WELCOME to each of you gathered for worship this morning. Please take a
moment to complete the attendance sheet and place it in the offering plate
when it is passed.
Love Lutheran Church
3730 MacArthur Blvd.
New Orleans, La 70114
504-362-1967
Love Lutheran e-mail addresses: lovelutheran68@gmail.com
Love Lutheran Website: www.lovelutheran.org
Love Lutheran is a Member of the ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America website at: www.elca.org
Gulf Coast Synod website at: www.gulfcoastsynod.org
Follow us on Facebook: Love Lutheran Church New Orleans
- + +
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
“Sharing God’s love and His promise for tomorrow
Engaging with God’s children to carry the light of
Jesus Christ from the altar through the door.”
Louis Sanders – Council President
Bruce Soltis – Vice-President
Dr. Eric Hahn – Secretary
Anni Hahn – Treasurer
PRESIDING AT WORSHIP: Pastor Lisa Gaye
LECTOR: Dixie Adkins - + +
IN OUR PRAYERS
Congregation Prayers:
Mary S.
Melissa G.
Sharon S.
Dianne R.
Lyn W.
Robert O.
Kevin T.
Ken and Sandy F.
Phillip B.
Denise D. R.
Jamie J.
Hans H.
Rick and Gabe L.
Laurie S.
Andrew D.
Arlene O.
Jean F.
Trish F.
Terrie and Willie C.
Wayne Prayers:
Sarah S.
Joyce B.
Jodee J.
Lu C.
Janice B.
Dixie A.
Alex A.
Adam A.
Julien A.
Alisha A.
Loretta W.
Ron P.
Dixie Prayers:
Sarah S.
Joyce B.
Jo Ellen Smith Nursing
Home
Elaine Prayers:
David and Kim T.
Joshua and Savannah T.
David T. Jr.
Steven and Jackie T.
Terri M.
Jackie P.
Shirley L.
Louis M.
Lane and Ronnie W.
Landen T.
Elaina C. and Children
Diangelo
Leya and Aaliyah
Gwenn J. and Family
Lisa and Claude M.
Claude and Elaine J.
Pastor Lisa Prayers:
Community and World
For those who work and live in nursing homes
Staff of United Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund
Our military serving here and abroad
We pray also for Love Lutheran Church and for all those in need of healing power of
God’s love.
Ask and it will be given to you: Our Lord invites us to bring all our cares and concerns
to him and trust in his mercy and grace. If you have prayer concerns please let Pastor
Gaye know by noon on Wednesday so that your prayer request may be included in the
prayers of the people at Sunday worship. Please inform Pastor Gaye if your prayer
request needs to be extended longer than two weeks. - + +
LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Interim Clergy: Rev. Lisa Gaye Adult Bible Study: 9:00 A.M.
Office: 504-362-1967 Worship: 10:00 A.M.
Second Sunday in Lent February 25, 2024
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Stand as you are able)
PRELUDE Jazz Trio
Brian King, Guitar; Zachery Greene, Upright Bass; Chris Zonada Clarinet
Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”
BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from
whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and
worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.
(Silence is kept for reflection)
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.
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.
P: In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and
for his sake God forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained
minister of the church of Christ and by his authority. I therefore declare
to you the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father,
and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OPENING HYMN: #ELW 779 “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
THE GREETING
P: 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.
THE KYRIE
THE HYMN OF PRAISE: “Now the Feast and Celebration”
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray.
C: O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you make an
instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life. Grant
us so to glory in the cross of Christ that we may gladly suffer
shame and loss for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior
and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever. Amen.
(You may be seated)
First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
As with Noah, God makes and everlasting covenant with Abraham and Sarah.
God promises this old couple that they will be the ancestors of nation,
through they have no child together, God will miraculously bring forth new
life from Sarah’s womb. The name changes emphasize the firmness of God’s
promise.
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and
said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. 2 And I
will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly
numerous.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, 4 “As for me,
this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of
nations. 5 No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be
Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. 6 I will
make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall
come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant between me and you, and
your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting
covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
15 God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai,
but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you
a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of
peoples shall come from her.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 22:23-31
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord. (Ps. 22:27)
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did
not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay
before those who fear him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall
praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the
families of the nations shall worship before him.
28 For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall
bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the
Lord,
31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has
done it.
Second Reading: Romans 4:13-25
Paul presents Abraham as the example for how a person comes into a right
relationship with God not through works of the law but through faith.
Though Abraham and Sarah were far too old for bearing children, Abraham
trusted God would accomplish what God had promised to accomplish.
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham
or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and
the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law,
neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that
the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not
only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of
Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you
the father of many nations”) –in the presence of the God in whom he
believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that
do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the
father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall
your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his
own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred
years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No
distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong
in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was
able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith “was reckoned to
him as righteousness.” 23 Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were
written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us
who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was
handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
(Stand as you are able)
Gospel: Mark 8:31-38
The Holy Gospel according to Mark Glory to you, O Lord.
After Peter confesses his belief that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus tells his
disciples for the first time what is to come. Peter’s response indicates that
he does not yet understand the way of the cross that Jesus will travel.
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great
suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and
looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan!
For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to
become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and
follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who
lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For
what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are
ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of
them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his
Father with the holy angels.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
(You may be seated)
HYMN OF THE DAY: #ELW 774 “What a Fellowship, What a Joy
Divine”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
SERMON
(Stand as you are able)
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And 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 of the body,
And life everlasting. Amen.
(You may be seated)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
A: 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)
A: We turn to you for meaning, holy God. Nurture in your children the gifts
of the Spirit poured out in baptism and let the mind of Christ guide the
church. Give wisdom and discernment to our bishops, pastors, deacons,
teachers, and leaders. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: We turn to your for renewal. Save lives and ecosystems threatened by
pollution and a changing climate. Cleanse the earth’s waters and restore
the soil. Preserve rainforests, deserts, and wildlife, that generations to
come may cherish your creation. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: We turn to you for justice. Uphold the worth and dignity of every person,
especially any who experience hatred and rejection. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: We turn to you for healing. Send compassionate helpers to any who
suffer because of war and violence. Shelter unhoused people, befriend
those who are lonely, bring hope to any in despair, and console the
bereaved. Keep us mindful of any who are homebound, hospitalized,
convalescing, or traveling (especially…). Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: We turn to you for purpose. Remind us of your faithfulness to this
congregation. Increase our trust in your guidance and keep us near the
cross. Grant that our acts of service will express Christ’s sacrificial love.
Hear us, O God.
C: receive our prayer.
(Here other intercessions may be offered spoken aloud or in our hearts.)
(After each petition we respond:)
A: Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: We turn to you for peace. We honor the saints who lived in service to
others. Inspire us by their example until you gather us into your
kingdom. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
P: Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of
our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
C: Amen.
P: Lord Jesus, you said to your apostles: I leave you my peace, my peace I
give you. Look not on the sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant
us peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.
C: Amen.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(You may be seated)
THE OFFERING
(Stand as you are able)
THE OFFERTORY: “As the Grains of Wheat”
Printed on the following page
THE OFFERTORY PRAYER
A: Let us pray, Merciful God,
C: everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. We joyfully
release what you have entrusted to us. May these gifts be signs
of our whole lives returned to you, dedicated to the healing and
unity of all creation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
PROPER PREFACE
P: It is truly good, right, and salutary, that we should at all times, and in all
places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God,
and now You bid Your people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for
the paschal feast. Renew our zeal in faith and life, and bring us to the
fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God..
Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven,
we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and
saying:
THE SANCTUS:
(printed on the following page)
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed,
took bread and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying:
‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of Me.’
“In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, gave thanks,
and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you;
this cup is the New Testament in My blood,
which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins.
Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim
the Lord’s death until he comes.
P: We say together
C: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Amen
P: Let us pray:
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.
THE COMMUNION
P: The gifts of God for the people of God, feed on them in your heart with
thanksgiving.
C: Amen
(You may be seated)
The Communion follows:
the congregation sings “Lamb of God”
(printed on the following page)
(Stand as you are able)
COMMUNION HYMN: #ELW 838 “Beautiful Savior”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
A: Let us pray.
Generous God, at this table we have tasted your immeasurable grace,
now make us one loaf to feed the world: in the name of Jesus, the Bread
of life.
C: Amen.
INSTALLATION OF LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS
THE BENEDICTION
P: Beloved, we are God’s own people, holy, washed, renewed. God bless
you and keep you, shower you with mercy, fill you with courage, and (+)
give you peace.
C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN: # “When the Saints Go Marching In”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
DISMISSAL
P: Go in peace. Share your bread.
C: Thanks be to God.
PRELUDE Jazz Trio
Brian King, Guitar; Zachery Greene, Upright Bass; Chris Zonada Clarinet
Hymn: “Do Lord” - + +
Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible with Apocrypha.
Copyrighted elements of Revised Common Lectionary, liturgical texts, and liturgical music used
by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license number SB144485. All music and portions of
the liturgical music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A705233. All rights reserved. Clipart and images as reprinted from
Churchart.com license.
Scripture Next Sunday: Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 20:1-17;
Psalm 19;
1 Corinthians 1:18-25;
John 2:13-22
Hymns
ANNOUNCEMENTS
In the event of an emergency you may contact Pastor Gaye at the church office
(504) 362-1967.
Cell Phones: We are requesting that members and visitors please silence
your cell phones to “off” while in the sanctuary and we are in worship service.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please consider a donation to the Memorial Engelbracht Guest Musician Fund.
Donation envelopes can be found in the rear of the church.
If you wish to help to aid in the recovery of victims of disaters, donations can
be made through Lutheran Disaster Relief at LDR.com.
The Gulf Coast Synod seeks individuals from the Bayou Conference to serve
on the Lutheran Disaster Relief Team. Let Pastor know if you are interested
in serving on this team.
Volunteer at ELCA Youth Gathering: Would you like to volunteer at the 2024
ELCA Youth Gathering AND get the chance to attend the Young Adult
Gathering? Apply as a Servant Companion to get the best of both worlds in
New Orleans. The general deadline is January 15. Questions? Contact Rev.
Andrew C. Patty, Servant Companion Manager for the 2024 ELCA Youth
Gathering.
“Souper” Bowl of Caring– We had a very successful collection of soup cans
and monetary donations that were collected for this year. The United
Churches of Algiers Emergency Fund Food Bank is very appreciative of our
continued efforts to support them and the community.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 6700 Westbank Expressway, Marrero, LA
70072, (504) 347-4121: As in past years, you and your Love Lutheran
friends are invited to worship and fellowship with us throughout the Lenten
Season. All midweek Wednesday services will begin at 7 PM and there will
be simple suppers (soup, salad, light meal) beginning at 6:15. Our Seder
Passover dinner worship meal will be March 28 at 6:30 PM. Please feel
welcome to join us in any and all of our worship events.
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Daily devotional website as suggested by
Pastor Lisa Gaye
https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/
Meditation on the Lessons – Take Home
Prayer:
O Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scripture to be
written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them,
read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest your word, that
we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of
everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior
Jesus Christ, Amen.
- Identify a passage from scripture today that touches your life.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit as you write: “From what I’ve heard and shared,
what do I believe God wants me to do or be? Is God inviting me to change in
any way?
From the Lambeth/African Bible Study Method EPCUSA
GUEST MUSICIANS
Brian King was born and raised in the culturally rich city of New Orleans.
He studied guitar and piano at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
and went on to receive a Bachelors in Music from Oberlin Conservatory and a
Masters in Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Brian has
performed throughout the United States and Europe and has received
numerous prizes from competitions including the Southern Guitar Festival
Competition and the New Orleans International Guitar Competition. With
creative influences coming mainly from the jazz and folk music of New
Orleans, King’s performances offer listeners a rich musical tapestry.
Chris Zonada is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and award-winning
composer whose musical experiences include symphony orchestras, jazz big
bands, musical theater, rock bands, and marching drumline. He has
appeared as a featured artist with the Ozone Songwriter Festival as well as a
senior faculty advisor with the Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts where
he teaches percussion/ drums, woodwinds, guitar, and piano.
Zach Greene is a Florida native with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies and
performance on bass from the University of Central Florida. He has worked
with many different people, such as The Bill Evans Trio drummer Marty
Morell, Pat Metheny Group drummer Danny Gottlieb, saxophonists George
Garzone and Jeff Rupert, and bassist and pianist Richard Drexler. He played
on the Flying Horse Big Band record “Good News,” which was on the national
jazz charts for three months in 2019, even reaching the top 20’s. While in
Florida, Zach worked for William-Claire Entertainment and played with
national touring acts such as The Bachelors of Broadway and The Divas. He
was also employed by Suman Entertainment Agency, who hires for cruise
liners. Zach is currently a teacher at the Louisiana Academy of Performing
Arts and teaches violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, piano, and low brass.
