Author: Dennis Hacker

Philadelphia Lutheran Church
“Church of Brotherly Love”
March 30, 2025
52 Pinewood Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
Minister Christopher Bass
Kim Ledford, Interim Music Director Judy Parker, Organist

We welcome you to our service today! May God richly bless you as you worship here. If you are visiting for the first time this morning, we ask that you please sign the guest register found in the front entrance of the church.

M: Welcome and announcements
Prelude “salvation now is come to us” anonymous

(Remain seated during the prelude.).

GATHERING: We have been gathered by the Holy Spirit.
*(As the music begins, we are invited to stand, facing the procession of the cross.)
*Gathering Hymn “come, thou fount of every blessing”
Elw #807
*Meditation and confession
(All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the minister begins.)
M: Blessed be the holy Trinity, X one God,
who forgives all our sin,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
M: Let us return to God, confessing our sin in the assurance of God’s abiding love.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
M: Compassionate One,
you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,
but our lives do not always reflect you
and your love for the world.
We do not show others the tender compassion
you have shown to us.
We do not welcome others with the radical hospitality
you grant to all people.
We oppress others,
even though you have set us free again and again.

*greeting
M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

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*(Denotes when congregation stands.)
(Bold italicized print denotes when congregation speaks.)

We squander the abundant gifts of the earth.
Transform our lives
and guide us again in the way of the cross.
Amen.
M: Beloved in Christ,
God’s arms are always stretched open wide
to welcome the wandering ones home.
In X Christ your sins are forgiven.
You have a place in God’s house forever.
Amen.

*Kyrie

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Canticle of Praise

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Prayer of the Day
M: The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together.

(The congregation may be seated.)

first Reading Joshua 5: 9-12
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.
A reading from the fifth chapter of Joshua
9 The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day. 10 While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11 On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Second Reading 2 corinthians 5: 16-21
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.
A reading from the fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Cantor: psalm 32 (sung in unison)
1 Happy are they whose transgressions | are forgiven, and whose sin is | put away! 2 Happy are they to whom the Lord im- | putes no guilt, and in whose spirit there | is no guile! 3 While I held my tongue, my bones with- | ered away, because of my groaning | all day long. 4 For your hand was heavy upon me | day and night; my moisture was dried up as in the | heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not con- | ceal my guilt. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt | of my sin.

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6 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in | time of trouble; when the great waters overflow, they | shall not reach them. 7 You are my hiding-place; you preserve | me from trouble; you surround me with shouts | of deliverance. 8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that | you should go; I will guide you | with my eye. 9 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no | understanding; who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will | not stay near you.” 10 Great are the tribulations | of the wicked; but mercy embraces those who trust | in the Lord. 11 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice | in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are | true of heart.

* Gospel Acclamation

*Holy Gospel luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
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.
The Holy Gospel according to the fifteenth chapter of Luke
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that

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will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

Praise to you, O Christ. [The assembly is seated.]

Sermon

*hymn of the day “softly and tenderly jesus is calling”
elw#608

M: And now as we respond to God’s Word, we confess our faith through the words of the Apostle’s Creed:

Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession
Assisting Minister: Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.
(A brief silence.....we kneel or sit.)
God of faithful promise, make your church a new creation in Christ. As you reconcile us to yourself, guide us also in your way of reconciliation, that through confession and forgiveness, repentance and reparations, your church may bear witness to your love. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.

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God of new beginnings, restore balance to the earth. Send rain to places of drought and sunshine to places of flooding, that the produce of the land may again support life. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of prodigal grace, unite the nations as fellow members of the human family. Give leaders the courage to put aside pride and ego, to cease squandering lives and time, and to work for the well-being of all. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of boundless love, receive with open arms any in need of compassion. Embrace all who are far from home or estranged from loved ones, and all who live with regret. Embolden your people to offer and to seek forgiveness. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of radical inclusion, widen human circles to welcome all who are excluded. Bless the work of disability ministries, ministries by and with neurodivergent people, and multicultural and ethnic-specific ministries; that the welcome of Jesus be extended to all. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
God of resurrection life, welcome home all who have died. We thank you for their lives and entrust them into your keeping, where true reconciliation and eternal peace are found. God, in your mercy,
receive our prayer.
M: Are there any other intentions?
M: Receive the prayers of your people and draw all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus, who leads us from death to life. Amen.
Amen.

*Sharing of the Peace (We acknowledge one another with a bow or a nod...)
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offering (You may remain seated.)
(Giving to those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves.in grateful response for all God’s gifts.)
Offertory “consolation” peery

*M: Lord's Prayer
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. (Assembly may sit.)

Sending: (God blesses us and sends us with gifts of grace in mission to the world.)

M*Blessing
God our tender parent,
God the crucified one,
God the reconciling Spirit,
X bless you now and forever.
Amen.

*sending hymn: “our father, we have wandered”
elw# 606

*Dismissal (Assisting Minister)
Go in peace. Care for others as God cares for you.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude “o sacred head once wounded” bach-schreiner

The altar flowers are given to the glory of God
by Dick Pawlicki

The sanctuary lamp is given to the glory of God and my Great Grandson Colter Owen Burke by Revonda Heavner

Sunday Servants March 30th
Assisting Minister.........................................................................................Leah Isley
Lay Reader………………………………............................................Susan Woodie
Ushers ……………….......................................................Ron Herman & Art Chaffee
Greeter.....................................................................................................Dot Fairchild
Acolyte………………..…………..............…...............................................Leah Isley
Crucifer..................................................................................................Rodney Setzer
Tabulators……………….........................................................Marc & Susan Woodie
Altar Guild……………..................................................................Ron & Lisa Herman
Presenters.................................................................Sharon Oxford & Diane Chaffee

WELCA is collecting cookies and regular coffee for the Friday night AA group. You may place your donations in the basket in the narthex.

St. John’s will be hosting an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 12th from 2—4 PM. PLC is invited to attend.

Lent Service Schedule
Wednesday Lenten Meal & Services March 12-April 9th
PLC every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. followed by service at 6:45 PM
PLC Meal-April 9th
St. John’s Meal-April 2nd
Palm Sunday, April 13th Individual Services PLC 10:00 AM
Maundy Thursday, April 17th Joint Service at PLC 6:30 PM
Tenebrae (Good Friday) April 18th Joint Service at PLC 6:30 PM
Easter Sunday St. John’s 10:30 a.m. Breakfast: Before the service
PLC 8:0 a.m. Breakfast: After the service
(No Sunday School)

The NC synod purchased a license for Taking Faith Home for NC churches. It provides weekly scripture and reflection during the weeks of Lent up to Easter. The weekly reflections have been printed for March 23rd and March 30th and are in the narthex if you would like to pick up a copy.

This Week’s Opportunities
Sunday 10:00 a.m. Worship
Monday Church Office Closed
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts
Wednesday 10:30 a.m. Prayer Team
6:00 p.m. Lenten Meal and Service
(St. John’s provides the meal.)
Thursday 6:00 p.m. Al-Afam
Friday 8:00 p.m. AA
Saturday 10:00 a.m. Al-Anon

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.

Amen.

After the Epiphany#

Sunday ##