April 3, 2022 Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year C

Welcome!

We’re glad you are with us today. Families with young children are invited to

try our PrayGround near the front of the Sanctuary. An usher can help you find it.

Prayer requests can be noted on the

sign-in sheet in the back or via the QR code found in the Epistle.

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Worship Service for Sunday, April 5, 2022

Congregation responses are bold In Person: Please pick up a communion cup with your bulletin

Remember to hum along with the songs At Home: Remember to be ready with your elements for communion.

Wine or grape juice, as well as any type of bread are most appropriate.

Prelude "Albumleaf" (F. Chopin) 10:30 only Dariusz Radziszewski

Announcements Pastor Kathy Nolte Remember to check the Activity sign-up sheets and Prayer list at the entrance.

Prayers included on the Prayer sheet will be included in today’s worship.

Call to Worship Pastor Kathy Nolte

Confession and Forgiveness Pastor Kathy Nolte

There are very few things as powerful as a group of people that admits they are not perfect, and asks for grace as they grow. Imagine what our world might be like if every institution had such a weekly rhythm? Friends, we can light the way. Let us be brave in our truth-telling and honest in our confession. For we will always be met by grace. silence Jesus of Nazareth, we admit that often we tuck our faith into our pockets,

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hiding in a place of comfort rather than proudly declaring: yes we are Christian, yes we believe, yes this faith has changed me. We are so afraid of offending others or embarrassing ourselves that we have established rules: no faith at the dinner table, no faith in politics, no faith with strangers. Forgive us for whispering when we could be singing. Forgive us for staying quiet when we could be part of rewriting the narrative. We want to be brave. We want to pour out perfume over your feet. These things we pray, amen. Family of faith, hear this good news: Even in our silence, God loves us. Even in our fear or shame, God chooses us. Even when we sin, God wraps us in grace. You are free—to be bold, to be brazen, to be exactly who God called you to be. Thanks be to God, amen.

Gathering Hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" ELW 338 Dr. Carl Heine & Ensemble

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Greeting Pastor Kathy Nolte

The immeasurable grace of Christ Jesus, the rich mercy of God, and the unity of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

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Opening Prayer Pastor Kathy Nolte

Reading "First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21 Gail Frost

16Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19I 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. 20The 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, 21the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Reading Silent Dialogue Gail Frost

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet,

and wiped them with her hair. -John 12:3a Mary of Bethany and Jesus share an intimacy analogous to the Soul and the Beloved in prayer – wordless dialogue surrounded by a depth of mutual silence that words might diminish.

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When Jesus arrives after Lazarus dies, Martha meets him on the road. They engage in a profound conversation only the two of them can bring forth from the depth of their friendship. (John 11:20-27) But when Martha's sister Mary meets Jesus on the same road, he can only weep. Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 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. -John 12:1-3 Judas complains that the nard is too extravagant. The text tells us that he objects because he is a thief, but perhaps he objects to the intimacy that he senses. Jesus then announces publicly that Mary's extravagant gesture has a message. Did the others give any sign that they heard him? Embarrassed, did they awkwardly ignore him? Mary heard him. A wordless dialogue takes place. Like Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, Mary and Jesus discuss Jesus' Exodus - the now imminent Passion. Mary: I know. Jesus: I know that you know. Mary: Now I know that you know that I know. Love's deep silence surrounds their mutual understanding - a sphere unshattered by words. Only love and only prayer can enter the soul's darkness with such intimacy. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Lenten Testimony Kelly Moreland and Amy Liss

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Gospel John 12:1-8 Pastor Kathy Nolte

The Holy Gospel according to John, the 12th Chapter.

Glory to you, O Lord.

1Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he

had raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and

Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.

3Mary 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.

4But 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.)

7Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of

my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

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

Children’s Sermon Pastor Kathy Nolte

Sermon Pastor Kathy Nolte

Video Meditation "Within, Everywhere, and Always” by Kelly Ann Hall and The Work of the People

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Affirmation of Faith Pastor Kathy Nolte I believe in beauty— beauty pulled into being by our Creator, beauty that catches our breath, beauty that turns us toward awe. I believe in courage— courage to believe, courage to stand up for the people we love, courage to love without hesitation. I believe in the Holy Spirit who prays for us when we cannot, who is brave for us when we are not. I believe in Jesus Christ who stood up for Mary, who quieted the voice of critique, who welcomed every bid for relationship. I believe in God. I believe in God who believes in us. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession Meinrad Scherer-Emunds (You are invited to pray silently after each prayer petition)

Your prayer submitted either through the Prayers and More online portal or written on today’s Prayer sheet during in-person worship will be included today.

See the Epistle or Prayers and More link for details.

Offering Prayer Pastor Kathy Nolte

Sharing of the Peace Pastor Kathy Nolte

Please be mindful of Social Distancing. The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

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Communion Pastor Kathy Nolte

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 God thanks and praise.

Lord’s Prayer Pastor Kathy Nolte

Abba Imma/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 Pastor Kathy Nolte

Here is food and drink for the journey. Take and be filled.

All are invited to commune by opening the bread and wine.

Post Communion Prayer Pastor Kathy Nolte

Benediction Pastor Kathy Nolte

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Closing Hymn "Holy Woman, Graceful Giver" ACS 1002 Dr. Carl Heine & Ensemble

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Dismissal Pastor Kathy Nolte

Go in peace. Jesus meets you on the way.

Thanks be to God!

Postlude "Tempo di Minuetto" (F. Kreisler) 10:30 only

Evan Campbell

Take Home Idea:

Wellness Wheel: Physical

• You are the image of God. How is that reflected in your life in

a real and physical way?

• What gives you joy and makes you feel good in your body?

• Think of someone who is going through a hard time, either physically or

mentally and send them a note of encouragement.

Acknowledgments:

Theme graphic, Opening Prayer, Confession, and Affirmation of Faithby Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed, A Sanctified Art LLC, sanctifiedart.org; Offering Prayer by Spill the Beans vol. 42C; Prayers of Intercession, Post Communion Prayer and Benediction from SundaysandSeasons.com; 2nd Reading by Suzanne Guthrie EdgeoftheEnclosure.com; Gathering Hymn: Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869, Music: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927; Closing Hymn: Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, B. 1953, Music: ALABASTER JAR, Anne Krentz Organ, b. 1960, © Augsburg Fortress; all rights reserved; Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Annual Liturgies License #26258, All used by permission

Lead Pastor – Rev. Kathy Nolte Assoc. Pastor – Rev. Kerstin Hedlund Dir. Christian Ed – Deac. Debbie Speer Office Administrator – Kimberly Adami-Hasegawa Dir. of Music – Dr. Carl Heine Treasurer – Dan Feiertag Council President – Troy Koch Council V.P – Pete Chapman Council Sec. – Richard Sehl

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A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

611 Randolph Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302

708-848-4741 ⬧ churchoffice@goodshepherdlc.org ⬧ goodshepherdlc.org

Embracing the diversity of God’s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ.