Liturgy
We gather this morning to
acknowledge you, oh God.
You who formed the mountains,
and you who made the stars and the heavens.
We honor you, our Maker, who turns darkness
into morning, and we worship the Spirit who gives
breath to all that lives.
Give us courage to live vibrantly in our community
and honor you with our days and our weeks.
May your Creating Spirit be among us, oh God,
as we gather and discover your will
for us in our neighborhood.
We ask in your Son’s holy name, amen.
Congregational Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
May this Lenten season be for us …
A time of learning to look,
A time of learning to recognize
the complex roots of injustice,
To recognize the Gethsemanes in our local community.
May this Lenten season be for us …
A time of learning to become an Easter people,
A time of learning to recognize
the deep roots of compassion,
To recognize we are called to announce
the hope of your Son’s resurrection.
We gather as a community today to give thanks
and reflect on your teachings,
in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Reflection
Are we distracted by our own story? Do we forget to understand we are part of a greater story?
What can we do this week to remind ourselves of God’s covenant with us?
Benediction
In this season of Lent, take time, when you can, to be still.
Ponder the one who gave his life
to bring forth the kingdom of God.
We will honor Christ by believing
in God’s vision for creation;
We will be like good soil,
in which the seeds of justice may grow.
God speaks to us in the life of Jesus;
Let us hear the word and understand it.
We are witnesses to God’s transforming power;
We go forth as Christ’s partners
in the work of justice and love.
All in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church. See you throughout the week.
[Photo by picturesbydiann @ Flickr]