Faith & Worship

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The Third Sunday in Lent

(Use all or part, add hymns, readings etc as you see fit)

Opening Prayer

God of light and God of night
Creator of seed and mountain
raindrop and fountain
We bring our offering of praise.
God of right and God of might
Lover of child and childless
rich and homeless
We bring our offering of praise

 

A Psalm

(These verses from Psalm 63 are effective when read by three persons, but can equally be shared between two)

A - O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;

B - my soul thirsts for you,

C - my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

A - I have seen you in the sanctuary

B - and beheld your power

C - and your glory.

A - Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

B - I will praise you as long as I live,

C - and in your name I will lift up my hands.

A - My soul will be satisfied

B - as with the richest of foods;

C - with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

A - On my bed I remember you;

B - I think of you through the watches of the night.

C - Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

 

Confession and Forgiveness

Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude,
the spiritual blindness that prevents us
from appreciating the wonder that is this world,
the endless cycle of nature,
of life and death and rebirth.
Forgive us for taking without giving
reaping without sowing.
Open our eyes to see
our lips to praise
our hands to share.
May our feet touch lightly on the path we tread,
and our footsteps be worthy of following,
for they lead to you.

‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin ….’
2 Chronicles 7:14

 

The Lord’s Prayer

We say together the words of the Lord's Prayer.
All: Our Father…

Reading - Luke 13:1-8

 

If we had a fraction of the faith in you that you have in us
ALL - Then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we showed a fraction of the love that you show to us
ALL - Then this world would be transformed, Lord

If we possessed a fraction of the patience that you display with us
ALL - Then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we shared just a portion of the blessings that we have received from you
ALL - Then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we showed as much trust in others as you have shown in us
ALL - Then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we claimed just a fraction of the power you promised to your Church
ALL - Then this world would be transformed, Lord.

Transform us first, Lord, that we might transform this world
ALL - Through your love and your power.

 

Affirmation

You call us to service;
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this your world.
To open our eyes not only
to the beauty and love which you create,
but the injustice,
hate and suffering that mankind generates.
To open our ears not only
to the chattering of this coming week,
but the searching,
fears and questioning of all whom we shall meet.
To open our hands not only
to those we choose our lives to share,
but in welcome,
love and fellowship to all who you draw near.
To open our mouths not only
to speak platitudes and simple words,
but the truths you lay upon our hearts.
Your Word for this your world.
You call us to service,
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this your world

 

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