Contact us: 308-762-1883 Email: stjohnsalliancene@gmail.com or contact@alliancestjohns.org
WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader – Jim Bonsall Lay Assistant – Luayne Weisgerber
Fourth Sunday in Lent—The man called Jesus- ‘Called to Attentiveness’
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Look back on the past day, week, or month. Think about how you spent your time and attention. Now
think about what you value, what is important to you. Did your time and attention align with your values? Were you attentive to what really matters in your life, or did other things capture, take, and hold
your attention? And how were you – or are you – shaped by where your attention goes? In the story of
the Man born unable to see, we find an evolution in his attentiveness. Having to repeatedly tell how he
came to have sight, we discover that the more he tells his unfinished story, the less it becomes about
him, and the more it becomes about Jesus. In our own unfinished lives, how does our attentiveness to
who Jesus is and what Jesus does alter, change, or transform us, our stories, and our living?
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
-PRELUDE
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CHOIR ANTHEM
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: The Lord is my Shepherd
C: I shall not want.
L: The Shepherd calls.
C: We hear the Shepherd’s voice.
L: The Shepherd cares for our every need.
C: We are loved.
L: The Shepherd searches for us.
C: We are found.
L: The Shepherd leads us through the deepest valleys.
C: We will not be afraid.
L: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
C: And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
*CONFESSION
L Gracious God,
C We confess that we often invest our attention in misguided places and in misguided
ways. We admit that where we focus our attention can prevent us from recognizing you
at work right in front of us. Forgive us, and help us to center our lives in you so that
cross-marked and Spirit-sealed we may join in your creative and redeeming work for
all 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) (Congregation sings A & C parts.) WOV Pg. 28
*HYMN OF PRAISE Bless the Lord, O My Soul (sing 3 times) WOV 798
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
C When we are distracted by things that cause us to lose track of your call, O God, turn
our attention back to you. that we might recognize you at work in our lives. Direct the
ponderings of our hearts toward where you call us to pay attention. Teach us to regard
your work in all creation and to be attentive to what you are doing. 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: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
L A reading from 1 Samuel
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
-SECOND READING: Ephesians 5:8-14
L A reading from Ephesians
(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 9:1-41
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 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound ELW 779
*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
Blessed Assurance WOV 699
What Feast of Love WOV 701
-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 26th– Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11,
John 11:1-45.
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 26-Reader– Maurine Roller, Lay Assistant– Melinda Ewing,
Apr.2, Palm Sunday– Reader– Patricia Jones, Lay Assistant– Earl Jones.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– Wednesdays @ 9:30. 1st & 2nd Corinthians, led by Jody Mischnick
HEAD START BACKPACKS – We are collecting packaged items for 31 children! We provide one
bag per child each week with ten items in each bag. 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.
PARSONAGE MOWING – We are looking for a volunteer to mow the Parsonage lawn this year. The
mower is provided. Please contact Pastor Megan or the church office at 762-1883. Thank you!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 3/12/2023 $29,914.82
Giving thru 3/12/2023 $24,878.23
Giving under actual expenses ($5,036.59)
10 Weeks of Budget Expenses $38,158.90 Giving under Budget Expenses ($13,280.67)
