CALL TO WORSHIP
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
For he will rescue you from every trap; he will shelter you under his wings.
His faithful promises are our armor and protection.
—from Ps. 91:1-4
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, today we remember that your Son fasted forty days in the wilderness; he was tempted as we are but did not sin. Give us, we pray, this same grace to order our lives in obedience to your Holy Spirit: Just as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Thank you for this time, Lord.
Thank you for the opportunity to make this journey with you—
to make our way through trial and temptation
and find ourselves at the foot of your cross.
Thank you for this time to think and pray and listen for your wisdom.
Help us to close our ears to calls for easy solutions
that would separate us from our neighbors and from you.
And give us hearts to embrace the troubles of our lives,
strengthened by your word and example.
And when we come to what appears to be the end,
stay with us, reassuring us that the cross is not our home,
but is one more step along the way,
bridging our old lives
with the new life that we find in the Kingdom of God.
In the days ahead, draw us close to you and closer to one another.
Give us minds that dwell on the needs of our neighbors,
and a will to overcome what causes pain
to the life of our community and the life of the world.
And what we cannot do, help us to trust that you can.
To those who suffer, be wholeness and healing.
To those who mourn, be strength and consolation.
To those who wait for death, be the hope of eternal life.
Grant faith to those who doubt, community to the lonely,
strength to the weak.
Give your people the courage to take up the cause of the oppressed,
the hungry, the war-torn, and even the planet itself.
[A siilence is kept.]
[A siilence is kept.]
You came into the world and faced the powers of death
to show us that change is possible.
Transform us, O Lord Jesus, for we pray in your Name. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of mercy,
you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.
We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
—PCUSA
COMMUNION PRAYER
Almighty God, our hope and our refuge, we thank you for our daily bread. And we praise you that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from your mouth. In your law you have spoken us into being, through your prophets you bring us back onto the path when we go astray, and in Jesus Christ, your Word-become-flesh, you bring us into your very presence. As we sit at your table, send your Holy Spirit to settle on these gifts, that his presence may be known and felt among us. And as we receive bread for the journey and the cup of salvation, may we be strengthened to be present for one another and empowered to serve you in the world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BENEDICTION
As we part company this morning,
do not journey without changing—
for that would make you a nomad.
And do not change without journeying—
for that would make you a chameleon.
But journey toward Easter—
and be transformed by your journey—
that you may be a pilgrim making your way to the fullness of life.
Go forth in the Name of God + Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
