Grace Lutheran Church and Preschool
2108 North Euclid Ave., Upland, Ca 91784
www.graceupland.org 909-982-2954
March 10, 2024
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Pastor: Wesley Menke, wesmenke@gmail.com
Office Assistant: Teruni Evans, graceupland@gmail.com
Preschool Director: Gayle Romine, glpupland@gmail.com
Music Director: Tatiana Thibodeaux, tatianathibodeaux@gmail.com
Lay Participants 8:30
Lector: Brian Atkinson
Usher: Roy Clinton
Communion: Roberta Morton
Acolyte:
Grace & Katherine Morton
Cantor: Joisanne Dailey
Sound: Roberta Morton
Broadcast: Roberta Morton
Refreshments: Sergio & Anne Prest-Porto
Lay Participants 11:00
Lector: Lois Dieter
Usher: Clayton & Austin Thom
Communion: Aurora Steuer
Cantor: Ralph Dieter
Flowers are in celebration of
Jerry and Ingrid Uhlers’ anniversary!
Please give Prayer Requests to usher during Hymn of the Day; it will be included on the prayer list for two weeks.
*Denotes standing as you are able
PRELUDE
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God: living water, solid rock, and brilliant light. Amen
Joined by Christ let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your image and placed us in a well-watered garden. You were baptized in the River Jordan; sacred water in the desert.
We praise you for your salvation through water, for the water in this font, for the snow on Mt. Baldy, for San Antonio and Cucamonga Creeks, and for all water everywhere. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ, our living water, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING SONG Give to Our God Immortal Praise! ELW 848
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE What Wondrous Love is This ELW 666
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.
WORD
CHILDREN’S SERMON
FIRST READING: Numbers 21:4-9
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.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 107:1-3, 17-22
1Give thanks to the Lord, for the | Lord is good,
for God’s mercy en- | dures forever.
2Let the redeemed of the | Lord proclaim
that God redeemed them from the hand | of the foe,
3gathering them in | from the lands;
from the east and from the west, from the north and | from the south.
17Some were fools and took re- | bellious paths;
through their sins they | were afflicted.
18They loathed all man- | ner of food
and drew near | to death’s door.
19Then in their trouble they cried | to the Lord
and you delivered them from | their distress. R
20You sent forth your | word and healed them
and rescued them | from the grave.
21Let them give thanks to you, Lord, for your | steadfast love
and your wonderful works | for all people.
22Let them offer sacrifices | of thanksgiving
and tell of your deeds with | shouts of joy. R
SECOND READING: Ephesians 2:1-10
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.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION*
HOLY GOSPEL* according to John 3:4-21
Glory to you Oh Lord.
[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 Oh Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF DAY* ELW 660
APOSTLES CREED* Lector
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
THE PRAYERS* Lector
Trusting in God’s promise to reconcile all things, let us pray for the church, the well-being of creation, and a world in need.
A brief silence.
Gracious God, your love unites. Give vision to the global church and foster cooperation in mission. Increase inter-religious understanding and ecumenical dialog. Make your church a sanctuary for all fleeing persecution, disaster, and war . Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Creating God, your love enlivens. Restore balance to the earth’s fragile habitats. Preserve wilderness lands, rainforests, and wildlife. Cleanse oceans and rivers. Make us good stewards of the earth. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Righteous God, your love liberates. We give thanks for those who courageously witness to your liberating love. Free all people from the evils of racism, religious strife, and hatred. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Merciful God, your love heals. Care tenderly for all whose loved ones perished from pandemic disease in every nation. Strengthen health care workers, first responders, and caregivers. Relieve all who live with chronic illness and pain. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Incarnate God, your love enlightens. Open our hearts and minds to fresh understandings of our faith. Deepen our love for you and for one another. Teach us to pray for our enemies. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
03/03
Dianne as she goes back to surgery. (Jim Z)
Sam, on going health issues, discharged from hospital to extended care (Maria S)
Ingrid continued recovery from leg surgery ( Jeff T)
Bob Meyers hip surgery ( Pastor Wesley)
Dane(Great Grandson) ruptured appendix, surgery and recovery (Joyce Frevert)
02/25
Family of Bridgett H.
Timothy Douglas, cancer surgery (Uhlers)
Barbara, heart problems, and Julie, cancer ( AS)
Sandy Rudder, for healing and good results on medical tests this week.
My teacher’s mom in Texas has medical issues and sickness ( Grace M)
Darlene Thom healing from surgery, for peace and positive results. Happy Birthday.(Morton family)
Chuck C., Chester O., Mary Ann M., Maria Sa., Alicia R., Sandy H.
Abiding God, your love saves. Those who died in the faith are made alive in Christ. We give thanks for your promise that we also will be raised to newness of life. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
MEAL
OFFERING Gathered for mission & the care of those in need. Table is set.
OFFERING HYMN O God You Search Me ACS 1082
OFFERING PRAYER*
God of abundance,
receive and bless these gifts we have offered.
Strengthen us to share with all the world
the abundance of your grace upon grace,
poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING*
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,...we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS*
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE*
LORD’S PRAYER*
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
COMMUNION
☩ All who are hungry come to the table, and be fed and forgiven.
The ushers will invite you to the altar. Stand or kneel, open your hands to receive the bread, you may dip in the common cup. Cross your arms to receive a blessing.
AGNUS DEI
COMMUNION SONG When I Survey the Wondrous Cross ELW 803
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Holy God, you provide Jesus the true bread from heaven. Fill us with the power of your life, now and forever. Amen
NUNC DIMITTIS
SENDING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The God of peace bless you,
the love of Christ sustain you in hope,
and the anointing of the Spirit ☩ remain upon you
now and forever. Amen.
SENDING SONG O God of Mercy,God of Light ELW 714
DISMISSAL
Go in peace.
You are God’s beloved
Thanks be to God.
Readings for next week :
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12, Hebrew 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
Announcements:
Women’s AA Wednesday 6:00 pm
Soup Suppers 7:00pm, Prayer 7:30 pm Wednesdays
March 13, March 20
Bible Study Thursdays 10:30am
Piecemakers Fridays 9:00am
Picture Day for Photo Directory March 10
Building & Grounds Campus Cleanup March 16 - Join us!
Palm Passion Sunday March 24
Education Committee March 24 1:00pm
Council meeting by Zoom March 26, 7:15pm
Maundy Thursday March 28, 7:00pm
Good Friday March 30, 7:00pm
Vigil of Easter March 30, 8:00pm
Easter Sunday Potluck Breakfast and Egg Hunt March 31
Inreach Fellowship Committee April 14, 9:45am
Worship Committee meeting April 16 10am
Spring Tea April 20, Diane Abrams in charge
Congregational Meeting April 21
Vacation Bible School June 24 - 28
