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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 27)

L: The Lord is my Light and Salvation, whom shall I fear?
P: The  Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
L:  May we dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives,
P: to behold the beauty of the Lord and to worship at his footstool.
L: Come, let us worship the Lord!

 

Call to Worship:

L: Show me your paths , Lord, and teach me to follow
P: Guide me by your truth and instruct me
L: You keep me safe and I always trust you;
All: In everything you do, you are kind and faithful to everyone who keeps their agreement with you.
L: Praise the name of the Lord.
P: The Lord's name be praised!

 

Opening Prayer

God the great gardener, you have planted each of us with care, have watered and sheltered us, have allowed us room to grow, some in fertile soil, some in not so fertile. We have flourished under your care and while some of us remain shoots, others saplings and yet more trees we all have the expectation and possibility of new growth and of producing fruit. Enable us in our time together today to find ways to sprout yet more leaves and lengthen our roots. May this space be fertilizer for our souls. Amen.

 

Prayer of Invocation

From our God who loves us with an everlasting love, who brings forth a new creation in Christ, who leads us by the Spirit in the wilderness: Grace and abundant mercy be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Eternal God, it is your glory always to have mercy. Bring back all who have erred and strayed from your ways; lead them again to embrace in faith the truth of your Word and to hold it fast; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

A Prayer of Confession for Lent

O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins which I have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and deed; in body and soul alike. I am sincerely sorry that I have offended you, and I truly repent.

I humbly ask you, O Lord: by your great mercy forgive me all my past transgressions and absolve me from them.

I firmly resolve, with the help of your Holy Spirit, to amend my way of life with the goal to sin no more; that I may walk in the way of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

Prayer of Intercession

As we seek in this Lenten time to grow in our faith, let us pray for the life of the world.

That the whole church may return to the font this Lent and through the promises of baptism be found faithful to our citizenship that is in heaven, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That those preparing for Easter baptism will discover God's ever-widening covenant embrace, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That the nations find peace this season, that trust be rebuilt and enemies become neighbors, and for the peace of Jerusalem, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That all exiles and refugees find comfort and welcome in the kind embrace of others, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That those who suffer illness of body or mind (especially) may receive God's gracious healing, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That the leaders of this congregation may serve in imitation of Christ and faithfully guide us, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That together with Perpetua, Felicity, and their martyred companions, Thomas Aquinas, teacher (other names), and all the faithful departed, we may at last find a home in the heavenly Jerusalem, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Grant these prayers, merciful God, and all that we need, as we eagerly await the Easter feast; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer based on all Lections:

God of Love and Mercy, we turn to you as we continue our journey through Lent.   During these 40 days, we ask you to search our souls, create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us.  Help us avoid the stubbornness of ancient Jerusalem.  Help us to heed Christ's call and invitation to turn to you.   

God of Promise and Hope, fulfill your promises to us as we put our trust in you as Abraham and Sarah did.  Help us understand with our heart that we are citizens of your kingdom. Lord,  help us live our lives in light of eternity.  God of Love and Mercy, we turn to you because you are our light and salvation. Keep us in your arms and lead us by your mighty hand.  Amen.

 

Prayer for Lent

O Lord our God, teach us temperance and self-control, that we may live in the Spirit and be mindful of all that Jesus endured and sacrificed for our sakes, and how he was made perfect through sufferings.
Help us so to keep the fast that you have chosen, that we may loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free; through the grace of Christ Jesus our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer:    - by St. Thomas Aquinas

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.