Palm SundayCALL TO WORSHIP repeated three times P: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. C: Hosanna in the highest. PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL: Mark 11:1-11 1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, [Jesus] sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. BLESSING OF THE PALMS P: Let us pray. We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. PROCESSIONAL HYMN “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” CONFESSION P: Let us confess our sins to God, whose steadfast love endures forever. Silence for reflection P: God who knows us through and through, C: We confess that we have sinned, and although we would like to deny it, we have forsaken you. We are horrified by the suffering we cause—to you, ourselves, and the world you have created. Open the gates of your forgiveness and restore us in your love, for the sake of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. P: The Lord God helps us; we will not be disgraced. The Lord God helps us; who can declare us guilty? Sister and brothers, beyond the shadow of doubt, your sins are forgiven. By the mercy of Christ, let us stand together forgiven and free. C: Amen. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: God of salvation, our Lord entered his passion to raise us to life. In this holiest of weeks, help us to walk the way of the cross, that we may be raised in a resurrection like his and dwell forever in you, Eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 28One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that [Jesus] answered them well, [the scribe] asked [Jesus], “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” PRAYERS OF INTERSESSION P: Trusting in God’s promise to reconcile all things, let us pray for the church and a world in need. A brief silence. P: Blessed One, today the church sings glad hosannas as we enter Holy Week. Prepare us to bear witness to Christ’s suffering and death endured for our sake. Gather your people around the cross and comfort us with resurrection hope. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Establish peace and justice among the nations (including Ukraine & Russia, Gaza & Israel) Hold to account any with authority to judge others. Grant that courts, legislatures, and local governments will serve with integrity and compassion. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Bring hope to any who feel forsaken or forgotten. We pray for refugees and asylum seekers who are separated from their families. We pray for any who are incarcerated, institutionalized, or in foster care, that they may know your love. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: We lift up in prayer Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian, and Mary Jo. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. C: Amen. OFFERING PRAYER During Lent we are collecting unscented bottles of lotion for local residents of Senior Facilities. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by Worship Nation BENEDICTION P: May God bless you, give you mercy, fill you with courage, and + give you peace. C: Amen. HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Intentional! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495
0 Comments
5th Sunday in LentLENT CALL TO WORSHIP P: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions. C: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love! P: The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. C: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Let us pray for the cleansing of our hearts, confessing our sins to the One whose mercy is everlasting. Silence for personal reflection P: Redeeming God, C: we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, and have not loved our neighbors as we ought; we have strayed from your commandments. Do not remember our sins, but forgive our iniquities, that we may fix our eyes on you and sin no more, through Christ our Lord. Amen. P: Here is God’s grace: Out of love for the whole world, God breaks every snare of sin, washes away our wrongs, and restores the promise of life through + Jesus Christ. You are forgiven in the name of our Messiah. C: Amen. HYMN “As the Grains of Wheat” PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Holy God, by the cross and resurrection of Jesus, you lift the suffering world toward hope and transformation and open the way to eternal salvation. As we move ever closer to the passion of Christ, may your law of love be written on our hearts as he draws all people to himself revealing your love for the world. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It 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. 33But 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. 34No 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. Gospel: John 12:20-33 20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very 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. 25Those 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. 27“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. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. SERMON HYMN “Now the Green Blade Rises” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Trusting in God’s promise to reconcile all things, let us pray for the church, the well-being of creation, and a world in need. P: God of the covenant, through the church you draw us into community. We give thanks for the means of grace around which we gather. Inspire writers, musicians, and artists whose creative gifts adorn our worship. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of all that exists, you lavish the earth with extravagant beauty. Preserve the rich and complex diversity of living things. Support local and national efforts to protect the environment for future generations. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of the nations, you desire peace for all people. Defend those who challenge oppression and expose corruption. Support advocates for human rights, social justice, and the welfare of children. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God, you restore what is broken. We pray for anyone experiencing estrangement, conflict, or abuse in families or intimate relationships. Protect and comfort all who are vulnerable. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of every time and place, you are with us during our times of struggle. We lift up in prayer Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, and Brian.. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: God of promise, we give thanks for the saints whose faith inspires us. Grant us faith to trust in your everlasting love. Hear us, O God. C: Your mercy is great. P: Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. C: Amen. LENT OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. During Lent we are collecting bottles of unscented hand lotion for local residents of Senior facilities. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by Andy Williams BENEDICTION from St. Patrick P: Christ with you, Christ before you, Christ behind you, Christ within you, Christ below you, Christ above you, Christ on your right, Christ on your left, Christ when you lie down, Christ when you stand up, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of you, Christ in the mouth of every person who speaks of you, Christ in the eye that sees you, Christ in the ear that hears you. C: Amen. HYMN “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Intentional! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 4th Sunday in LentLENT CALL TO WORSHIP P: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions. C: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love! P: The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. C: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, for people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Let us uncover our sin before the liberating light of Christ. Silence for Personal Reflection P: Merciful God, C: we confess the folly of our sin and the hypocrisy of our complaints. We grumble about the evils in our world, even as we commit injustices and deceit. We fret about the scarcity of resources while hoarding earth’s goods and cheating the poor. We protest the problems of our world, but we do not actively work to address them. Merciful God, expose our sins before the light of your grace. Heal our sin and free us from our foolish ways that we me know the joy of eternal life in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. P: Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. C: Thanks be to God. HYMN “Lift High the Cross” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbcBXYP4AlE PRAYER OF THE DAY Based on Ephesians 2:10 P: Almighty God, through Jesus Christ you bring salvation to the world. Give us strength to believe in him that we may share in his victory over the power of death and fulfill the purpose for which you have made us, for he dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. C: Amen. READINGS Hebrew Bible Reading: Numbers 21:4-9 4From Mount Hor [the Israelites] set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” 6Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” 9So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. Epistle Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 1You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Gospel: John 3:14-21 [Jesus said:] 14“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” SERMON HYMN “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Sisters and brothers, confident in God’s love and mercy, let us pray for the world and for our needs. P: Holy God, you created us in Christ Jesus for good works. Help those who profess faith in Christ to do good in the world, following the way of life you have prepared for those who believe in him. For the church of Jesus Christ, Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: Your children walk by your light, doing what is true. Yet salvation is not earned by good works, but through trust in your grace. Dispel from your children arrogance of heart, that the world may be drawn to your truth by their humble witness. Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: In every age you call forth men and women of integrity to lead your people in the way of righteousness. Help pastors and teachers fulfill their calling; give them courage to speak the truth in love, and shield them from temptation to misuse their authority. For pastors and teachers, Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: God, your reign encompasses all the earth, though the nations may rebel against your justice. Save the nations from the wrath of their disobedience. Help them to dwell in peace and promote the common good. For governments and leaders, Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: You hear the cry of the sick and the afflicted. Save them from their distress, heal them of their disease, and deliver them from the destructive power of suffering. For all who sorrow in distress, (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, and Brian.) Merciful God, C: hear our prayer. P: O God, in Jesus Christ you have shown your love for the world. Receive our prayers, grant us what we need, save us from perishing, and bring us to everlasting life. C: Amen. LENT OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. We are collecting unscented bottles of lotion for local nursing home residents. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by Michael O’Brien BENEDICTION P: May the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the light of the Spirit bless you and keep you in the way of truth. C: Amen. HYMN “Goodness Is Stronger than Evil” CHARGE P: Go And...Be Intentional! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 3rd Sunday in LentLENT CALL TO WORSHIP P: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions. C: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love! P: The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. C: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Christ calls us to live lives in harmony with our God and our neighbors. Even our best efforts fall short. Yet our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Trusting that abundant mercy, let us confess our sin together. Silence for Reflection P: God of righteousness, we confess that have not kept your commandments. We bow down before idols, declaring our allegiance to other powers and principalities. We take your name in vain, using it to justify our own prejudices and opinions. We do not make adequate time to rest and remember your goodness, nor to revel in the delight of family and friends. We look the other way in the face of violence, oppression, sexual assault, and unjust economic practices. Our dishonesty and greed get the better of us. Yet you gave us commandments not for condemnation, but so that we might live in justice and joy. Purify us by your righteousness and enfold us in your grace. Sanctify our intentions and actions, that our lives may begin to reflect your Beloved Community. Amen. P: Hear these words from the Apostle Paul, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” The grace of Christ is sufficient for us. In Jesus Christ, + you are forgiven! C: Thanks be to God! HYMN “O Christ, Our King, Creator, Lord” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCKx1iG9U6g PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Gracious God, whose power is made perfect in weakness, whose wisdom appears as foolishness in this world, we thank you for the scandal of the cross. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, C: Amen. READING: Exodus 20:1-17 After escaping from slavery, the Israelites come to Mount Sinai, where God teaches them how to live in community. The Ten Commandments proclaim that God alone is worthy of worship. Flowing from God, the life of the community flourishes when based on honesty, trust, fidelity, and respect for life, family, and property. 1God spoke all these words: 2I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3you shall have no other gods before me. 4You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13You shall not murder. 14You shall not commit adultery. 15You shall not steal. 16You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. SERMON Rev. Lori E.L. Kitzing https://youtu.be/LJ0E177jsJk PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: Liberating God, in love you have set us free: free to know and love you, free to follow and serve you. P: We praise you for your faithful love toward us, and for the many ways you have demonstrated that love to us. We see your love in the natural world around us. We see your love in the gift of Your commandments, that guide us into right relationship with you, and with the people around us. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: Because we have experienced your love, we come before you with confidence, bringing our needs and the needs of our world. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for those who live surrounded by violence—whether from war or political unrest, crime or domestic abuse. We pray for those who have been victims of violent crime, and for those whose loved ones have been injured or murdered. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for those who find themselves involved in crime, whether by choice or through coercion; those caught up into gangs or prostitution, those who have turned to crime to pay for their addictions, those who are imprisoned. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for our homes and families: for parents juggling the responsibilities of work and family, for husbands and wives whose marriages are breaking down. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for the many people in our world who do not yet know you and have not experienced the new life that comes from knowing Christ Jesus; who search for purpose and meaning. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: We pray for those who names rest on our hearts, especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian, and the family of Marilyn. God, in your unfailing love, C: hear our prayer. P: Merciful God, give us strength and courage to keep your commandments, to live in faithful obedience to your will. Guard our hearts and minds from all that might distract us from living out our commitment to You. Help us to find our true worth in knowing you more fully, and serving you more faithfully. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Cornerstone. C: Amen. LENT OFFERING PRAYER Financial gifts may be sent to the church. We are collecting unscented bottles of lotion for local nursing home residents. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Spoken in Hindi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdN5esbR_s BENEDICTION P: As you go, may Christ’s grace + nurture your heart, God’s justice guide your mind, and the Holy Spirit’s power fill your every breath, To the glory of our living Lord, C: Amen. HYMN “When I Survey the Wonderous Cross” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wxFQCvv1uk CHARGE P: Go And...Have the Conversation! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 February 25, 2024CALL TO WORSHIP P: People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our sins and transgressions. C: God remembers us according to God’s own steadfast love! P: The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and leads us in truth. C: All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness; we put our trust in God. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: Trusting in God’s promise of salvation, let us confess our sin and repent. Silence for Reflection P: Merciful God, C: we confess that we have not been sincere Christians. We claim to follow Jesus but have not taken his path of sacrificial love. We profess to be disciples, but we are not willing to bear the cost of discipleship. We affirm the virtue of self-denial, but we indulge our selfish desires and seek earthly gain. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for sincere repentance through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. P: Brothers and sisters, in Jesus Christ, + crucified, risen, and coming again, we are forgiven and set free to live in faithfulness with God and with one another! Thanks be to God! C: Amen. HYMN “Christ, the Life of All the Living” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpWU7SOzHXg PRAYER OF THE DAY P: God, your Son Jesus Christ bore the cross for our salvation and was raised from the dead for the redemption of the world. Give us the courage to take up our cross and follow him, that through his grace we may accept the cost of faithful discipleship and receive the joy of everlasting life with Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. READINGS: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 & Romans 4:13-25 SERMON & READINGS https://youtu.be/hvqbk4N6kJs PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION P: O Lord, we give you thanks for the example of Abraham and for all the saints who have gone before us - for those who waited for your promises to come to pass - for those who lived in hope while around them it seemed to be only darkness. Help us to examine our own faith - to look seriously at our resistance to talk about the cross and sacrifice. And to consider our reluctance to give up the things of this world. Are we willing to risk our reputations, our comfort, and our security for the sake of following you. Lord, hear our prayer, C: and in your love, answer. P: We pray, O Lord, that you would make us bold in our faith. Through our self-denial, help us make visible to all our brothers and sisters the reality of your power and care for us. Lord, hear our prayer, C: and in your love, answer. P: We pray, O Lord, for those people whose names are resting on our hearts (especially Julie, Karla, Stephanie, Cammie, Nancy, Beverly, Micala, Murlene, Brian, and Marilyn). We pray for the members of our church who are struggling with their health. We pray for those who feel lost. Help them to see that your light shines around them and your word is close to hand. Lord, hear our prayer, C: and in your love, answer. P: All these things we pray to, through your Son Jesus, who died that we might live, and who lives that we might never die. C: Amen. LENT OFFERING PRAYER During Lent we are collecting unscented bottles of lotion to distribute to residents of local nursing homes. Financial gifts may be sent to the church. P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Sung by 3C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXP5zDSIfg BENEDICTION P: May the blessing of God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, uphold you on the way. C: Amen. HYMN “The Glory of These Forty Days” CHARGE P: Go And...Have the Conversation! So that you can better love God and your neighbor. C: Thanks be to God. Printed by permission oneliscense.net A-717495 Lenten Mid-Week Worship Week 1: ”Forgiveness When We’ve Done Wrong (As We All Have)” CALL TO WORSHIP Philippians 1:2 P: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. C: Amen. CONFESSION P: Let us confess our sins and delight in the wonder of God’s love. Silence for reflection P: If we claim to be sinless, we are self-deceived and strangers to the truth. If we confess our sins, God is just and may be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every kind of wrong. C: Spirit of God, search our hearts. P: God of mercy, C: we have sinned against you and against others. We have sinned in what we have done, and in what we have failed to do. We are truly sorry. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, forgive us all that is past and raise us to newness of life. Amen. P: Almighty God, who pardons all who repent, forgive your sins, strengthen you by the Holy Spirit, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. C: Amen. READING: Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? ’Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ HOMILY PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE P: Make your ways known upon earth, O God, C: and your saving power known among all peoples. P: Renew your Church in holiness, C: and help us to serve you with joy. P: Guide the leaders of this and every nation, C: that justice and peace may prevail throughout the world. P: Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten or overlooked, C: nor the hope of the poor be taken away because of human actions. P: Make us instruments of your peace, C and guide us in our daily decisions. EVENING PRAYER P: Gracious God, you have given us much today; grant us also a thankful spirit. Into your hands we commend ourselves and those we love. Be with us still, and when we take our rest renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen. C: In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. HYMN “My Song Is Love Unknown” BLESSING P: The grace of our + Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: Amen. CHARGE P: Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace. C: We go in the name of Christ. Amen. Liturgy is modified from the “Evening Prayer” liturgy in the New Zealand Prayer Book, used by our brothers and sisters in The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia |
AuthorRev. Lori E.L. Kitzing Archives
February 2024
Categories |