The Season of Lent | Wed. March 15, 2023
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36
(Top to Bottom) Prayer service in the Upper Room The Stone of Agony in the Church of All Nations Garden of Gethsemane
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Let us ever walk with Jesus. To see the depths of his love.
To behold the gift of his forgiveness! To gaze upon the heights of his grace.
To marvel at the magnitude of his mercy. We walk with Jesus to the Mount of Olives.
He sang a hymn overflowing with hope. For though the sheep will be scattered
After Christ is raised he will go before them into Galilee. Faithful Lord, with me abide. I shall follow where you guide!
HYMN 802 Let us ever walk with Jesus (Stanzas 1 & 4)
Most merciful God, because I walk into risky and dangerous places, hear me as I confess my sins.
My feet take me to places of compromise and sinful ambition.
My heart lingers in places of lust and lies. My words take me to places of anger, rage and hatred.
My ears delight in going to places of gossip, deceit and ridicule. My mind takes me to places of selfishness and pride.
My eyes lead me to places of envy and greed. Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
Please silently reflect on the fact that though our sin is great, Christ’s love is greater. Hear the good news! Jesus walked to places of rejection, suffering, torment and death for you. Jesus was determined to go to Gethsemane, Gabbatha and Golgotha for you. That’s why Jesus forgives you completely and loves you eternally. Faithful Lord, with me abide! I shall follow where you guide!
Heavenly Father, because Jesus walked into the perfect storm betrayal, arrest, assault with a sword and then all his friends ran away you are able to bring your perfect peace in the storms of our lives. Empower us to believe it and receive it; through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever. | Amen
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
HOMILY
HYMN 347
Go to Dark Gethsemane
Pastor Mark H. Larson
Onward in Christ’s footsteps treading, pilgrims here, our home above. Full of faith and hope and love. Let us do the Father’s bidding. And so we pray. Heavenly Father, you haven’t promised us a storm-less life. You don’t offer quick fixes or shallow solutions. But you do promise perfect peace, in the midst of whatever happens. Lord, in your mercy, Grant us your peace.
Heavenly Father when we’re out of bootstraps to pull up, come to the end of our rope and feel like quitting, you are with us and for us. Thank you for being a Father who will never forget or abandon us in our storms. Thank you for working all things together for the good of those who love you. Lord, in your mercy, Grant us your peace.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your perfect peace a peace perfectly suited for the moment. Our calling is not to take control, but to mine the riches of the Gospel and never lose sight of your wonderful love. You are the Rock that is higher than us, the Rock of refuge, the Rock of ages. Lord, in your mercy, Grant us your peace.
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding. Anchor us in hope, strengthen us in grace and fortify us with resolute courage.
Jesus let me faithful be, life eternal grant to me. 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, forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus invites us to walk with him to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of great suffering and a place of great love. We will walk with Jesus all the way to the empty tomb and resurrection victory. | Let us ever walk with Jesus!
By Reed Lessing.
God, the giver of love, ☩ Christ, the resurrection and the life, and the Holy Spirit of rebirth bless you in this Lenten journey. | Amen.
© 2021 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reservedThe Rev. Mark H. Larson Senior Pastor, ext. 201
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Bonner Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203
The Rev. Jonathan Trapp Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233
The Rev. Jenny McLellan Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224
Bob Boyd Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232
Kofi Broadnax ..................................................................................... Property Administrator, ext. 210
Alexa Brooks ......................................................................................................... Receptionist, ext. 200
Seth Brown Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218
Robin Durdin ........................................................................... Office Administration Director, ext. 204
Kate Elkins Preschool Director, ext. 252
Kira Garvie Organ Scholar, kgarvie@redeemer.org
David Hansen ........................................................................................ Adult Choral Director, ext. 236
Sarah Hawbecker Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206
Deacon Mary Houck .................................................. Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227
Jennifer Isaacson ..................................................................... Financial Information Director, ext. 237
Hillary Nelson Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org
Stacey Williams ............................................................................................................ Head of Security