Christ Church

The Divine Service

of the Lord Jesus Christ
Third Sunday in Lent
March 27, 2011

Salutation
The Lord be with you! 2 Timothy 4.22
And also with you!
Welcome & Announcements
Preparation for Worship (silently pray the following collect to prepare for worship)
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from
Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold
fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives
and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
<STAND when the pianist stops playing>

I. The Lord Gathers Us for Worship

Invocation & Entrance

<STAND>
We are gathered in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Amen! Matthew 18.20; 28.19

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth! Psalm 121.1-2

Hymn of Procession (on following page)

Note: The congregation says all bold words and sings all printed songs.
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 II. The Lord Cleanses Us from Sin
Dearly beloved in Christ, the Scriptures teach us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1.9

Kyrie Eleison ~ Lord Have Mercy Psalm 51.1; 123.3; Matthew 17.15; 20.30-31

Confession of Sin
Come, let us worship and bow down. Psalm 95.6
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker! <KNEEL>
Most merciful God, we confess that 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
hearts, and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry, and we humbly
repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may
delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. <REMAIN KNEELING>

Absolution ~ Gospel proclamation of forgiveness in Christ <STAND>

By virtue of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are fully and freely forgiven of all
your sins. Believe this and know that you are at peace with God!
Thanks be to God!
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 III. The Lord Raises Us Up to Heaven and Seats Us With Christ
Sursum Corda ~ Lift Up Your Hearts Ephesians 2.6; Colossians 3.1

Lift up your hearts!

We lift them up to the Lord!
Prayer of Ascent to Heaven Traditionally called the Preface (to the Sanctus).
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!
It is good and right to do so!
It is very good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, O Holy Lord,
Father Almighty, through Jesus Christ the Suffering Servant, who was tempted in every way as we are,
yet did not sin; who laid down his life for us in love; and who humbled himself by becoming obedient to
the point of death, even death on a cross. We thank you that by his grace we are able boldly to triumph
over evil by following him in humble obedience in the way of the cross. Therefore, with the angels and
archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you
and singing:
Sanctus ~ Holy

To You I lift up my eyes,

O You Who are enthroned in the heavens! Psalm 124.1

Hymn of Ascent (on following page)

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Prayer of Illumination
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find
freedom, and in your will discover peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. <BE SEATED>
Scripture Lesson 2 Corinthians 12.1-10 (text printed on back page)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Psalm Psalm 119.33-40
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Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
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Give me understanding,
that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
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Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
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Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
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Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
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Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
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Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
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Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Alleluia ~ Praise the Lord Psalms 146-150

Gospel Lesson John 4.5-42 (text printed on back page)

This is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Praise be to you, O Christ!
Profession of Faith Nicene Creed
Christian, in whom do you trust?
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father
before all worlds:
God of God,
Light of Light,
very God of very God;
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by Whom all things were made;
Who, for us men and for our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man,
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead;
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen!
Gloria Patri ~ Glory to the Father

Pre-sermon Prayer
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, Lord Jesus
Christ, our Rock, and our Kinsman Redeemer. Psalm 19.14
Amen. <BE SEATED>
Sermon Pastor Jeremy Sexton

Post-sermon Blessing
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen. Philippians 4.7

Offertory Hymn (on following page)

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Offertory Response & Prayer
What gifts have you brought for your Lord?
We give only what the Lord has first given to us. We offer ourselves in Christ through
confession, praise, and thanksgiving; we give our prayers and alms for the sake of the world;
and we participate in the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen!
Blessed are you, O Lord God our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the victory and the majesty; indeed all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours.
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord Jesus Christ, and you are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor
come from you, and you reign over all, and in your hand is power and might, and it lies in your hand to
make great and to strengthen all. Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name,
for all things come from you and of your own gifts we have given to you. 1 Chronicles 29.10-14
Amen! <STAND>
Kingdom Prayer
God the Father in heaven,
be gracious to us and hear us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us and help us.
God the Holy Spirit, Giver of life,
bless us for Jesus’ sake.
From all sin, from all error, from all evil; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from sudden and evil
death; from deadly disease and famine; from war and bloodshed; from sedition and rebellion; from
lightning and storms; from calamity by fire and water; and from everlasting death;
deliver us, good Lord.
By the mystery of Your holy incarnation; by Your holy birth; by Your baptism, fasting, and temptation;
by Your agony and bloody sweat; by Your cross and passion; by Your precious death and burial; by
Your glorious resurrection and ascension; and by the coming of your Holy Spirit, the Comforter;
help us, good Lord.
In all our tribulation; in all our prosperity; in the hour of death; and in the day of judgment;
help us, good Lord.
To rule and govern Your holy Christian Church; to preserve all pastors and ministers of Your Church in
the true knowledge and understanding of Your wholesome Word and to sustain them in holy living; to
put an end to all divisions and causes of offense; to bring into the way of truth all who have erred and
are deceived; to beat down Satan under our feet; to send faithful laborers into Your harvest; and to
accompany Your Word with Your grace and Spirit;
hear our prayers, good Lord.
To raise those who fall and to strengthen those who stand; and to comfort and help the weakhearted and
the distressed;
hear our prayers, good Lord.
To give to all peoples unity and peace; to preserve our land from discord and strife; to give our
country Your protection in every time of need; to direct and defend our nation and all in authority over
us; to bless and protect our magistrates and all our people; to watch over and help all who are in danger,
necessity, and tribulation; to protect and guide all who travel; to grant every woman with child,
especially all mothers with infant children, increasing happiness in their blessings; to defend all orphans
and widows and provide for them; to strengthen and keep all sick persons and young children; to free
those in bondage; and to have mercy on us all;
hear our prayer, good Lord.
To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts; to give and preserve for our
use the kindly fruits of the earth; and graciously to hear our prayers;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be gracious to us and answer our prayer.
Now, O God, hear the very words Jesus taught us to pray:
<RAISE HANDS> 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
debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6.9-13

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 IV. The LORD Feeds Us Holy Food at His Royal Table
Trinitarian Blessing 2 Corinthians 13.14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with
you all.
Holy things for holy people!
The gifts of God for the people of God!
Pax Domini ~ The Peace of the Lord John 20.19

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And with your spirit.
Eucharistic Prayer ~ Prayer of Thanksgiving
We thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for making us fearfully and wonderfully in your image.
When we followed the way of the evil one in the Garden of Eden, you did not leave us to perish in our
sins, but instead you rescued us from sin and death. In the fullness of time you provided a new and
living way through the flesh and blood of Jesus, our great high priest over the house of God. And now
we can draw near in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled by Jesus’ blood and our bodies
washed with pure water. We thank you, Father, that when we celebrate this memorial meal, you
remember the holy life of your Son lived for us, his death offered for us, his resurrection that gives life to
us, and his ascension in glory at your right hand, where, as our Great High Priest, he intercedes for us.
United in Christ's priesthood, we celebrate this meal of the covenant, offering ourselves to you as living
sacrifices, holy and acceptable to you in Christ. In your mercy, remember your covenant by pouring out
your Holy Spirit upon us, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be for us a communion in
the body and blood of Christ, that we may become one in him.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are
yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34.8

Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us.

Therefore, let us keep the feast! 1 Corinthians 5.8

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Agnus Dei ~ Lamb of God John 1.29

<BE SEATED>

In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord,

we at Christ Church welcome to the Lord’s Table
all who are spiritually weak and seek rest;
all who mourn and long for comfort;
all who struggle and desire victory;
all who sin and need the Savior;
all who are strangers and want fellowship;
all who hunger and thirst for righteousness;
all who are poor in spirit and desire the riches of the gospel;
all who come to Jesus Christ in living faith and repentance,
looking to him as both Liberator and Lord.
And, of course, we welcome all baptized children,
no matter how young, to the Lord’s Table.

Communion: Bread <Sing stanzas 1-2 on the following page as the bread is passed>
Communion: Wine <Sing stanzas 3-4 on the following page as the wine is passed>
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May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you steadfast in true faith
unto life everlasting. Amen!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, 1 Chronicles 16.34; Psalm 106.1; 107.1; 118.1; 118.29; 136.1
for his love endures forever! <STAND>

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 V. The LORD Sends Us Back Into the World
Post-Communion Prayer Adapted from the post-Communion prayer in Martin Bucer’s reformed Strasbourg Liturgy
Let us continue in prayer together:
Almighty and gracious heavenly Father, we give You praise and thanks that through Your holy
Gospel and Sacrament, You have again offered and presented to us Your most precious treasure:
the true Bread of Heaven and Food of eternal life, Our Lord Jesus Christ. And we heartily ask You
to grant that we may receive Him and partake of Him in true faith, now and forever, and be so
nourished by His Flesh and Blood that we may be set free from all evil, and increase daily in all
goodness, to Your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Great Commission Matthew 28.18-20
Jesus declares, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and disciple all the nations
by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, by teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Amen!
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered!
Let those who hate Him flee before Him! Psalm 68.1

Nunc Dimittis ~ Now Dismiss [Your Servant] Luke 2.29-32

“Song of Simeon”

Benediction ~ Blessing Numbers 6.24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace;
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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2 Corinthians 12.1-10
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I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven- whether in the body or out of the
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body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise- whether in the body or out of
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the body I do not know, God knows- and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of
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this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to
boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me
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than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the
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revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.
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Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that
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the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,
persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

John 4.5-42
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So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well
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was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.
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There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone
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away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me,
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a woman of Samaria?" ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of
God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you
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living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you
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get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his
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sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever
drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a
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spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty
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or have to come here to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman
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answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have
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had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." The woman said to
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him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is
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the place where people ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither
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on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what
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we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will
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worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those
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who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who
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is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." Just
then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you seek?"
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or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people,
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"Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the town and were
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coming to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to
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eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him something to eat?"
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Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say,
'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white
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for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and
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reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that
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for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." Many Samaritans from that
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town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans
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came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of
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his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for
ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."

If you are a visitor of Christ Church, we are grateful that you have joined us in our highest privilege, worshipping the Triune God. We hope
you stay and eat with us after the service so that we can get to know you better. If you would like to talk with Pastor Sexton throughout the
week, feel free to call him at 770.696.7521 or email him at sexton555@gmail.com. You can visit our website at ChristChurch-Atl.com.

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