Liturgy
Christ Jesus, may we follow you
on the pilgrim way of Lent.
May we journey with you into the
wilderness, willing to move beyond the
ordinary, so that we can discover your
unexpected sacred places in our world.
Christ Jesus, may we wash our hands and
purify our hearts, learning to thirst after
righteousness and hunger after justice.
May we humble ourselves before you,
expecting to see you revealed in a new light.
And Christ Jesus, may we walk with you no
matter how challenging the path,
learning to be patient with darkness
and growth, willing to live with not
knowing, until your ways in us take
root and sprout into life.
We pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Community Confession
God, we confess, our need for your
mercy and guidance this Lenten season.
When we are drawn to the easy satisfaction of our
appetites, to the simple addictions of pleasure,
We pray for the strength to say ‘no’
and to live by your soul-feeding word.
When we are caught up in the self-aggrandizing
song of power and self-sufficiency,
We pray for the humility to serve,
and to worship the only One who is worthy.
When we are challenged to accumulate and
to find our security in wealth and stability,
We pray for the grace to give, and
for the faith to trust in your care.
For us and for our world, let us embrace your
wisdom and your word, and may we commit to
living in your light so that in some small way,
we may dispel the darkness in each of us.
We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
When you consider your current level of intimacy with God and others, what feelings do you feel?
If you believed you were fully loved, what would you do differently?
In trying to get what your soul wants, what shortcuts are you taking?
Benediction
Dear friends, remember,
that wherever we go,
we never walk alone:
for our Lord Jesus Christ is walking
in front of us to lead us, our Lord Jesus
Christ is walking behind us to encourage
us, our Lord Jesus Christ is above us to
guide us, and beneath us to support us.
Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ is
beside us to hold, support and befriend us.
And it is our Savior, the Risen Lord Jesus Christ
who lives within our hearts to give us his peace,
joy, mercy and love this day and forever more.
So leave here and take comfort in our Lord,
who is victorious over temptation and death,
in the name of the Father,
of the Risen Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.