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HERE WE STAND: Lifting Up a LASTING Legacy ... FIFTH Sunday in LENT
10:45 - Leader's Meeting
11:00 - Coffee Hour in 11 Minutes
(Sip your coffee and discuss John 3:14-21 or Numbers 21:4-9 or Ephesians 2:1-10 ... and how God might reach a Wide Range of People through us during the season of Lent ... or what does COMPANIONSHIP mean for you during this unique no longer New Year?)
11:11 - WORSHIP BEGINS
A) PRELUDE: Precious Lord, Take My Hand
B) JEREMIAH 31:31-34 read by #1
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord;
For I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
C) First Hymn: We Sing Praises (He Reigns Forever), led by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
To Serve as a VEHICLE through which the Gospel is Spread!!!
about being a VEHICLE
that will deliver CONFIDENCE, COMPASSION, and COMPANIONSHIP
to a tremendously anxious COMMUNITY,
remembering that God is our REFUGE & STRENGTH.
I) THIS Wednesday, March 24 is LENTEN SUPPER at 7 PM
When My Lament Becomes Praise
HERE I STAND/When Powers Assail Me
Being Treated As LESS THAN Another
has helped me remember how God's Grace is MORE THAN sufficient
Wednesday, February 24 ... Like BATHSHEBA,
Led by a DAVIS Family Member?
Wednesday, February 17 was ASH WEDNESDAY
Today, March 21 is the FIFTH Sunday in LENT
1) Wednesday, February 24 ... Like Stephen
2) Wednesday, March 3 ... Like Tamar in Genesis
3) Wednesday, March 10 ... Like Rahab in Joshua
4) Wednesday, March 17 ... Like Ruth
5) Wednesday, March 24 ... Like Bathsheba in 2 Samuel
6) Maundy Thursday, April 1 ... Pastor Todd leads Seder Meal
Good Friday, April 2 ... Led by Laity or Partnership with another Church
Sunday, April 4 is EASTER Sunday ... Pastor Jermine Alberty leading
II) Reports from the EZEKIEL 44:5 EXPERIMENT
EVERYONE is a part of one Project or the Other:
A) Clean HANDS Project ... Pantry Snack Pack Distribution updates
Meet at 9 AM on Wednesdays for 11 AM Distribution
Meet at 10 AM on Saturdays for 11 AM Distribution
B) Clean HEART Project ... 73rd Anniversary Musical Celebration Report
ANNIVERSARY MUSICAL on Sunday, September 12, 19, or 26
Meeting on Sunday, April 11 after Church
HERE WE STAND theme?
73 Years in South Dallas; 60 in our current Fair Park location on Forest (now MLK)
With 73 Guests INVITED from the PAST (important in our HISTORICAL MINISTRY)
With 73 Guests INVITED from the PRESENT South Dallas Community (important to our FUTURE MINISTRY in Fair Park)
https://dallasmlkcenter.com/author/dallasmlkcenter/
The Fierce Urgency of Now- Part One (February 12, 2021 @ 12 PM) 39:00
The Fierce Urgency of Now- Part Two (February 19, 2021 @ 12 PM) 39:00
We will need to explore how to start inviting folks to our September Musical NOW.
C) SECOND LESSON: HEBREWS 5:5-10, led by #2
2) So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks Be to God!!
D) WERE YOU THERE leading into our MESSAGE for the YOUNG at HEART, a special edition for the 4th Sunday of Lent and Women's History Month
E) KYRIE, led by Carlos Leggett
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
3) 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
3) Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Most holy and merciful God, We confess to you and to one another, and before the whole company of heaven, that we have sinned by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
D A E F#m D A E F#m
Create in me a clean, clean heart Create in me a work of art
D A E F#m D A E F#m
Create in me a miracle Something real, and something beautiful
4) We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. We have shut our ears to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit..
D A E F#m D A E F#m
Create in me a clean, clean heart Create in me a work of art
D A E F#m D A E F#m
Create in me a miracle Something real, and something beautiful
3) When our neighbor fails to love in the way that God commands, we also struggle to love our neighbor as ourselves. We struggle to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. So we ask, with the help of Jesus Christ, forgive us, Lord, 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.
D A E F#m D A E F#m
Create in me a clean, clean heart Create in me a work of art
D A E F#m D A E F#m
Create in me a miracle Something real, and something beautiful
4) Brothers and sisters hear this grace: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you and for His sake, God forgives you all of your sins. As a called disciple of Christ I declare the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
THANKS BE TO GOD. AMEN!
4) Having confessed our sin, let us also confess our faith:
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 to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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.
3) The peace of Christ be with you always.
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
4) We will now switch to Gallery View. As forgiven sinners, please share the peace with somebody on this call, using their name.
PEACE BE WITH YOU.
G) GOSPEL LESSON: John 12:20-33, led by #5
Halle, Halle, Halle-lujah, led by Tanya Browne & Dolphene Davis
Our Gospel Lesson comes from John in the 12th Chapter.
GLORY TO YOU, O LORD!
5) Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
PRAISE TO YOU, OH CHRIST
H) SECOND SONG: I'm Forever Grateful ( You Did Not Wait For Me) a Divine Hymns Song Lyrics Video
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
J) SERMON: "Here I STAND: Lifting Up a LASTING Legacy" shared by Pastor Todd
I Do't MYSELF? .... or ... This is so important, CAN YOU HELP ME?
TOWARD MUTUAL COMPREHENSIVE WELLNESS
WHAT AN ASH WEDNESDAY WE HAVE HAD IN 2021!!
In 2018 the windows of Mt. Olive were damaged by vandalism. Because of the generous support of individuals and other churches, our windows were most wonderfully repaired.
In 2020, because of Covid social distancing, in the same year we were scheduled to celebrate our 25th year of continuous operation, we placed our Food Pantry on hiatus. Especially in our building there was no safe way remain open and maintain sensible and necessary distancing practices.
At the end of 2020 we were at last able to resume, quite safely, our Snack Pack ministry to nearby homeless individuals and others facing Comprehensive Wellness challenges in our Neighborhood. And we have crafted ambitious plans for how Volunteer Companionship Training and a revived “Blessing Bag” ministry (that now reaches between 100 and 200 people in Fair Park every week) might be expanded to other nearby churches and Food Pantries and reach perhaps thousands in South Dallas.
Then in February 2021 Mt. Olive’s insurance company informed us that they planned to drop us, effective May 1, 2021, due to the condition of our roof, which was last repaired about 20 years ago. Our parking lot and external grounds are also in desperate need of repair, especially if we want to make our property available for State Fair parking again this October. The total bill could easily reach $50,000 or more.
Of course, in 2022 it could very well be an air conditioner … or a furnace … or our pipes … or another act of vandalism … that threatens the financial life of our congregation. Like almost half of the churches in the United States, Mt. Olive is one or two major expenditures away from closing our doors forever.
As long as churches like ours continue to adhere to a gospel of “Rugged Individualism,” which we have all too often been taught in our modern society, this is probably a looming inevitability for too many of us. Thankfully we are gradually coming to understand why this is such a dangerous heresy upon which neither our church, nor probably any church, should ever rely.
We are NOT alone.
We are MUCH STRONGER when we learn to STAND TOGETHER.
On a good Sunday, back when we could all meet in the same Sanctuary, Mount Olive would distribute 30 to 35 people in our beautiful, ample pews. In 2019 and 2020, a FULL 35 of our members have participated in one form of Companionship Training or another, aided by our partner in ministry, Pathways to Promise. For the last two years, as we have practiced Companionship in all our many forms of ministry, we have gently discovered what our future might most likely look like:
We WILL NOT stand alone, on our own.
We will become MUCH STRONGER when we learn to STAND TOGETHER.
Perhaps, if a vibrant and necessary ministry in our neighborhood and community didn’t happen every week through Mt. Olive, perhaps one could argue, we have reached that time when we should review our will and prepare for death.
But we prefer to follow in the path of Jesus, who had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that STATUS no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of [BEING A] DEITY and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Of course, Paul doesn’t end the passage in Philippians 2 there. Companionship is the willingness to humble ourselves and walk side by side with others, learning how to invest in a mutual Comprehensive Wellness.
We are NOT alone.
We are MUCH STRONGER when we learn to STAND TOGETHER.
Because of our current need, we cannot cling to a myth of our Rugged Individualism. Rather, we cling to Christ. We cling to the cross. Here We Stand.
TOGETHER.
With others, willing to join us in a path toward Companionship. In a path toward Mutual Comprehensive Wellness. Perhaps that might include you? Your church? Your organization? Your family? Amen.
SERMON SERIES:
Lent: HERE WE STAND ...
Rebuked, Provoked, or Gracious? - February 28
Time for Overturning Tradition - March 7
Lifting Up a Losing Legacy - March 14
Lifting Up a Lasting Legacy - March 21
Passion Sunday of Palm Branches - March 28
K) THIRD SONG: Forever, led by Chris Tomlin
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
K) LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION (Google Drive) This is the Feast of Victory (Dropbox) .... Led by Carlos Leggett & Tanya Browne
RETURN to the LORD & ALLE-X-X WARNING
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alle-X-X
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alle-X-X
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymns of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alle-X-X, Alle-X-X
GREAT THANKSGIVING & Preface by #7
Please UNmute & RESPOND
The Lord be with you,
AND ALSO WITH YOU
Lift up your hearts
WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD!
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE.
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, Holy Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so with the Church on Earth and all the hosts of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, led by Pastor Todd
Please MUTE & SING:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD, Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he, who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & Lord's Prayer, led by #7
The Words of Institution are recorded for us in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke as well as by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: ‘Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.’
“In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you; this cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you and for all people, for the remission of sins. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'”
When the disciples didn't know how to PRAY in the face of the challenges ahead of them, they asked Jesus for help. He said, "Pray this way!" Will you share with me the Lord's Prayer?
Please UNMute & RESPOND
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.
Come to the banquet, for all is now almost ready. We continue this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and for God’s mercy. We take this time to contemplate how our forty day journey toward the cross might continue, with oil and ashes, with wine and bread, with the Body and Blood of Christ.
We remember that we are Dust and to Dust we shall Return. But.
The Body of Christ is Broken for Me. The Blood of Christ is Shed for Me. And God brings to life even that which once seemed dead. Amen.
1) Lamb, Of God, led by Dolphene Davis
2) Ancient Words, led by Pastor Todd
Please MUTE & SING:
1) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us (repeat) ... Lamb of God, you take away, the sins of the world, grant us peace ... grant us peace.
2) Holy words long preserved, For our walk in this world, They resound with God's own heart, Oh, let the Ancient words impart,
Words of Life, words of Hope, Give us strength, help us cope, In this world, where e'er we roam, Ancient words will guide us Home
CHORUS: Ancient words ever true, Changing me, and changing you, We have come with open hearts, Oh, let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our Faith, Handed down to this age, Came to us through sacrifice, Oh, heed the faithful words of Christ
Holy words long preserved, For our walk in this world, They resound with God's own heart, Oh, let the ancient words impart (Chorus).
M) Post Communion Blessing & Prayer led by #7
ALL: May the body and blood of our Risen Lord, Jesus the Christ, strengthen you and keep you in His grace, now and always. Amen.
Let us pray. Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Help us to stand with Jesus as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. AMEN.
N) BENEDICTION: I've Decided to Make Jesus My Choice, led by Cory Henry
The road is rough, the going gets tough, and the hills are hard to climb. I started out a long time ago, there’s no doubt in my mind; I have decided to make Jesus my choice.
Some folks would rather have houses and land, some folks choose silver and gold, these things they treasure and forget about their souls; I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice.
These clothes may be ragged that I’m wearing, heavy is the load that I’m bearing, these burdens that I’m carrying; I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice
O) SENDING: Led by led by #7
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
TO SERVE as a VEHICLE through which the Gospel is Spread!!!
Go in Peace and Serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!! And WE WILL!!
COMPANIONSHIP is a ministry of PRESENCE, a relationship responding to isolation and suffering and supportive of healing and recovery.
COMPANIONSHIP welcomes the stranger, building a CIRCLE of CARE with individuals who are facing emotional and mental health challenges.
COMPANIONSHIP is rooted in our natural capacities as human beings to be sensitive, compassionate and concerned.
POSTLUDE 1: Just Ask My Savior (Not my Neighbor), A remix of the 70s hit "Don't Ask My Neighbors", by the world famous The Emotions. The original design of the song remains intact, but now has a neo-soul feel, along with an inspirational message performed by the UAB Gospel Choir
POSTLUDE 2: There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood The Lutheran Hymna, Hymn #157, Text: Zech. 13:1, Author: William Cowper, 1771, Composer: William Horsley, 1844 First Tune: "Horsley," Composer: Lowell Mason, 1830 Second Tune: "Cowper," second tune ... performed by the UAB Gospel Choir, GO DOMINATE! enhanced CD. Arrangement by Director, Kevin P. Turner. There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood performed on the Gaither Gospel Hour.
POSTLUDE 3: This Little Light of Mine, led by the NFL Choir