New Life Ev. Lutheran Church Lake Zurich, IL

…rooted in the word, growing in faith, reaching out to our uprooted world.

Pastor Andrew Bauer (847) 438-5018 www.newlife-wels.org

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Third Sunday in Lent March 15, 2020

A warm welcome to those who are visiting us today. You may hang your coat in the entry way of the church or on the coat rack downstairs. The bathrooms are located in the basement of this building. Before you go home today, please sign our guest book located on the podium in the entry way. Also, refreshments are served in the basement after our service this morning. And we invite you to join us for something to eat and drink. Our lower level is wired for sound. If you need to take your child out during the service, you won’t miss any of the sermon.

In the unlikely event of an emergency during this morning’s service, you can exit the building using the main entryway or the exit to the right of the chancel. Our building does have a fire alarm system which is wired directly to the fire department. Remember, we follow the “Run, Hide, Fight” response in an emergency. Before Service Prayer: Jesus, I have to admit, that when things go horribly wrong in my life and I face setback and sickness, I wonder if You are punishing me for some sin I have committed. I admit that I want to find some cause in myself, or in others, for the horrible things in this life. At those times, let me find comfort in Your cross, for there You took away my sin and the sins of the world. There You endured the punishment for my sin, and if You endured it, then for me as someone who believes in You, there is no punishment left to be paid. No, instead, Your will is to use the circumstances I face to be a beacon of light that testifies to Your work in me and Your mercy for me. Reveal Your saving glory and grace in the patient way I deal with all that is involved in living in a sin infected world, and keep me believing that Your sacrifice for me pays for sin, and the punishment You endured means I no longer face punishment for my sin. I ask this in Your name. Amen.

Today’s Service: Service of the Word, NPH, Gathering Rite, GIA; reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-800156 and under CCLI license #1132777. Today’s Theme: The light of the world brings sight to the blind and judgment to the blinded. Faith means seeing Jesus as Savior: like the bronze serpent, we look on Him and live (Verse of the Day). We were born in the blindness of sin, and without the light of Christ we could not find a way to safety. Christ comes to shine His light into our darkened eyes that we might see Him and live. Yet for those who refuse to see their Savior in Christ, the blindness of unbelief remains. He gives gracious sight to the blind who trust in Him; He gives blinding judgment on those who reject Him; finally, He displays the work of God in the lives of those who now walk in the light of Christ. Pastor’s Welcome Opening Hymn: CW 343 “Christ Is the World’s Light”

Gathering Rite (Pastor sings through the refrain once and then the verses, Congregation sings the refrain as indicated throughout the song)

L: The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? The Lord is my life and my refuge, when I call God hears. Refrain: L: If You dwelt, O Lord, upon our sinfulness, then who could stand? But with You there is mercy and forgiveness and a guiding hand. Refrain: L: O Lord, hear the sound of my call and answer me. My heart cries out for Your presence, it is You I seek. Refrain:

Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. C: And also with you. (spoken)

Confession, Kyrie, Absolution P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. C: Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage 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. L: 1. Lord Jesus, obedient in the desert:

2. Christ Jesus, the promise of salvation: 3. Lord Jesus, the flood of living water:

P: Having heard your confession, I assure you that our gracious Father in heaven has heard your prayer, and by the command of the Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. (spoken) (immediately repeat the refrain)

The Collect P: Almighty God, look with favor on Your humble servants and stretch out the right hand of Your power to defend us against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen (spoken) The First Lesson: Isaiah 42:14–21 (Amid the unbelief of His people, God will turn darkness to light.)

14 “For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. 17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. 18 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with Me, blind like the servant of the LORD? 20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.”

21 It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make His law great and glorious. (NIV 2011)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 143

O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;* in Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring Your servant into judgment,* for no one living is righteous before You. My spirit grows faint within me;* my heart within me is dismayed. Refrain Answer me quickly, O LORD;* do not hide Your face from me. Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love;* for I have put my trust in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God;* may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen. Refrain

The Second Lesson: Ephesians 5:8–14 (Once in darkness, we are now children of light in the Lord.) 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the

disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (NIV 2011) Verse of the Day: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. (John 3:14,15) Stand The Gospel Lesson: John 9:1–7, 13-17, 34-39 (Jesus heals a man born blind.) 1 As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” He told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about Him? It was your eyes He opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when He found him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is He, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in Him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” (NIV 2011) Hymn of the Day: “With Eyes of Faith, Now See”

With eyes of faith, now see The One who gave you sight. From sinful darkness turn and flee; Look to the Lord of light. Be opened, servant ear; Attend your Savior’s voice. O faithful children, turn to hear; Then, gratefully rejoice!

The mountains will give way And melt with thund’rous sound. The dismal night will turn to day; Bright glory will abound. O Spirit, sanctify. O Son, our hearts restore. O Father, come and glorify Your kingdom evermore! (tune CW 128)

The Sermon The Apostle’s Creed

The Offering The Offertory—“Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”—played by New Life’s Tone Chime Choir

The Offering Prayer The Prayer of the Church The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours now and forever. Amen. P: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us strong in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us Your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. (spoken) The Blessing (Ephesians 5:8; Isaiah 42:16) P: At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. The Lord bless you and keep you. C: I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. P: The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. C: I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. P: The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. C: These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. The Closing Hymn: CWS 771 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” Announcements

Our Father’s Business in the Coming Week Cleaning this Week: LaPlante Today— Worship Service at 9:30 AM Sunday School and Adult Bible Class at 10:45 AM Confirmation Class at 6:00 PM Wednesday— Lenten Supper at 6:15 PM (GREEN TEAM fundraiser) Third Mid-Week Lenten Service at 7:00 PM Preschool Staff Meeting at 8:00 PM

Friday—Men’s Bible Class at 11:30 AM Sunday— Communion Service at 9:30 AM

Sunday School, Adult Bible Class at 10:45 AM Confirmation Class at 6:00 PM

Volunteers are needed to bring something to eat and drink for fellowship on Sunday mornings. Please sign up on the sheet located on the bulletin board in the lower level. A NEW sheet has been posted and many slots are open. Sign-up today! Adult Bible Class will meet in the New Life Café this morning at 10:45 AM. Class is using the Growing in Grace catechism curriculum. Today we will continue our study on “The Holy Christian Church and Local Congregations.” This week’s Lenten meal will serve as a fundraiser for the GREEN TEAM—New Life’s pioneer program for children preschool through 8th grade. All donations given for GREEN TEAM will be matched dollar for dollar by National Mutual Benefit. This Wednesday, Pastor Robert Meiselwitz from St. Paul’s in Round Lake will be our guest pastor. The theme for the service is, “The Son of God Goes Forth to War—The Warrior Rejected by Many People.” The meal is an opportunity to spend time with fellow members and begins at 6:15 PM. If you’d like to purchase an Easter lily to adorn the Lord’s chancel for Easter Sunday, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the lower level. Cost for each lily is $8. Checks can be written to Kelly Daugherty. Volunteer Opportunity: Builders For Christ Make a difference today and volunteer to build churches in AZ, TX, or NC. Sign up for any length of time and help these congregations reach even more people in their community. No experience? No problem! Training is provided on site. Volunteers are especially needed March-April. 🛠🛠 Learn more: www.kingdomworkers.com/volunteer or call Kingdom Workers @ 414-771-6848 An Easter breakfast sign-up sheet is now posted. Please indicate what you’d like to bring for breakfast and plan on spending some enjoyable fellowship time with members and friends of New Life on Easter Sunday! A booklet regarding information on the new hymnal is available on the table in the entryway. It has been our tradition to shake the pastor’s hand on the way out of church. In light of the current situation, God’s people can do whatever they feel comfortable with, a handshake, a fist pump, nothing, but certainly NOT a hug, since the pastor isn’t a hugger.

Our Faithfulness to God’s Word last Sunday: 36

Lenten Series 2020

Supper at 6:15 PM

Service at 7:00 PM

Midweek Lent #4—March 18th Pastor Meiselwitz—”The Warrior Rejected by Many Followers” (John 6:66) Midweek Lent #5—March 25th Pastor Carlovsky—”The Warrior Faces Satan’s Ally, the World” (John 18:38) Midweek Lent #6—April 1st Pastor Schubert—”The Promised Warrior” ( Isaiah 42:13)

MAUNDY THURSDAY—APRIL 9th— “The Battle Is Personal” (Luke 22:47-48) GOOD FRIDAY—APRIL 10th— “The Greatest Battle Ever Fought” (Mt. 27:45-50) EASTER SUNDAY—APRIL 12th— “Victory!” (Revelation 19:11-16)