OFFERINGS

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Chippewa Falls, WI

Lent 1988

Mid-week Lenten Schedule

Soup & Sandwich Supper 	6:00-6:45 p.m.
Senior Choir Rehearsal	6:15 p.m.
Worship for Families	7:15 p.m.

"The central event of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  That unitive event of cross and resurrection is the core of the apostolic preaching; it is also the central celebration of the church's liturgy…Lent is the preparation for the celebration of the mystery of redemption; Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and the fifty days (Easter season) are the proclamation and celebration of it."

	from Manual on the Liturgy, Lutheran Book of Worship

	During Lent the Wednesday mid-week worship-education for youth and adults is our gathering at 7:15 p.m.  This is required for youth in grades 6-9.  It is our feeling that the Lenten weeks can be times of family growth and sharing.
	To help families participate as a family unit we will provide a "Soup & Sandwich" meal beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy the fellowship!  All the food is furnished.  No cooking!  A free will offering will be received to cover the cost of food.
	This booklet has a daily guide for devotional reading which can be shared at home in a family devotion setting.  Since this is the year Mark's Gospel is being read and studied, the readings will take you through most of the Gospel of Mark.  These readings can be used along with the Christ in Our Home devotional booklet.
	We would suggest as a discipline for Lent a time for "family devotions."

Suggested Family Devotion

1.	Have a family member read the selection from Mark's Gospel for that day.
Share any comments you might have.
2.	(Optional) Read the other passage and share your comments.
3.	Share prayer concerns and close with the prayer for the week and the Lord's Prayer.

ASH WEDNESDAY		FEBRUARY 17

O God, you look for truth deep within us.  Purge us of sin, and we shall be pure; wash us, and we shall be clean indeed.

6:00 p.m.		SOUP & SANDWICH SUPPER
7:15 p.m.	WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION AND IMPOSITION OF ASHES

Theme:	"Heart Offering: Create a Clean Heart in Me!"

On this day we begin our Lenten observance with a penitential emphasis.  The ashes remind us of our mortality.  The penitential season begins with our Ash Wednesday confession and lasts until the absolution (forgiveness of sins) is pronounced on Holy Thursday.

Devotional Reading

February 17		Psalm 51; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
February 18		John 17:1-8
February 19		John 17: 9-19
February 20		John 17: 20-26

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent.  Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

	FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT	 February 21

Remember your compassion and your love, O Lord, for they are everlasting.  Remember us according to your love and for the sake of your goodness.

Worship at 8:00 & 10:15		Mark 1:9-15		Romans 8:31-39

What was to be accomplished in the wilderness testing?

February 22		Mark 1:1-13; I Corinthians 1:1-19
February 23		Mark 1:14-28; I Corinthians 1:20-21
February 24		Mark 1:29-45; I Corinthians 2:1-13

Soup & Sandwich Supper 6:00 p.m.
Midweek Worship 7:15 p.m.
"John the Baptist: His Offering Pointed to the Christ"
February 25		Mark 2:1-12: I Corinthians 2:14-3:15
February 26		Mark 2:13-22; I Corinthians 3:16-23
February 27		Mark 2:12-3:6; I Corinthians 4:1-7

Prayer of the Week:
O Lord God, you led your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land.  Guide now the people of your Church, that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT: February 28

Show us the path of life, O God, for in your presence is the fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Worship at 8:00 & 10:15	Mark 8:31-38; Romans 5:1-11

What does Jesus "get at" when he refers to Peter as "Satan"?

February 29		Mark 3:7-19; I Corinthians 4:8-21
March 1		Mark 3:19-35; I Corinthians 5:1-8
March 2		Mark 4:1-20; I Corinthians 5:9-6:11

Soup & Sandwich Supper	6:00 p.m.
Midweek Worship	7:15 p.m.
"The Pharisees: An Alternative Offering"

March 3		Mark 4:21-34; I Corinthians 6:12-20
March 4		Mark 4:35-41; I Corinthians 7:1-9
March 5		Mark 5:1-20; I Corinthians 7:10-24

Prayer for the Week:
Heavenly Father, it is your glory always to have mercy.  Bring back all who have erred and strayed from your ways; lead them again to embrace in faith the truth of your Word and to hold it fast; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT:  March 6

Your perfect law enlightens your servant, O Lord.  Keep us whole and sound, innocent of any great offense.

Worship at 8:00 & 10:15	John 2:13-22; Exodus 20:1-17

What was the meaning behind Jesus' reference to himself as the temple?

Soup & Sandwich Supper	6:00 p.m.
Midweek Worship	7:15 p.m.
"Judas' Misguided Offering"

March 10		Mark 6:30-46; I Corinthians 9:1-15
March 11		Mark 6:47-56; I Corinthians 9:16-27
March 12		Mark 7:1-23; I Corinthians 10:1-13

Prayer for the Week:
Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.  Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT:  March 13

We hang our harps by the rivers of Babylon.  How shall we sing your song, O Lord, in an alien land?

Worship at 8:00 & 10:15	John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:4-10

In the dilemma of our sin, who makes the first move, we or God?

March 14		Mark 7:24-37; I Corinthians 10:14-11:1
March 15		Mark 8:1-10; I Corinthians 11:2-34
March 16		Mark 8:11-26; I Corinthians 12:1-11

Soup & Sandwich Supper	6:00 p.m.
Midweek Worship	7:15 p.m.
"Zaccheus: An Inspired Offering"

March 17		Mark 8:27-9:1; I Corinthians 12:12-26
March 18		Mark 9:2-13; I Corinthians 12:27-13:3
March 19		Mark 9:14-29; I Corinthians 13:3-13

Prayer for the Week:
God of all mercy, by your power to heal and to forgive, graciously cleanse us from all sin and make us strong; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT:  March 20

Have mercy on us in your loving kindness, O God, for you know the truth that is deep within us.

Worship at 8:00 & 10:15	John 12:20-33; Hebrews 5:7-9

Whose decision was it that Jesus should go to Jerusalem and die on the cross?

March 21		Mark 9:30-41; I Corinthians 14:1-19
March 22		Mark 9:42-50; I Corinthians 15:20-40
March 23		Mark 10:32-45; II Corinthians 2:14-3:6

Soup & Sandwich Supper	6:00 p.m.
Midweek Worship	7:15 p.m.
"James and John: Conditional Offering"

March 24		Mark 10:17-31; II Corinthians 3:7-18
March 25		Mark 10:32-45; II Corinthians 4:1-12
March 26		Mark 10:46-52; II Corinthians 4:13-18

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world.  Renew us by your Holy spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

HOLY WEEK:	March 27-April 2

Holy one, enthroned on the praise of Israel, be not far from us, and we shall be known as yours forever.

Passion Sunday Worship at 8:00 & 10:15
	Mark 14:1-15:47; Philippians 2:5-11

How is the attitude of Christ a model for our acceptance of our own humanity?

March 28		Mark 11:12-25; II Corinthians 1:1-7
March 29		Mark 11:27-33; II Corinthians 1:8-22
March 30		Mark 12:1-11; II Corinthians 1:23-2:13
March 31		Mark 14:12-25; I Corinthians 10:14-17, I Corinthians 11:27-32

Maundy Thursday Services: March 31

	2:00 p.m.	Brief Service of Holy Communion
	7:15 p.m.	Service of Holy Communion 	"The Offering of His Presence"

The Absolution is given.  The season of penitence is ended.

April 1			John 19:38-42; I Peter 1:10-20

Good Friday Service:	April 1 	1:00 p.m.

April 2			Romans 8:1-11; Hebrews 4:1-16

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our flesh upon him and to suffer death on the cross.  Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Easter Sunday Worship	April 3, 1988	

6:30 a.m.	Sunrise Service with Communion
10:15 a.m.	Festival Worship with Communion

Easter Breakfast 7:30-9:00 a.m.

served by
Our Saviour's Youth Group