4th Sunday in Lent
March 19, 2023
Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee, Truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
Invocation
En el nombre del Padre, y del X Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.
All Amen.
Confession and Forgiveness
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us
All But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
All Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
All Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros
All Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Silence is Kept
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father:
All Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
Prayer of the Day
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Let us pray.
All God of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Kyrie
The Scripture Readings
Isaiah 42:14-21
For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. 17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. 18 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the Lord? 20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” 21 It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Ephesians 5:8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St John.
All Glory to You, O Lord.
As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. 4 We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go washin the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see. 8 His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” 10 So they said to him, “[So] how were your eyes opened?” 11 He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” 12 And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”13 They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now Jesus had made clayand opened his eyes on a sabbath. 15 So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” 16 So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” [But] others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”18 Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” 20 His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Messiah, he would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise![f] We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” 26 So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28 They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” 30 The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. 32 It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” 34 They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” 38 He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. 39 Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
The Apostle’s Creed
All 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection X of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
Children’s Sermon
In the Cross of Christ, I Glory (427)
In the cross of Christ I glory, Tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time.
All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o’ertake me, Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me; Lo, it glows with peace and joy.
When the sun of bliss is beaming Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming Adds more luster to the day.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure By the Cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
After the pastor says Lord in Your Mercy, all respond with Hear our Prayer.
For a Holy Lent – to focus on Christ in our praying, fasting, and giving.
For blessing in our outreach; CDC, Thrift Ship, Food Pantry, LINC, Presa
Pastors Philip, Roy, Naresh, Christoph, Matt, and all church planters
For U.S. Leaders: President Joe, Governor Greg, Mayor Ron
For those in Military: Jarred, Alissa, Mark, Tom, Thomas, Ricky
Church Leaders; LCMS President Matthew, District President Michael
Persecuted Christians: Cameroon, Iraq, Mali, Nicaragua
Global Partner Church: The Lutheran Church of Venezuela
For Comfort, Health, Encouragement, and Recovery:
The people of Ukraine
The family of Everett Mason (mourning his death)
The family of Dorothy Hunt (mourning her death)
Jeremy Segovia (recovering from car accident this week)
Avelinda Salgado (Suzanne’s cousin – struggling with challenges)
Virginia Luna (for clarity and provision from God in this season)
Joy Garra (friend of Virginia Mason – diagnosed with breast cancer)
Rosa Figueroa (friend of Alva-Alicia – back in the hospital)
Pat Garcia (cousin of Rick Garza in need of liver transplant)
Linda Wenck (as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment)
Michael Garcia (brother of Eva, battling cancer)
Daniel (brother of Patricia Perez, recovering from surgery)
Diane Beasley
Ana Garcia (cousin of Paul and JoAnn – diagnosed with cancer)
Cecilia Luna (friend of America Alderete – diagnosed with cancer)
Joe Ojeda (blessing and guidance as he begins pastoral formation)
Tillie Cropper
Alex Rivera
Gulley Rivera
Roy Wessel (for God’s provision)
Vicky Dean (sister of Melissa Hild)
Yesenia (daughter of Anna Marquez)
Teresa Medellin (neighbor of Alicia Guerrero)
Mildred Westphal
Albert Pedroza (neighbor of Thomas Robledo)
Cayley (granddaughter of Robert and Linda Chetwood)
Austin Hernden
Robin Beasley Jr
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (805)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer Before Reception of Holy Communion
O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ,
The Son of the living God, who came into the world
To save sinners of whom I am the first.
Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Lord,
For I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies,
Nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, But like the thief I profess to you:
Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.
May the partaking of your Holy mysteries, O Lord,
Be not for my judgment or condemnation,
But for the healing of my soul and body.
O Lord, I also believe and profess, that this,
Which I am about to receive,
Is truly your most precious Body, and your life-giving Blood,
Given for me for remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen
The Service of the Sacrament
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is indeed right and goodto give you thanks and praise,almighty God and everlasting Father,through Jesus Christ your Son. For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that through a pilgrimage of prayer and disciplinewe may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again. Through fasting, prayer and acts of service you bring us back to your generous heart. Through study of your holy word you open our eyes to your presence in the world and free our hands to welcome others into the radiant splendor of your love. As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast with joyful hearts and minds we bless you for your mercy and join with saints and angels forever praising you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Sabaoth adored;
Heaven and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name.
Sing hosana in the highest, sing hosana to the Lord;
Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy, we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us to faithfully eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us to in His own testament. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate, with all the faithful, the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone be all glory, honor, and worship, now and forever.
All Amen.
The Consecration
The Acclamation and Invitation
As often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Behold the Lamb of God, behold Jesus, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
La paz del Señor sea con ustedes.
All Y Tambien contigo
Sharing of the Peace
Greet each other in the name of Jesus by saying, ‘the Peace of the Lord be with you’ as a sign of forgiveness & reconciliation in preparation for reception of the Blessed Sacrament.
Lamb of God
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
Distribution
Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing (421)
Sung by the Choir
Eucharistic Dismissal
Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace (937)
Lord, bid Your servant go in peace,
Your word is now fulfilled.
These eyes have seen salvation’s dawn,
This child so long foretold.
This is the Savior of the world,
The Gentiles’ promised light,
God’s glory dwelling in our midst,
The joy of Israel.
With saints of old, with saints to come,
To You we lift our voice;
To Father, Son, and Spirit blest
Be honor, love, and praise.
Post-Communion Prayer
We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You, that of Your mercy, You would strengthen us in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Announcements
Blessing
Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (643)
Sent forth by God’s blessing, Our true faith confessing,
The people of God from His dwelling take leave,
The Supper is ended. O now be extended
The fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of His teaching, Receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace did invite us, His love shall unite us
To work for God’s kingdom and answer His call.
With praise and thanksgiving To God ever living,
The tasks of our ev’ryday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, In love ever caring,
Embracing His children of each tribe and race.
With Your feast You feed us, With Your light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living With praise and thanksgiving
Give honor to Christ and His name that we bear.
Serving Today @ St. Paul
Musicians Jim Wollmann, Judy Foerster, Ronnie Biediger
Cantor Kevin Moore
Elders Rick Garza, George Fernandez, Joe Ojeda
Lector Roxanne Johnson
Altar Servers Michael Cruz & Chris Leon
Preacher/Celebrant Rev. Dave Murillo (davem@stpaulsa.org)
Liturgist Rev. Carlos Boerger(carlosb@stpaulsa.org)
Parish Administrator Suzanne Segovia (suzannes@stpaulsa.org
CDC Director Deborah Stephenson (deborahs@stpaulsa.org)
Deaconess Claire Jackson
Pastoral Intern Michael Cruz
Announcements
Stations of the Cross
Join us this Wednesday evening @ 7pm for a Stations of the Cross service. The Stations of the Cross have been part of Christian devotion and worship during Lent and Holy Week for centuries. It originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and wanted to retrace the footsteps of Jesus. The service we offer allows people to engage with the path of suffering walked by Jesus using art and music as we gather to pray, sing, and meditate on His passion.
Easter Donations
It is an Easter tradition here at St. Paul to give away Easter baskets as well as cascarones (hallowed out egg with confetti) to all the kids. We are seeking donations to help with this ministry. If you can help, see Judy Simon.
Easter Breakfast
Easter Sunday from 8 – 10am we are having a potluck in the gym before the Easter service. Please see the sheet in the back to signup!
Vacation Bible School
VBS is happening June 19th – June 23rd. Hover on the QR code to sign up!
