Liturgy

In the presence of the Holy
whose word has called the universe
into being, we stand in awe.

In the presence of the Spirit
that stirs within us
and causes our hearts to thirst for love,
we stand in need.

In your presence, Giver of life,
we come to worship,
open to truth and love
and wholeness.

Be with us now and always.
We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Congregational Prayer

In this season of Lent, let us pray and confess to God as a community.

Lord, we have denied you,
each time we refused to see you in the faces
of the hungry and the homeless.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

Lord, we have betrayed you,
each time we have kept our distance
from the anguish of the oppressed and the persecuted.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

Lord, we have mocked you,
each time we rationalize the limits of
how radically you call us to live.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

Lord, we are lost and have strayed.
Welcome us into your forgiving arms and cleanse our hearts.
May the old in us pass away and all things become new.

All merciful One, God of infinite love and compassion,
though we have strayed, you have never abandoned us.

In this season of repentance,
we confess our sins to you and yearn
for the healing power of your forgiveness.
Give us renewed and truthful hearts
that will follow you in all of our ways.

We pray in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reflection

How open are you to God’s plans and how tight is your fist around your own plan?
What are some risks that God is calling you to in the midst of your comfortable life?

Benediction

Learn from Christ, trust him, delight in him,
give your whole daily affairs to him,
and you will never walk alone
or serve without the eternal joy
which can not be taken from you.

Let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge of God
and of his true Son, Christ Jesus our Lord;

And the blessing of the fullness of God,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
will be with you
today and ever more.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by jillian anderson @ Flickr]