Midweek Lent Evening Worship Service
March 19, 2025
Giving Up Worrying for Lent
for Life, and for Your LORD
One day in 1789, the sky of Hartford suddenly darkened, and some of the representatives in the Connecticut legislature, glancing out the windows, feared the end of the world was at hand. Terrified cries arose from some of those assembled, begging for an early, immediate adjournment. But the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a Colonel Davenport, said, “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for alarm or adjournment. If Judgment Day has arrived, I prefer to be found by my LORD doing my duty.”
Many people spend so much time worrying about tomorrow, fearing what might or might not happen, that they end up being paralyzed emotionally. In those moments, they (and sometimes, we) forget that as Christians we never have anything to worry or be afraid about…..as long as we remain faithful to our LORD, Who is always working in everything that happens for the earthly and everlasting good of those who love Him.
Rather than worrying about what could happen tomorrow (or even today), you and I will always be much better off living every moment in the confidence, as Christians, that nothing can happen to a child of God without our gracious Lord’s approval. And, because He loves us for Jesus’ sake, only good things can ever happen to a Christian….and so, to you and me. It’s just like Jesus says in tonight’s sermon text, “…Certainly your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Two weeks ago at this time, on Ash Wednesday, we considered what God’s Word has to say about “Giving Up our Enemies” on the basis of Matthew 5:38-48…since our LORD doesn’t want us to have in our hearts any enmity toward anyone whatsoever, but instead only love – modeled on and motivated by His relentless, forgiving love for us.
Last week during this hour, we pondered what Scripture says about “Giving Up Our Pride” for Lent and beyond, based on Jesus’ Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, from Luke 18:9-14. We contrasted the Pharisees’ blind pride in himself and his accomplishments, and compared that to his contempt for the humble Publican/Tax Collector, who might have been a social and Spiritual outcast in Jewish society, but who was blessed by the LORD and declared “justified” by God’s grace, through Christ.
This evening we are going to ponder the third installment in our 2025 Midweek Lenten Service and Sermon series on “Giving _____ Up For Lent”……as we focus our attention on what might very well be our “national pastime.” And, no, it’s not baseball, or football, or texting……it’s the sin of worrying. Whether we worry about “big things” like the economy, or the possibility of war in the Far East, or getting some hideous disease…..or the “little things” like “does so-and-so like me” or “do I weigh too much?”…..for me or you to worry is always a sin – even though many of us make light of it, and make excuses for worrying. In our sermon text for this evening, Jesus says it’s a sin, so that settles it. The only questions left are…..”will we repent of worrying?” and “Will we give up worrying…not only for the season of Lent, but for our whole lives….and so that God might be glorified by the confident faith that we put in Him to care for us always, in everything?”
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version, Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Silent Prayer Pre-service Music
We Approach The Lord With Praise And Prayer
The Service Introduction and Invitation to Worship
The Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Opening Psalm: Psalm 38
P: Lord, do not rebuke me in anger. Do not discipline me in wrath. Indeed, Your arrows have stuck in me. Your hand has come down on me. There is no health in my flesh because of Your rage. There is no wellness in my bones because of my sin, because my guilt has gone over my head. Like a heavy burden, it is too heavy for me.
C: My wounds stink and ooze because of my folly. I am drooping. I am completely bent over. All day long I go around mourning. Even my back burns with pain. My whole body is unhealthy. I have become numb. I am totally crushed. I groan loudly because of my anxious thoughts. Lord, all my needs lie before You. My sighs are not hidden from You.
P: My heart beats quickly. My strength leaves me. Even the light of my eyes is gone from me. My loved ones and my friends stand far away because of the blow I have suffered. My neighbors stand at a distance. Those who pursue my life set traps. Those who seek to harm me talk about my ruin. All day long they plot deception.
C: I am deaf. I cannot hear. Like a mute person, I cannot open my mouth. I am like a man who cannot hear. No response comes from his mouth. Yet I wait for You, Lord. You will answer, O Lord my God. So I said, “Do not let them celebrate because of me. Do not let them gloat when my foot slips.”
P: Look! I am about to fall, and I am always in pain, so I declare my guilt, and I am troubled by my sin. My aggressive enemies are numerous. Those who hate me for no reason are many. Those who repay evil for good slander me because I pursue what is good.
C: Do not forsake me, O Lord. My God, do not be far from me. Hurry to help me, O Lord, my salvation.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 100 “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth”
1. A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
Our guilt and evil bearing;
And laden with the sins of earth,
None else the burden sharing!
Goes patient on, grows weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
That spotless life to offer;
Bears shame and stripes, and wounds and death,
Anguish and mockery, and says,
“Willing all this I suffer.”
2. This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great Friend,
The Lamb of God, our Savior;
Him God the Father chose to send
To gain for us His favor.
“Go forth, My Son,” the Father said,
“And free my children from their dread
Of guilt and condemnation.
The wrath and stripes are hard to bear,
But by Your Passion they will share
The fruit of Your salvation.”
3. “Yes, Father, yes, most willingly
I’ll bear what Thou command me;
My will conforms to Your decree,
I’ll do what You have asked me.”
O wondrous Love, what have You done!
The Father offers up His Son!
Desiring our salvation.
O Love, how strong You are to save!
You make His bed within the grave
Who built the earth’s foundation.
4. From morn till eve in all I do
I’ll praise You, Christ, my Treasure.
To sacrifice myself for You
Shall be my aim and pleasure.
My stream of life shall ever be
A current flowing ceaselessly,
Your constant praise outpouring.
I’ll treasure in my memory,
O Lord, all You have done for me,
Your gracious love adoring.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Order of Vespers / Evening Worship
Pastor “O Lord, open my lips.”
Congregation (Sung)
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Pastor “Hasten, O God, to deliver me.”
Congregation (Sung) Hasten to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen.
We Confess our Sins with modifications, from Daniel 9
O Lord, my great and awesome God, + my merciful Father in heaven, + Who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands, + I confess that I have sinned and done wrong. + I have been wicked and have rebelled against You. + I have turned away from Your commands and laws. + I have not listened to Your Holy Word faithfully. Lord, You alone are righteous, + while I am covered with shame because of my unfaithfulness to You. + Indeed, at times I have refused to obey You, + and have repeatedly done wrong in my thoughts, words, and actions.
O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, + I plead with You to turn away from me Your anger and Your wrath. + O gracious God, hear this humble petition of Your servant. + Look with favor upon me and be gracious to me, an undeserving sinner. + O Lord, listen! + O Lord, forgive me all my sins! + O Lord, hear and act! + I do not make this request of You because I am righteous, + but because of Your great mercy, + and for the sake of the perfect life, + and the innocent sufferings and death of Your Son, + my Savior, Jesus Christ, + in Whose name I pray. + Amen.
Pastor – Upon this, your voluntary confession, and in accordance with the responsibilities entrusted to me as
a called and ordained servant of the Living Word, I assure you that God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven you all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has removed your guilt and condemnation forever. You are His own dear child – an heir of everlasting life through faith in Christ. May God now give you the strength of faith to live according to His will. Go in His grace and peace. Amen.
We Meditate On God’s Word
Our Reading: Jesus On Trial Before Caiaphas
While Jesus was still speaking, suddenly Judas (one of the Twelve) arrived. With him was a large
crowd with lanterns, torches, swords, and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas was leading them. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”“Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I am He,” Jesus told them. Judas, the betrayer, was standing with them. When Jesus told them, “I am He,” they backed away and fell to the ground. Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” “Jesus the Nazarene,” they said. “I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the statement He had spoken: “I did not lose any of those you have given me.”
Now the betrayer had given them a sign: “The One I kiss is the Man. Arrest Him.” Immediately he went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Then they advanced, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. When those who were around Him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, should we strike with a sword?” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. But Jesus responded, “Stop! No more of this! Put your sword back into its place, because all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you not realize that I could call on My Father, and at once He would provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” Then He touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
At that same time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out to arrest Me with swords and clubs as if I were a robber? Day after day I was sitting in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest Me. But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled. The company of soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus and bound Him. First they led Him to Annas, because he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews, “It is better that One Man die for the people.”
Simon Peter and another disciple kept following Jesus. That disciple was known to the high priest, so he went into the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. But Peter stood outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and talked to the girl watching the door and brought Peter in. The servants and guards were standing around a fire of coals that they had made because it was cold. While they warmed themselves, Peter was standing with them, warming himself too. One of the servant girls of the high priest came there. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked directly at him and said, “You were also with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about. Woman, I do not know Him.” When Peter went out to the entryway, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This is one of them. This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it with an oath and said, “I do not know the Man.” After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, because even your accent gives you away. You are a Galilean!” Then he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this Man you are talking about! I do not know the Man!” At that very moment, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today you will deny Me three times.” He went outside, broke down, and wept bitterly.
The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue or at the temple, where all the Jews gather. I said nothing in secret. Why are you questioning Me? Ask those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” When He said this, one of the guards standing there hit Jesus in the face. “Is that how You answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus answered, “testify about what was wrong. But if I was right, why did you hit Me?”
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put Him to death. They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and said, “This Fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Yet even on this point, their testimony did not agree. The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Have You no answer? What is this that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I place You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you have said. But I tell you, soon you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? See, you have just heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered, “He is deserving of death!” Then some began to spit on Him. They covered His face, struck Him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?” The guards also took Him and beat Him. And they went on saying many other blasphemous things against Him.
The Sermon Hymn: Hymn 420 “God Moves In A Mysterious Way”
1 God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
2 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He has a smiling face.
3 Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
4 You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessing on your head.
The Evening’s Meditation based on Matthew 6:25-34
25 “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 “Which of you can add a single moment to his lifespan by worrying? 28 Why do you worry about clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin, 29 but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not clothe you even more, you of little faith?
31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unbelievers chase after all these things. Certainly your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Giving Up Worrying for Lent,
for Life, and for Your LORD
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
At this point we will pass offering plates through the congregation
for those who wish to make an offering this evening. However, for those
watching tonight’s service online, we would like to make the following suggestions for you to provide Your thank-offerings to God
through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to the church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com)
and use the giving option there.
We Offer our Evening Prayers to the Lord
Tonight’s Special Prayers
P: For the well-being of people everywhere; for the growth of Your church in all the world; and for the strengthening of all who serve and worship here, we pray:
C: Christ have mercy upon us.
P: For one another, young and old; for Your blessings that come with every stage of life, and for joy in doing Your will, we pray:
C: O Lord, have mercy upon us.
P: For our public servants who work day and night to bring protection, justice, learning, and health to this and every place; we pray to You,
C: O Lord, hear our prayer.
P: For favorable weather and bountiful harvests; for clothing and food; for health of body, mind, and spirit; for deliverance from all sin and every form of evil; we pray to You,
C: O Lord, hear our prayer.
P: For the faithful who have gone before us, who have shared with us Your good news, whose souls are now at rest in Your heavenly kingdom, we give You thanks, O Lord:
C: Thanks be to God.
P: In thanksgiving for Your many and varied gifts to us we now commend ourselves to Your care. Be our shield and strength, O Lord. And now, in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Christ Jesus, we also join in praying…….
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.
We Conclude Tonight’s Worship Service
The Benediction
P: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 588 “Abide With Me” verses 1, 5-7
1 Abide with me; fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
5 I need thy presence ev’ry passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!
6 I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if thou abide with me.
7 Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
Silent Prayer,
Announcements,
Post-Service Music