Liturgy
Who is this who enters the doors
of our temple, who overturns the
tables, strews silver and gold on
the floor, frees the sacrificial
doves from gilded cages?
Listen, as they rise, the beating of
their wings is a song of loud hosanna.
It is Jesus of Galilee, the Son of God,
who comes to cleanse the great temple,
to restore its subverted chambers
to a house of hallowed prayer.
Then let us open the doors of our hearts,
so he can cast out the thieves who would
take what is sacred and tender and turn it
hard as gold in a fist.
May the temple within each of us be a
refuge where grace and mercy dwell.
May it be a garden that bears
the fruits of a generous spirit.
Oh Lord, take what is corrupt and
withered and let it break forth in beauty.
For thine is the kingdom and
the power and the glory forever.
We look to you, in our season of Lent
and pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Community Confession
Gracious and merciful God, we confess to you our reluctance
to enter the places where we are confronted with our true selves.
The places where we are tempted to put worldly values before
our desire for you, and when our hunger for power and wealth
is greater than our hunger for seeking and doing your will:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to use the gifts you give us
to benefit ourselves at the expense of serving others:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to use sensational
means to increase people’s faith, rather
than being guided by the humility of Christ:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to use bribery
to influence and control people:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
When we are tempted to manipulate
you, O God, to satisfy our own needs:
Forgive us, O God, and increase our trust in you.
Merciful God, save us from the time
of trial, and deliver us from evil.
Forgive us our sins and fill us with
the joy and peace of your salvation.
Strengthen us with your Spirit that we may put
our whole trust in you as confidently as Jesus did.
We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 3.8.15 – Spatial Values
Benediction
Go now, with God’s foolishness
and weakness as your only
wisdom and strength.
Proclaim Christ crucified,
and seek riches only in the
love of God’s Word and in
zeal for God’s house.
And may God’s just demands be
your nourishment and delight.
May Christ be the power and
wisdom of God to you.
And may the Holy Spirit
keep you, thought and word,
in God’s good grace.
So go forth this week to love and serve
in name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.