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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 107)

L: O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
P: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
L: Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
P: And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
L: Come, let us worship the LORD!

 

Call to Worship  (based on Ephesians 2:1-10)

L: The Church is the community of those called by God.
P: Justified by grace through faith and adopted into the family of God,
L: We are baptized into Christ's death and resurrection!
P: We are members of Christ's body--one Baptism, one Faith, and one Lord.
L: For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
ALL: Come let us worship the Lord!

 

A Prayer of Confession for Lent

O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins which I have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and deed; in body and soul alike. I am sincerely sorry that I have offended you, and I truly repent. I humbly ask you, O Lord: by your great mercy forgive me all my past transgressions and absolve me from them. I firmly resolve, with the help of your Holy Spirit, to amend my way of life with the goal to sin no more; that I may walk in the way of the righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

Prayer for Faith (Numbers 21:4-9)

     O Heavenly Father, the precious faith You give is the root of all our graces, the channel of communion, the weapon of prevalence, the shield of safety, the evidence of eternity and the passport of glory. Grant us O Lord, more of this inestimably precious faith.
     Lord Jesus, grant us that faith which draws energy from splendid ideals and incorporates it in our present and immediate life.
     Blessed Spirit of God, cause our faith to increase in fullness, constancy, and simplicity. Amen.

 

Prayer for Faithfulness Amid Hardship (Numbers 21:4-9)
by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Closing Prayer (John 3:14-21)

O Lord our God, teach us to live in the Spirit and be mindful of all that Jesus endured and sacrificed for our sakes, and how he was made perfect through sufferings.

Enable us to respond to your call for faith and your claim upon our lives.  As we go forth empower us to live as those being born from above, so that our lives may point to the One that is high and lifted up, Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.