Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church - 3670 Perkiomen Avenue Reiffton, Reading, PA 19606 610-779-0534

Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church
                3670 Perkiomen Avenue
              Reiffton, Reading, PA 19606
                www.reformationlutheran.org
                      610-779-0534
__________________________________________________________
Fourth Sunday in Lent                       March 14, 2021
A Service of Word and Sacrament        8:00 AM and 9:30 AM

Welcome to Reformation:
      Please add your voice and heart to the worship: sing the hymns
       and pray the prayers. Everyone is welcome at Jesus’ Table, and
       everyone’s voice is needed to tell the Good News of God’s love
       in Christ.

      CD’s are available of the services. Please let the office know if
       you would like a copy.

      Services are Livestreamed on Facebook. They can be found
       on Reformation’s Facebook Page – click on “videos”.

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22;
Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21

The fourth of the Old Testament promises providing a baptismal lens this
Lent is the promise God makes to Moses: those who look on the bronze
serpent will live. In today’s gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the
cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live.
When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the
sign we can look to in faith for healing, for restored relationship to God,
for hope when we are dying.

Worship Leaders
Presiding Minister:    The Rev. Paul Metzloff
Director of Music:     Heidi Rochlin
Reader:                Elisha Barnett
Live streaming:        Andy Dobroskey
Altar Guild:           Kathy Austin and Pam Schneeberger

PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The assembly stands.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the keeper of the covenant,
the source of steadfast love, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

God hears us when we cry, and draws us close in Jesus Christ. Let us
return to the one who is full of compassion.

Fountain of living water,
pour out your mercy over us.
Our sin is heavy, and we long to be free.
Rebuild what we have ruined and mend what we have torn.
Wash us in your cleansing flood.
Make us alive in the Spirit to follow in the way of Jesus,
as healers and restorers of the world you so love. Amen.
Beloved, God’s word never fails.
The promise rests on grace:
by the saving love of Jesus Christ, the wisdom and power of God,
your sins are ☩ forgiven, and God remembers them no more.
Journey in the way of Jesus.
Amen.

The assembly stands.

GATHERING SONG      LEAD ME, GUIDE ME                          ELW# 768

   Chorus:
   Lead me, guide me, along the way; for if you lead me, I cannot stray.
   Lord, let me walk each day with thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

   I am weak and I need thy strength and power,
   to help me over my weakest hour.
   Help me through the darkness thy face to see.
   Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Chorus

   Help me tread in the paths of righteousness,
   be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
   I am putting all my trust in thee.
   Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Chorus

   I am lost if you take your hand from me,
   I am blind without thy light to see.
   Lord, just always let me thy servant be.
   Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Chorus

GREETING

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.

KYRIE

PRAYER OF THE DAY
     O God, you bless us with your steadfast love. Help us to receive and
reflect that love, that we may be a part of Christ’s work to save your world
and give abundant life to all. Amen!

The assembly is seated.

FIRST READING                                 NUMBERS 21: 4-9
    A reading from Numbers, the 21st chapter.

    The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm                                             Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

    1
      Give thanks to the LORD, for the | LORD is good,
     for God’s mercy en- | dures forever.
    2
      Let the redeemed of the | LORD proclaim
     that God redeemed them from the hand | of the foe,
    3
      gathering them in | from the lands;
     from the east and from the west, from the north and | from the
          south.
    17
      Some were fools and took re- | bellious paths;
     through their sins they | were afflicted.
    18
       They loathed all man- | ner of food
     and drew near | to death’s door.
    19
       Then in their trouble they cried | to the LORD
     and you delivered them from | their distress.
    20
       You sent forth your | word and healed them
     and rescued them | from the grave.
    21
       Let them give thanks to you, LORD, for your | steadfast love
     and your wonderful works | for all people.
    22
       Let them offer sacrifices | of thanksgiving
     and tell of your deeds with | shouts of joy.

SECOND READING                              EPHESIANS 2:1-10
                                  nd
   A reading from Ephesians, the 2 chapter.
   The Word of the Lord.     Thanks be to God.
   The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

GOSPEL                                                  MARK 9:2-9
  The Holy Gospel according to Mark, the 9th chapter.
       Glory to you, O Lord.
  The Gospel of the Lord
       Praise to you, O Christ.             The assembly is seated.

SERMON
   The assembly stands.

HYMN OF THE DAY: AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND ELW #315

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 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.

Offering of Music      Psalm 86, Carl J. Nygard, Jr.
                        The Rochlin Ensemble Singers

       Your financial offering, whether online, mailed or brought to the
       church, is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

The assembly stands.

PRAYERS

Assisting Minister: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ
Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
    Each petition of the prayers concludes with these words.
    Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

THE PEACE

    The peace of Christ be with you always.
    And also with you.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

    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, our duty and our joy . . . and so, with all the choirs of
angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your
name and join their unending hymn:

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer
    And now let us boldly and confidently pray:
    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!

Invitation to Communion

Those who desire to commune may come forward using the center aisle.
Take a wafer and cup of wine or grape juice (wine on the left, grape juice
on the right). Please return to your seat by the side aisle before
communing, maintaining proper distancing.

HYMN: WE FALL DOWN                                                 C43

   We fall down, we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus,
   the greatness of mercy and love at the feet of Jesus.
   And we cry holy, holy, holy, and we cry holy, holy, holy,
   and we cry holy, holy, holy is the Lamb.

COMMUNION PRAYER
 God of steadfast love, at this table you gather your people into one body
 for the sake of the world. Send us in the power of your Spirit, that our
 lives bear witness to the love that has made us new in Jesus Christ, our
 Savior and Lord. Amen!

BLESSING
 You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good
 works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor.
 God bless you ☩ that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy
 and life-giving Trinity. Amen!

SENDING HYMN                MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE                          ELW # 759

DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by
permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies. Annual License #26750.

PRAYER LIST

Please keep these people in your prayers.

We are in the process of improving the prayer list, especially the ‘Friends
of Reformation’ section. If you have an update, please let us know! If
you would like to place a name on the prayer list, please first get their
permission, then call the church office or e-mail to:
mail@reformationlutheran.org. We will keep their name on the list for
three months. If the name needs to remain on the list just call the
office with an update.

Reformation Family: Carol Baer, Fritz Bower, Erna Breithaupt, Linda
Centofanti, Harriet Clauser, Ralph DiGuardi, George Gerhart, Roger
Hillibush, Tom Hinkle, Kathy Hoffmaster, Marie Kisling, Patti Kline,
Blanche Link, LaJune McDonough, Joyce Osborne, Mark Painter, Jayne
Phillips, Ginny Rathman, Barb Regar, Muffy Reinecker, Joanne
Reinhart, Julie Seiz, Melba Stamm, Helene Steffen and Rose Vild.

Friends of Reformation: Judy Coda, Dave Coldren, Jean Cooke, Mary
Crick, Sandra Darcangelo, Patty Derr, Ronald Derr, Caleb England,
Nancy Faust, Scott Flicker, Mike Freed, Kevin Gingrich, Kathy Hartman,
Mike Jarmiolowski, Batya Leidner, Jacki Love, Christine Love, Sandy
Messner, Barb Myers, Shirley Peiffer, Lori Rothenberger, James Strause,
Taylor Tenuta, John Weigler, Gerry, Drew and Suzan.

                                 * * *

Adult Studies: Want to dig deeper into God’s Word as part of your
Lenten discipline? Reformation’s Adult Sunday School and the Monday
afternoon Adult Bible Study are just a click away. Both are meeting via
Zoom. Adult Sunday School meets every Sunday after the Live Stream
Worship, at 10:45 am. We are currently following the ELCA’s “Daily
Faith Practices” which studies the second lesson of that day’s lectionary.
Adult Bible Study meets on Mondays at 1 pm and the curriculum varies.
If you would like an invite to either or both Zoom meetings, please
contact Steve & Elisha Barnett. Call (610) 301-9900 or email Steve at
sgb121266@aol.com or Elisha at elisha@elishabarnett.com. We’d love
to have you join us!

Online Resources for Worship: In addition to watching our worship
through Facebook, you can watch it on our church website:
www.reformationlutheran.org. Under the Worship section, there is now
a page where the last two videos of worship services are posted.

Palms and Lilies:     Sponsorships of palms and lilies for our Holy
Week services are now available. Potted palms are rented at a cost of
$18.00 per plant. Six palms are needed. Lilies cost $9.50 each and may
be removed following worship Easter morning. Please call the church
office to place your order as well as indicating your “in memory of”
and/or “in honor of” wishes.

In-Person 8 am Service: For maximum safety, the portico door will be
the only unlocked entrance door; masks will be required while in the
church building; please try to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to
start of service; please sit only where bulletins have been placed in the
pews; exceptions to social distancing will be allowed for family members.

Giving to support our ministries in Christ’s name remains important,
while we are unable to gather in large groups. You can give online at
www.reformationlutheran.org, through your bank’s bill payer, or by
mailing a check to the church building.

Christ in Our Home books for January, February and March 2021 are
now available in the plastic bin under the Portico. Please stop by and pick
one up.

                        REFORMATION’S STAFF

Pastor: Paul Metzloff
        Pastor@reformationlutheran.org or (570) 706-1330
Office Manager: Lydia L. Strobel
                 mail@reformationlutheran.org
Accountant: Larry Varone (office hours: M & Th, 9-11)
            L.varone@reformationlutheran.org
Financial Secretary: Steve Barnett
Director of Music: Heidi Rochlin      hrochlin@yahoo.com
Web Master: Sarah Hawk webmaster@reformationlutheran.org
Custodian: Debbie Wieland

CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEMBERS

President:            Wendy Richards
Vice President:       Carole Miller
Secretary:            Melanie Bechtel*
Treasurer:            Sara Lambert*
Members      Rich Hawk                   Tim Dewalt
             Shirley Harner              Jeanne Gochnauer
             Tina Little                 Patty Matijasich
             Alicia Bergey               Andy Dobroskey
             Cynthia Smoker-Johnston     Pam Schneeberger

*Non-council member