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

All who are hungry, come! The feast of grace is spread.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is somehow present in the bread and wine, however full of mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you approach the Pastor.

AGNUS DEI

COMMUNION ANTHEM In The Singing

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Generous Host, you have shared your feast with us and made us new. Send us now to set tables of love and grace in our communities, that your liberating love might nourish the world into freedom, in the name of the crucified one, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SENDING HYMN Guide My Feet

BLESSING & BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you in favor and give you peace. Amen.

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Jesus, Lover of My Soul Aberystwyth Music by Joseph Parry

arr. James Kasen

Jesus, lover of my soul, | Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll, | While the tempest still is high:

Hide me, O my Savior, hide, | Till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide; | O receive my soul at last.

“Jesus, lover of my soul” is perhaps one of the most personal hymns penned by Charles Wesley (1707-1788). The understanding that Jesus as a “lover” seems to have made many squeamish at the very idea, especially an idea that should be expressed in public worship. Is this hymn better for private devotions? Yet, according to hymnologist Kenneth W. Osbeck, this hymn is considered to be among Wesley’s greatest hymns. It demonstrates, among many other things, Charles Wesley’s vast knowledge of biblical texts, classic literature, and other intellectual sources of his era.

Wesley, always meticulous in drawing upon biblical or classical sources, continued this practice in this hymn. The apocryphal book, The Wisdom of Solomon, 11:23-26, provides the inspiration for this primary theme of this hymn: “But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend. For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made: for never wouldest thou have made any thing, if thou hadst hated it. And how could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy will? or been preserved, if not called by thee? But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls.”

Another possible source is Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471), who often commented on the nature of love. In The Imitation of Christ, for example, he states: “A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver.” - C. Michael Hawn (History of Hymns)

Sanctuary Flowers are given by Mary Christenson “in honor of my family and the faithful members of First Lutheran.”

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Paul Engel, Cantor

Joann Masters, Lector

Mary Ann Horton, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Joann Masters, Deacon Randy Sensmeier, Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel,

Ellen Beck, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Victoria Pearson, Singers

Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Sound, Video, & Computer

Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Dan Kjonegaard, Ushers

Hymns, Prayers, Liturgy

from Sundays and Seasons 2020, Year C

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Holy Week Schedule:

Palm Sunday

10:00am (Bring new or gently used clothing for TACO)

Maundy Thursday

7:00pm at FLC

Good Friday

8:30am Stations of the Cross walk (meet in parking lot)
12:00 FLC
7:00pm 1st Presbyterian

Saturday Easter Vigil

5:30 (begins on FLC patio)

Easter volunteers

We are still in need of a few more volunteers for Holy Week. We could use a couple more people to strip the altar on Thursday and a lighting assistant and fire tender for Easter Vigil on Saturday. Please let Erin know if you can help!

Magnifying Christ’s Light

Thanks to your generous support, we have reached $475,000 in gifts and pledges, surpassing our goal of $450,000! We are now reaching out to our extended community for one-time gifts. Any additional money raised will go toward project overages and additional facility repairs. We are on track to have our MIF loan paid off in three years! Visit the “Going Solar” page of our website for more progress details. You may begin giving toward your pledge, either online using this QR code or through check/cash by designating “Capital Appeal” on the memo or envelope.

TOMORROW! FLC Night at TACO: April 7

Fellow FLC volunteers, April 7 is the first Monday of April and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday April 7, please let Joann Masters know, either at church or by email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and she'll take care of signing you up. Come join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there.

RIC SoCal in search of Board Member

Reconciled in Christ (RIC) SoCal is looking for another passionate person to join our team! If you have a heart for LGBTQ+ inclusion and want to help make our church a place of radical welcome, we'd love to have you. No special experience is needed-just a commitment to justice, love, and community. We meet once a month by Zoom to learn what we would like to do and what we need to work on. If you're interested or want to learn more, please reach out to Eric Sloniker 858 829 4896. Thank you!!

In Need of one more Synod Delegate to represent FLC!

Looking for one more individual to represent FLC with Joann Masters at the Annual Synod Convention Fri-Sat, May 16-17, in Dana Point. Please let Pastor Kurt know if you're interested.

Book Group News

First of all, please note that although we usually meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month, this month’s meeting has been pushed back a week since Easter comes so late this year, and we will meet on Thursday, April 24. That being said, 6 weeks of Lent may have uniquely positioned us to appreciate this month’s selection, The Best of Us, by Joyce Maynard. This memoir follows the author’s joy at her unexpected discovery of love in her late 50s and, after just one year of marriage, her deep sorrow at the cancer diagnosis and death of her new husband. Their story is an ultimately life-affirming one of discovering strength and coming to understand true love through the experience of great loss. Anne Lamott, a favorite author of many of us, reviews this book as “heart-wrenching, inspiring, full of joy and tears and life”. Please join us for fellowship and discussion on Thursday, April 24 in the church Library. Mary Claire and Sheri Bengtson will host.

TACO Bites

Calling all crafters! Got any spare yarn around your house? Donate it to FLC! Nancy Sutter’s knitting/crochet group will use it to make hats for TACO clients.
Empty Bowls is back! May 10 at La Jolla United Methodist Church. See Heartbeat for more info.
Follow TACO (Third Avenue Charitable Organization) on Facebook for more updates!

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 3:00 FLC Night at TACO
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Palm Sunday Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship