Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchEstablished 1874

Rev. Kerry B. Eversole, PastorDeacon Cindy Cordes-Eversole, Associate in Ministry

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 314, Lanesboro, MN 55949-0314Physical Address: 200 Kenilworth Ave S, Lanesboro, Minn.

Telephone: 507.467.3344E-mail Address: bethlehem@acegroup.ccWeb Page: www.staronthehill.comFacebook Page: Bethlehem Lutheran Church Lanesboro

Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Parsonage Phone:

507.467.3017Pastor Kerry’s Cell Phone:

507.951.3954

Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchLanesboro, Minnesota

First Sunday in LentFebruary 21, 2021

After Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:9, 12-13

Welcome to worship at Bethlehem Lutheranand our Lenten journey with Jesus to Jerusalem

Being Together in Church in the Time of COVID-19. Church members and visitors are required to wear a face covering or mask when in the building and during the service when they are able. They must sanitize their hands upon entering the church and frequently while in the building and wash their hands after using the lavatories. They must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people not in the same household. Please follow ushers’ directions when entering and exiting the sanctuary to maintain proper physical distancing including which pew you may sit in and where in the pew you may sit.

Worship Practices and Restrictions. Hymnals will not be available in the pews. A full-service bulletin is placed on the pew where an individual worshipper may sit but it should not be shared. If you have a smart phone, slides of the order of worship can be viewed on our Facebook page, #BethlehemLutheranLanesboro. No shaking of hands, hugging, fist-bumping, high-fiving, etc., to greet one another before, during, or after worship. Instead, say “Good morning!” or “Glad you are here!” or “Hello!” … with eye contact! No standing together in groups before or after worship. Speaking and singing will be permitted but only while wearing a face covering or mask. There will be no passing of offering plates. Plates are located at the entrances/exits where you can place your offering. Sorry, no coffee or fellowship after worship.

Abbreviations. Throughout this worship folder P: refers to the presiding minister or preacher, A: denotes an assisting minister, and C: and/or bold text indicates the congregation.

GatheringThe Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

Introduction to the day. On Ash Wednesday the church began its annual journey toward baptismal immersion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year, the Sundays in Lent focus on five covenants God makes in the Hebrew Scriptures and use them as lenses through which to view baptism. Today, First Peter connects the way God saved Noah’s family in the flood with the way God saves us through the water of baptism.

The baptismal covenant is made with us individually, but the new life we are given in baptism is for the sake of the whole world.

An means that you may stand, as you are comfortably able.

PRELUDE Sue Holst

RINGING OF THE BELL

OPENING HYMN A Mighty Fortress Is Our God ELW # 504

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.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P: Holy God, heavenly Father,All: in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the

wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WordGod speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

FIRST READING Genesis 9:8-17

Today’s reading is the conclusion to the flood story. Because of human sin, God destroys the earth by flood, saving only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark. Yet divine destruction gives way to divine commitment. As in the first creation, God blesses humanity and establishes a covenant with all creatures.

8God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9“As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13I have set my bow in the clouds,

Continued on the next page.and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

A: The word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 25:1-101To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.3Let none who look to you be put to shame; rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.4Show me your ways, O LORD, and teach me your paths.5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.6Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting.7Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.8You are gracious and upright, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners in your way.

9You lead the lowly in justice and teach the lowly your way.10All your paths, O LORD, are steadfast love and faithfulness to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.

PSALM HYMN I Will Call Upon the Lord

Text and music are printed at the back of the bulletin

SECOND READING 1 Peter 3:18-22

As God acted through Christ’s suffering and death to bring us to God, so God acts through baptism to save us from a sinful existence. This spiritual cleansing marks our new life in Christ.18Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

A: The word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Mark 1:9-15

P: Announcement of the Gospel.C: Glory to you, O Lord.

The Spirit that comes upon Jesus at his baptism sustains him when he is tested by Satan so that he might proclaim the good news of God’s reign.9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the

heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

P: Affirmation of the Gospel.C: Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON Deacon CindyHYMN OF THE DAY O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days ELW # 319

Responding to God’s WordTHANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

P: Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit,and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C: Amen.

BAPTISM HYMN Thy Holy Wings ELW # 613

WORD ABOUT THE OFFERING

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Each prayer ends with these words and response:

A: … let us pray.C: Have mercy, O God.

Concluding prayer and response:

A: Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.

C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER Traditional Wording

P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

All: 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.

SendingGod blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING

P: You are what God made you to be:created in Christ Jesus for good works,chosen as holy and beloved,freed to serve your neighbor.God bless you ☩ that you may be a blessing,in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity.

C: Amen.

DEPARTING SONG Bless Now, O God, the Journey ELW # 326

DISMISSAL

A: Go in peace. Share the good news.C: Thanks be to God.

RINGING OF THE BELL

POSTLUDE Sue Holst

I Will Call Upon the Lord

Prayer RequestsIn Our Community. For our church members and friends living with chronic illness and other diseases, homebound, residing in care facilities, and hospitalized. See the newsletter for our members living in area nursing homes. And let us not forget those sick and dying of COVID-19.

In Our Synod. Bishop Regina Hassanally invites the congregations of our synod to make a commitment to pray this week for the following faith communities: Stordahl Lutheran Church, Zumbrota; Grace Lutheran Church, Austin St. Paul ELCA/UCC Church, Lewiston; Kinambeu Lutheran Church, Tanzania; Itigi Lutheran Church, Tanzania; Solo Por Fe, Lutheran Church, Colombia.

This Week in Our CongregationWednesday, February 24 — Midweek Lent

Places of the Passion at Bethlehem Lutheran and online 7:00 PM

AcknowledgementsPermission to Podcast / Stream provided by Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc., under License # 11459672. Additional fee paid. www.ccli.com.

Permission to Podcast / Stream provided by One License under License # A-735588. Additional fee paid. www.onelicense.net.

Permission to livestream or podcast liturgy and music content under copyright to or administered by Augsburg Fortress provided under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SAS103296.

PowerPoint® Slides, Worship Texts, and Graphics are from sundaysandseasons.com © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SAS103296.

Some Worship Texts are from Worship in the Home for Sunday, February 21, 2021, prepared by the ELCA Worship Office for use during this time of world-wide crisis because congregations of this church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ. Published on the ELCA website, https://blogs.elca.org/worship/3423/.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: Martin Luther, 1483-1546. Tune: EIN FESTE BURG; Public Domain.

I Will Call Upon the Lord Text and music: Michael O'Shields © 1981 MCA Music Publ., A.D.O. Universal Studio (Admin. by Universal Music Publishing Group). Sound III, Inc. (Admin. by Universal Music Publishing Group). Used by permission of Christian Copyright Licensing International, Inc. CCLI Song # 11263. CCLI License # 11459672. www.ccli.com.

O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days Text: based on Claudia F. Hernaman, 1838-1898l; para. Gilbert E. Doan Jr., b. 1930; © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Music: A. Davisson, Kentucky Harmony, 1816; Tune: CONSOLATION.arr. Theodore A. Beck, 1929-2003; © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission of One License, LLC, Song # 11862 & 52282. License # A-735588. www.onelicense.net.

Thy Holy Wings Text Carolina Sandell Berg, 1832-1903, sts 1, 3; Gracia Grindal, b. 1943, st. 2; tr. composite; © 1983 Gracia Grindal, admin. Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Music: Swedish folk melody; Tune: BRED DINA VIDA VINGAR; Public Domain; arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of One License, LLC, Song # 25950. License # A-735588. www.onelicense.net.

Bless Now, O God, the Journey Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1955-1993; © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc. Music: Welsh melody, 19th cent. Tune: LLANGLOFFAN; Public Domain.

Used by permission of One License, LLC, Song # 08081. License # A-735588. www.onelicense.net .

PLACES OF THE PASSIONA SERIES OF SERVICES FOR THE SEASON OF LENT

Join us during Lent for this series of services in which we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, contemplating what happened at each spot Jesus stopped along the path of his Passion for the sake of the world.

Each service explores the meaning, history, and spiritual inspiration associated with the location highlighted. You will learn things you may not have known before as you grow to understand more deeply the hard road Jesus traveled so that the way to heaven might be open to us.

Except for Ash Wednesday, services will alternate between Bethlehem and Fountain. NO light supper before any of the services.

Ash Wednesday, February 17. In this service marking the beginning of Lent, we go to Jerusalem, the place of the Passover, where Jesus gathers with the crowds and sacrifices himself for us.

Wednesday, February 24. In the service for Week 1 of Lent, the place of the Passion is Bethany, where Jesus is anointed for burial by his friend Mary, at her home in this small town.

Wednesday, March 3. In this service for Week 2 of Lent, the place of the Passion is the Mount of Olives, where Jesus went with his disciples to pray.

Wednesday, March 10. In the service for Week 3 of Lent, the place of the Passion is the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is betrayed and arrested under cover of darkness.

Wednesday, March 17. In the service for Week 4 of Lent, the place of the Passion is the Courtyard, outside of where Jesus is put on trial before the high priest and where Peter denies Jesus.

Wednesday, March 24. In the service for Week 5 of Lent, the place of the Passion is Pilate’s Judgment Hall, where Pilate is in a position to set Jesus free, but turns him over to be crucified instead.

DateChurch

NO Supper Before7:00 pm Service

Series Theme Place

Ash Wednesday, February 17 Bethlehem Jerusalem

Ash Wednesday, February 17 Fountain Jerusalem

Wednesday, February 24 Bethlehem Bethany

Wednesday, March 3 Fountain The Mount of Olives

Wednesday, March 10 Bethlehem Gethsemane

Wednesday, March 17 Fountain The Courtyard

Wednesday, March 24 Bethlehem Pilate’s Judgment Hall