Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C

Lent Theme

Follow Jesus on the Journey: Open our Hearts to Reconciliation

Theme Write-up written by Matthew Reece, Director of Music Ministries

Follow Jesus on the Journey: Open Our Hearts to Reconciliation

The season of Lent invites us to embark on a sacred journey with Jesus, walking the path of repentance, renewal, and grace. As we follow Him through the wilderness, His teachings, and ultimately to the cross, we are called to open our hearts to the transformative power of reconciliation. Just as Christ extends His mercy to us, we are urged to seek healing in our relationships—with God, with others, and within ourselves. This journey is not one of mere reflection but of action, as we humbly acknowledge our need for forgiveness and embrace the call to be instruments of peace in a broken world.

Through prayer, fasting, and acts of love, we allow God’s grace to soften our hearts and lead us toward true reconciliation. The Lenten journey is a time to let go of burdens that hinder our relationship with God and to seek restoration in areas where division and hurt have taken root. As we walk with Jesus, may we be reminded that reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel—a gift freely given and a mission to which we are called. In opening our hearts to God’s mercy, we are empowered to extend that same mercy to others, drawing ever closer to the promise of Easter’s new life.

Call to Worship

Throughout the season of Lent, the worship service begins with a spoken Call to Worship. We will use the a series written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, September 2024.

Ardor (Worship Musicians)

The musicians rehearse from 9:00 – 9:45 am every Sunday morning. All are welcome! The musicians for worship can find the service orders and music in the crate on the back pew in the sanctuary for each week of the month. Contact the office if you plan to help lead worship.

Sunday School

The Sunday class will be taking a break for the foreseeable future. Keep checking the publications for when the class will return.

Worship Information

Join us in-person for the weekly Worship Service at 10:00 am in-person or via Facebook Live if you are unable to attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsdavenport/). The service will later be uploaded to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintslutheranchurchdav1987) for your viewing. We will receive new members during worship.

If you would like the words for the worship service, contact the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) to request the information.

Introduction

The psalm sets the tone this day: “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!” Happy are those who have “become the righteousness of God” in the merits of Christ Jesus. Happy are those for whom the forgiveness of God has “rolled away . . . the disgrace” of former times. Happy is the father at the return of his prodigal son. Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Rejoice!

Prayer of the Day

God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with your mercy. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Scripture

Joshua 5:9-12

Israel eats bread and grain, the produce of the land

By celebrating the Passover and eating the produce of the promised land instead of the miraculous manna that had sustained them in the desert, the Israelites symbolically bring their forty years of wilderness wandering to an end at Gilgal.

Psalm 32

Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord. (Ps. 32:11)

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

The mystery and ministry of reconciliation

One way to describe the gospel is the promise that in Christ everything is transformed into newness. All mistakes, all deliberate sins, all old history is reconciled with Christ’s resurrection. This is Paul’s strong message to the congregation in the city of Corinth.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The parable of the prodigal father and the repentant son

Jesus tells a parable about a son who ponders his father’s love only after he has spurned it. The grace he receives is beyond his hopes. That same grace is a crisis for an older brother who believes it is his obedience that has earned his place in the father’s home.

Fellowship Time

You are invited to stay after worship for refreshments and fellowship time in the gathering space.