Light Your Candle/Ring Singing Bowl

We begin by creating a holy space.  We light a candle to recognize the light of Christ, present with us during worship.  We ring a singing bowl or bell to give us time to breathe and fully arrive, and to remind us to listen for God’s voice speaking to us during this holy time.

Confession and Forgiveness

Loving Father,
all the fancy words
in the world,
expressed in eloquent prose,
decorated with emotion,
spoken with conviction,
cannot compete with a heartfelt
‘sorry’
when all other words fail.
There are times
when we are all too aware
of our limitations,
conscious of sin,
and the distance it creates between us.
Sometimes ‘sorry’
is all the heart can bear to say aloud.
It is only you
who can read and understand
the language of our hearts,
only you who can translate our ‘sorry’
into the prayer we would have prayed,
if we had the words within us.
Then you forgive,
and having forgiven
surround us in an embrace of love,
drawing us close to your heart,
as it was always meant to be.
Thank you, Loving Father,
that you listen to hearts,
as well as voices
Thank you.  Amen.

written by John Birch, posted on Faith and Worship website. http://www.faithandworship.com/

Gathering Song:  I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Prayer of the Day & Readings

Find the Prayer of the Day and Sunday Readings here:  https://www.dailylectio.net

Psalm Song:  Changes Each Week

Gospel:  Changes Each Week

Questions for Discussion

You can use these questions to discuss the Bible story with those in your household, with your study group, or on your own in a journal.

ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions
1.  What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? What do I have questions about?
2.  What delights or comforts me in this text?  What is my favorite part, and why?
3.  What stories or memories does this text stir up in me?  What does it remind me of?  How does this story connect to the story of my life?
4.  What is God up to in this text?  What is this living Word calling me to do or to be?

Song of the Day:  Changes Each Week

Apostles’ Creed

Prayers of the People:  Prayer of Intercession for Lent  

(inspired by Psalm 145: 14)
The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 
                                 
God of love
hear the cry of those who yearn for love;
fractured families, broken homes
neglected, unwanted, alone.
God of love hear our prayer

God of justice
hear the cry of those who yearn for justice;
persecuted and oppressed,
exploited, ill-treated, broken.
God of justice hear our prayer

God of peace
hear the cry of those who yearn for peace;
in battle zones and broken states,
frightened, fearful, anxious
God of peace hear our prayer

God of healing
hear the cry of those who yearn for healing;
physical and spiritual
hurting, weakened, depressed
God of healing hear our prayer

God of mercy
Hear the cry of those who yearn for mercy;
convicted, in need of your Grace,
contrite, humble, bowed down,
God of mercy hear our prayer

— written by John Birch, and posted on http://www.faithandworship.com/

The Lord’s Prayer

Offering

This year’s Lenten challenge is to participate in Warm Up America, a non-profit which makes and distributes blankets, scarves, and hats to distribute to anyone in need.  Learn more about this project for knitters and crocheters here:  https://warmupamerica.org/make/box-of-500/

Offering Prayer

God of the wilderness,
We give these offerings in gratitude,
rejoicing in the abundance of your gifts to us.
We give these offerings in faith,
trusting that you will provide for our needs.
We give these offerings in hope,
knowing you can use them to spread your love in this world.
And with these offerings, we give ourselves;
May we live with generous hearts, with open hands. Amen.

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith blog. http://spaciousfaith.com/

Sending Song:  I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

Blessing/Extinguish Candles

May you know
The peace of God
The love of God
The justice of God
The healing and mercy of God
This day and all days
Amen

— written by John Birch, and posted on http://www.faithandworship.com/

Sending:  God, You Are Calling

Gentle and patient, God, you are calling.
Careful and persistent, God, you are calling.
In grieving and in praise, God, you are calling.
Through dawn and midday, God, you are calling.
Unexpected and planned, God, you are calling.
In a still small voice and in power, God, you are calling.
Spontaneous and prepared, God, you are calling.
Willing or protected, God, you are calling.

Our God is eager to share with us,
wherever we are in our journey.
May we be diligent to listen.
God, you are calling.

Go in peace, called to journey with Christ.
Thanks be to God!

~ written by Joanie Thurman Williams, and posted on Consider Your Call. http://www.consideryourcall.org/sites/default/files/CYC-Media/Toolbox/Materials/Worship-Toolbox.pdf

Postlude:  Reawaken Hymns Lent Playlist

This resource is provided by Rev. Breen Marie Sipes, ELCA.  Feel free to use this resource, but please give credit where credit is due.