Lent 2011 – Where Will Our Help Come From?

GATHERING

 

ENTRANCE

REFLECTION

If you listen
not to the pages or preachers
but to the smallest flower
growing from a crack in your heart,
you will hear a great song
moving across a wide ocean…
connecting the islands
of the universe together…
you will feel it
touching you…
embracing you
with light.

John Squadra, This Ecstasy
quoted in inward/outward July 28, 2008

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: The days ahead are dark and full of foreboding.

 

People: It is the Lenten season.

 

Leader: In this season we journey with Jesus toward his death.

 

People: In this season Jesus journeys with us
             as we endeavor to die
             to our old habits and destructive ways.

 

Leader: Even in this dark season,
             God’s promise of new life embraces us.

 

All:        We rejoice that in the darkness
             God calls us to become
             children of the light!

 

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS
 

COMMON CONFESSION
Leader: Forgiving, Loving Creator,
            we come before you burdened with guilt.

 

Voice 1: We’ve set our minds on things that will not last.

 

Voice 2: Greed and power call to us, and we listen.

 

Leader:  We give in to temptation again and again,
              turning from you into the darkness.

 

Voice 1: By our inaction and our actions
             we destroy the very world
             you have given us to care for.

 

Voice 2: We decry the inhumanity of others,
             yet pursue our own creature comforts
             instead of justice.

 

All:       Holy One, we acknowledge our sin

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE
Leader: Through our life in Jesus Christ
            we find our help and our salvation.
            We are forgiven by the grace of God.

 

All:          Amen.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

 

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
All:            O Holy One, we come today
                 to claim our relationship with you.
                We pray for the commitment to grow together,
                sharing the gifts you give us with others
                here and in the wider world.
                Forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted, 
                and help us forgive those who have hurt us.
                Give us strength and discipline
                to nurture our relationship with you;
                to care for every part of your creation;
                to foster justice and be in solidarity with those in need;
                to work to end all war, and violence, and discord;
                and to respond joyfully when you call,
                freely giving our selves as you have shown the way.
               We open our hearts to you and your creation
               in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ.  Amen.
 

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD
 

SCRIPTURE

SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION
OFFERING

 

COMMUNION
GREAT THANKSGIVING

Leader 1: Holy and Loving God, we give thanks

                that you have placed us here,

                as stewards of this creation.

 

All:          We are thankful
               for the life and teaching of Jesus,
               faithfully turning again and again
               toward your loving, compassionate way.

 

Leader 2: We are grateful for your Holy Spirit
                lighting new paths
                to welcome love and justice in our time.

 

All:         We are grateful for your church,
              Your body in this world,
              a place to learn to care
              for all of your beloved creation.

 

BLESSING THE ELEMENTS

Leader 1: Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life,
                to drink the cup of the new covenant.

 

Leader 2: Jesus said, I am the bread of life.
                You who come to me shall never hunger,
                You who believe in me shall never thirst.

 

Leader 1:  On the night of his arrest, Jesus took bread,
                 and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,
                This is my body,
                broken for the healing of the world.
                Whenever you eat it, do so remembering me.

 

Leader 2: After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,
                This is the cup of the new covenant,
                poured out for you and for all.
                Whenever you drink it, do so remembering me.

 

SHARE THE ELEMENTS

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
All:           God of abundance and mercy,
                we give joyful thanks
                for your eternal love and healing presence
                in our celebration of bread and cup.
                Bless this body of Christ
                that we may attend faithfully
                to our call to be your servants,
                with each other and throughout the world.
               Amen.

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

BENEDICTION

Leader: Go forth from this place

            listening to that small flower

            growing from the crack in your heart.

            Embrace its light.

            Let the dark places be lit anew

            by the Holy Spirit shining through you.

 

People:   Amen.