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: Rev Nancy Day
LECTOR: Louis Sanders - + +
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.
Third Sunday in Lent March 3, 2024
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Stand as you are able)
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 324 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
(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: Holy God, through your Son you have called us to live faithfully
and act courageously. Keep us steadfast in your covenant of
grace, and teach us the wisdom that comes only through 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: Exodus 20:1-17
After escaping from slavery, the Israelites come to Mount Sinai, where God
teaches them how to live in community. The Ten Commandments proclaim
that God alone is worthy of worship. Flowing from God, the life of
community flourishes when based on honesty, trust, fidelity, and respect for
life, family, and property.
1 Then God spoke all these words:
2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall
not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in
heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the
LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of
parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6 but
showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me
and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the
name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who
misuses his name. 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six
days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a
sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work–you, your son or
your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien
resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the
LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12 Honor your father and
your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your
God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet
your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything
that belongs to your neighbor.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 19
The commandments of the Lord gives light to the eyes. (Ps. 19:8)
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his
handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares
knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to
the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a
strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end
of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD
are sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the
commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD
are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great
reward.
12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have
dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great
transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The word of the cross is pure foolishness and nonsense to the world because
it claims that God is mostly revealed in weakness, humiliation, and death.
But through such divine foolishness and weakness, God is working to save
us. The center of Paul’s preaching is Christ crucified.
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I
will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I
will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is
the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through
wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save
those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness
to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ
the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God’s foolishness is wiser
than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
(Stand as you are able)
Gospel: John 2:13-22
The Holy Gospel according to John Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus attacks the commercialization of religion by driving merchants out of
the temple. When challenged, he responds mysteriously with the first
prediction of his own death and resurrection. In the midst of a seemingly
stable religious center, Jesus suggests that the center itself has changed.
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In
the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money
changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of
them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out
the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told
those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop
making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that
it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then said
to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19 Jesus answered them,
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then
said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will
you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his
body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that
he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had
spoken.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
(You may be seated)
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY: #ELW 634 “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
(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: You alone are God. We thank you for the gift of sabbath rest. Awaken
the church to the mystery of your presence and give us glad hearts as we
receive the good news of your deliverance. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You renew creation. Drive out those who would make the earth a
marketplace. Protect rainforests, mountaintops, oceans, and wilderness
areas from commercial exploitation. Unite nations, policy makers, and
businesses in efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You judge the nations. We pray for an end to war and strife in every
land. Strengthen international efforts to negotiate peace and provide
humanitarian aid to people fleeing from conflict. Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You bring healing and hope. We give thanks for physicians, nurses,
researchers, therapists, and public health workers who prevent and treat
illness. We pray for any who are sick (especially…). Hear us, O God.
C: Your mercy is great.
A: You abide with your people. Sustain any in this community undergoing
life transitions, marriage, divorce, childbirth, adoption, moving,
graduation, employment change, or a death in the family. Hear us, O
God.
C: Your mercy is great.
(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: You bring life from death. We remember our loved ones who have died,
confident that they have new life in you. May we trust that nothing can
separate us from your love. 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 856 “How Great Thou Art”
(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.
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: #ELW 758 “You Are the Way”
(printed in the back of the worship bulletin)
DISMISSAL
P: Go in peace. Share your bread.
C: Thanks be to God. - + +
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 #A-705233. All rights
reserved. Clipart and images as reprinted from Churchart.com license.
Scripture Next Sunday: Fourth Sunday in Lent
Numbers 21:4-9;
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22;
Ephesians 2:1-10;
John 3:14-21
Hymns
(continued on the following page)
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:
Sunday, 10 March 2024 – Daylight Savings Begins Spring Forward and
Hour
Wednesday, 20 March 2024 – Church Council Meeting, 6pm
Sunday, 24 March 2024 – Palm Sunday Service, receive a beautiful palm
cross, Guest Musician Erin Slatton
Friday, 29 March 2024 – Good Friday Service, 12:30pm
Sunday, 31 March 2024 – Easter Service
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.
- + +
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?
