Every day of our lives we are asked or expected to be open to different things, circumstances, experiences, or people. Some are rather minor. Am I open to trying a food I’ve never eaten before? Some could be
life changing. Am I open to considering a perspective that is different from mine? Am I open to a new
job opportunity that presents itself? Am I open to forgiving someone who has harmed me? Am I open to
changing my plans to accommodate another’s need? Am I open to imagining that God is up to something, around which I cannot quite wrap my head? In the story of Nicodemus, we encounter an unfinished person of faith who is desperately trying to be open to understanding what God might be up to in
Jesus. Amid his wondering confusion, Jesus meets him. Amid our own wondering confusion, Jesus
meets us, too.
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
-PRELUDE
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: I lift up my eyes to the hills.
C: From where will my help come?
L: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son
C: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
L: Everyone who believes in him will not perish but may have eternal life.
C: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
L: God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world.
C: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
L: But in order that the world might be saved through him.
C: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
*CONFESSION
L Gracious God,
C We confess that we fail to be open to your vision for the world. In our confusion amid
all that is unfinished in our lives we close ourselves off from where and how your Spirit
calls. Forgive us, and open our hearts and minds so that cross-marked and Spirit-sealed,
we may live into the new life you have bestowed upon us, for the sake of the Gospel, for
the sake of the world. Through Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Lord, Amen.
*ABSOLUTION
L God who is rich in mercy, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love has come to us in
Jesus, who by his holy cross has redeemed the world. Buried with Christ by baptism into
death, your sins are forgiven in +Jesus’ name. Cross-marked and Spirit-sealed, you are
raised to new life. Almighty God strengthen you in faith to live each day renewed in God’s
call for your life.
C: Amen
*GREETING
L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
C And also with you.
*LORD HAVE MERCY (KYRIE) WOV Pg. 28
*HYMN OF PRAISE Bless the Lord, O My Soul (sing 3 times) WOV 798
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
C Open the eyes of our hearts to the mysteries of your saving love, O God, that we might
grasp the hope to which you have called us. Give us a bold understanding of your un
folding vision for us and for your world. Accompany us on our seeking journey, And
lead us to where you would have us go. In the name of Jesus, +Amen.
(Call to Worship, Confession, Absolution & Prayer of the Day are provided by the Nourishing Vocation Project through the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community at St. Olaf College.)
WORD
-FIRST READING: Genesis 12:1-4a
L A reading from Genesis
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
L A reading from Romans
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME (Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION WOV pg.31
*GOSPEL: John 3:1-17
L The holy gospel according to John. C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ
-MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow
-HYMN OF THE DAY Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us ELW 707 3
*NICENE CREED WOV pg. 32
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
each petition ends with
L Merciful God, C receive our prayer.
*SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C And also with you.
(Please share a sign of God’s peace with one another, such as Peace be with you.)
-PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS WOV pg. 35
The Offering is presented at the altar as the Offertory is sung and the Lord’s table is prepared.
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
L Blessed are you,
C O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with
these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the
care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself
for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
MEAL
*GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE & PREFACE
*HOLY (SANCTUS) WOV pg. 36
*PRAYER & WORDS OF INSTITUTION
*LORD’S PRAYER
L We invite you to join as we pray the prayer our Savior taught us:
C 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.
*HOLY COMMUNION
*COMMUNION HYMNS Lamb of God WOV pg. 39
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart WOV 711
-POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
L The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C Amen.
-POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
L Almighty God, you provide the true bread form heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant that we who have received the Sacrament of his body and blood may abide in him
and he in us, that we may be filled with the power of his endless life, now and forever.
C Amen.
SENDING
*BLESSING
L Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C Amen.
*SENDING SONG God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me Screens
*DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Serve in love.
C Thanks be to God.
ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULES
‘ONLINE WORSHIP’ – VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: Alliancestjohns.org
OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AT: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF MARCH 12th– Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11,
John 4:5-42.
COMMUNITY TABLE – Monday, March 20th & 27th at 10:30am. Are you able to help serve? Please
contact the church office at 762-1883.
WORSHIP HELPERS – March 12-Reader– Brian Johnson, Lay Assistant-Ron Henzler, March
19-Reader- Jim Bonsall, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– Wednesdays @ 9:30. 1st & 2nd Corinthians, led by Jody Mischnick
HEAD START BACKPACKS – We are collecting individually packaged items for 31 children! We
provide one bag per child each week with ten items in each bag. At times it is hard to find enough items in
the grocery stores to fill this need, so please be on the look out for prepackaged items. Thank you for all
your generous donations!
GROCERY KART RECEIPTS– We are collecting Grocery Kart receipts to benefit our Preschool next
year. Final collection date is March 31st!
FIRST COMMUNION WORKSHOP – on Saturday, April 1 from 9a-12 Noon. In conjunction
with the First Communion class, we will be collecting items for Personal Care Kits. See the list of items
on the boxes in the Fellowship Room.
BRUNCH– March 12th following worship. See sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Room.
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 2/26/2023 $25,185.88
Giving thru 2/26/2023 $19,650.98
Giving under actual expenses ($5,534.90)
8 Weeks of Budget Expenses $30,527.12 Giving under Budget Expenses ($10,876.14)
