Faith & Worship

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The Fourth Sunday in Lent

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

Opening Prayer

Into the daily cycle of our lives
when all seems well
with us and with the world
when our yoke is easy
and the burden light
You break in
and scatter our complacency

Into the daily cycle of our lives
when we are comfortable
and at our ease
when the fire is lit
but eyes are closed
You break in
and challenge our dependency

You break into
our daily prayers
humble hearts
lay souls bare
You break in
You break in

You break in
when defences are down
with an Angel's shout
or the quietest sound
You break in
You break in

And we change
and all things change
when you break in

 

A Psalm
(These verses from Psalm 32 are effective when read by three persons, but can equally be shared between two)

 

A - Blessed is he

B - whose transgressions are forgiven,

C - whose sins are covered.

A - Blessed is the man

B - whose sin the LORD does not count against him

C - and in whose spirit is no deceit.

A - When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

B - For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

C - my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

A - Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.

B - I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "

C - and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

 

Confession and Forgiveness

(A moment or two of quiet where we might make our silent confession to God)

‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.’
Romans 4:7

For your embracing love
a Father's love
a Mother's love
The love that sees our failings
and forgives us
The love that sees our joys
and embraces us
The love that knows no ending
or beginning
The love that could die for us
and did
We bless you.
All: WE BLESS YOU

The Lord’s Prayer

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

 

Luke 15:1-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep

 

Jesus, you came that we might have life, and have it abundantly
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You poured living water into lives that were parched and thirsty
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You fed souls that were hungry with the bread of life
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought healing through a touch that knew no prejudice or barrier
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought Salvation through the cross,
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought a means through which mankind could be made right again with its Creator
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You brought comfort to the sorrowing, liberty to the poor
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You accept us as we are, and mould us into the people we were meant to be
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

You enable broken lives and relationships to be made whole again
ALL: Precious Jesus, we offer you our praise and thanks.

 

Affirmation

Almighty God, give us wisdom to perceive you, intellect to understand you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you and life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Benedict, 489-543)

 

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