Immanuel Lutheran Church
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Lenten Midweek Services
March 22, 2006
Randy Walquist, Pastor
Charlie Pflieger, Principal
OPENING HYMN
P: In the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
P: Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,
C: Whose sins are covered.
P: Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him,
C: In whose spirit is no deceit.
P: When I kept silent,
C: My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
P: Then I acknowledged my sin to You
C: I did not cover up my iniquity.
P: I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord."
C: And He forgave the guilt of my sin.
P: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
C: I will counsel you and watch over you.
P: Do not be like the horse or the mule,
C: Which have no understanding.
P: They must be controlled by bit and bridle
C: Or they will not come to you.
P: Many are the woes of the wicked,
C: But the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.
P: Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
C: Sing, all you who are upright in heart! (See Psalm 32)
P: Let us pray:
C: Merciful God, tonight we spend quiet moments thinking about individuals who might be considered by many to be failures. We admit to You and to one another that we fit into the category of "failures." We have been selfish and greedy. We have been slow to obey Your Law in every respect. We have been reluctant to stand up and confess You. We have failed You and one another. We have tried to cover up our sin. Wash us of our iniquity for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
P: O people of God, the Lord has heard your prayer. He has compassion on His people for the sake of Jesus Christ. His promises are sure. He promises, though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow! Trust His forgiveness which is free in Jesus!
C: Amen! Thanks be to God!
BIBLE READINGS
CONFESSION OF FAITH (from the
Augsburg Confession):
Article XII (Concerning Repentance):
Concerning repentance our churches teach that those who have fallen after
baptism can receive forgiveness of sins whenever they are brought to repentance
and that the church should impart absolution to those who return to repentance.
Now, properly speaking, repentance consists of two parts: one is contrition or
the terrors that strike the conscience when sin is recognized; the other is
faith, which is brought to life by the gospel or absolution. This faith
believes that sins are forgiven on account of Christ, consoles the conscience,
and liberates it from terrors. Thereupon good works, which are the fruit
of repentance, should follow.
Article XX (Concerning Faith and Good Works):
Our people teach that it is necessary to do good works, not that we should count on meriting grace through them but because it is the will of God. It is only by faith that forgiveness of sins and grace are apprehended. Moreover, because the Holy Spirit is received through faith, consequently hearts are renewed and endowed with new affections so as to be able to do good works...For without the Holy Spirit human powers are full of ungodly affections and are too weak to do good works before God...Without faith human nature cannot possibly do the works of the First or Second Commandments. Without faith it does not call upon God, expect anything from God, or bear the cross, but seeks and trusts in human help. Consequently, all kinds of urges and human designs rule in the heart when faith and trust in God are lacking. That is why Christ said (in John 15): "Apart from Me you can do nothing."
HYMN
MESSAGE (Quiet Moments with Those who Knew Jesus Best): "With the Criminal" (Luke 23:32-43)
HYMN OF RESPONSE
OFFERING
PRAYERS
P: Lord, have mercy on us.
C: Christ, have mercy on us.
P: Lord, have mercy on us.
C: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
P: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, You shed Your blood for the remission of our sins. We pray You to give us hearts to receive Your message of love, and to respond with lives of love and service to You. Empower us to place no trust in human power or in our abilities. Give us faith to trust You boldly, hope to place our souls in You. Build our faith that we may serve You fully, until that day when we finally enter into the gates of paradise with joy, for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, on God, forever and ever.
C: Amen. 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 for ever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION:
P: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look
upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN