CALL TO WORSHIP
Read Psalm 130. This is the word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
COMMUNITY CONFESSION& LENTEN CANDLE READING
Leader: (Reading of Romans 8.6-11) We remember that God chooses to forgive us so we may embrace the new life and new hope offered to us in grace. Together, let us boldly confess what we have done and what we have left undone .
ALL: Generous God, we must confess how we are still bound by our pride and arrogance. We seem unable to throw off the grave clothes of our habitual sin, wearing them too comfortably. We have failed to recognize the sacrifice you have made in sending your Son to us. We cling to the desires of our flesh, rather than following Jesus’ way of love. Forgive us and reorient us to your ways.
Leader: In the depths of darkness and despite our slowness to change, God has only love for us.
(snuff out 5th of the Lenten candles)
ALL: God’s hope, love, and grace are forever. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The Book of Mark: Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Darkness of Justice - Roman Style - and the Adding of Insult to Injury (by Britney Yount)
Mark 15.1-20
*For discussion prompts and lenten resources visit this page.
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S TABLE
Leader: Let us pray to the Lord, who is our refuge and stronghold. For the health and well-being of our nation and world, that all who are fearful and anxious may be at peace and free from worry:
ALL: Lord, graciously hear our prayers.
Leader: For the isolated and housebound, that we may be alert to their needs, and care for them in their vulnerability:
ALL: Lord, graciously hear our prayers.
Leader: For our homes and families, our school communities and young people, and all in any kind of need or distress:
ALL: Lord, graciously hear our prayers.
Leader: For a blessing on our local community, that our neighborhoods may be places of trust and friendship, where all are known and cared for:
ALL: Lord, graciously hear our prayers.
Leader: We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
ALL: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Leader: At your table, Lord, we gather now, feeding us for the days ahead.
ALL: The bread which is broken, not only feeds us, but gives us the compassion to hear the voices of those crying in the wilderness of want, in the deserts of despair, in the forests of fear, in the hollowness of hate. The cup of grace touches us so we will not douse the Spirit, but be a people of compassion, mercy, and justice.
Leader: Together, let us experience the mystery we call faith.
*adapted from: https://www.churchofengland.org
COMMUNITY SINGING
Kyrie Eleison (Leigh Nash)
THE BENEDICTION
Leader: Let us go, creatively, “into” the world with God’s gifts.
ALL: We will carry out God’s works of mercy and life.
Leader: Let us go, creatively, “into” the world with the Bread of heaven in our hands.
ALL: We will share Christ’s grace which gives life to everyone.
Leader: Let us go, creatively, as the one body of faith and fellowship.
ALL: We will to witness to the one Spirit of hope and faith.