Where is the Hunger, Where is the Hope?

 

SEEKERS CHURCH

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

Lent 2003

Where is the Hunger, Where is the Hope?

 

REFLECTION

O deep unknown, guttering candle,

beloved nugget lodged

in the obscure heart’s

last recess,

have mercy upon us.

 

We choose from the past, tearing morsels to feed

pride or grievance.

We live in terror

of what we know:

 

death, death, and the world’s

death we imagine

and cannot imagine,

we who may be

the first and the last witness.

 

We live in terror

of what we do not know,

in terror of not knowing,

of the limitless, through which freefalling

forever, our dread

sinks and sinks,

or

of the violent closure of all.

 

Yet our hope lies

in the unknown,

in our unknowing.

     

O deep, remote unknown,

O deep unknown,

Have mercy upon us.

Denise Levertov

 

PRELUDE

 

SILENCE

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      We who live in the shelter of the Most High

who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

have gathered to say to our God:

 

People:      We hunger but cannot live by bread alone;

feed us with the milk and honey

of Your Holy Spirit.

We hope but are afraid;

be our refuge and our dwelling place

 

Leader:      Let us proclaim the Word of faith

believing that God’s hands will bear us up

that She will command her angels concerning us.

 

All:             Today we declare to our God:

“We want to enter the land you have given us

and celebrate your bounty.”

                       

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

CHANT

All:        Kyrie Eleison

 

PRAYERS

CONFESSION

Leader:      Have mercy, tender God,
forget that we defied you.
Wash away our sin,
and cleanse us from our guilt.

 

People:      You show us who we are.

We see what we have done,

and what we have failed to do.

 

All:             We offer you our shattered spirits.
Have mercy and change our hearts.

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE 

Leader:      God loves us and makes us lovely,

                  teaching us this hidden wisdom:

                  In God’s tender mercy,

                  we are washed with fresh water,

                  we are cleansed as bright as snow.

 

All:             Amen.

 

PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION

 

OFFERING

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION   

Leader:      Listen for the joy and gladness

hidden all around you.
Listen as the world cries and mourns.
Go into the world and carry with you

God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy.

 

Walk with Jesus in these dark days.

 

All:       Amen.