Invocation
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Good morning, heavenly Father.
We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Good morning, Lord Jesus.
We worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world.
Good morning, Holy Spirit.
We worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.
Opening sentences
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.
Do you seek him with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek him with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Declaration of faith
To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that you are the Holy One of God.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory.
Hebrew Bible reading
Psalm 146 (CSV)
1 Hallelujah!
My soul, praise the Lord.
2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not trust in nobles,
in a son of man, who cannot save.
4 When his breath leaves him,
he returns to the ground;
on that day his plans die.
5 Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and everything in them.
He remains faithful for ever,
7 executing justice for the exploited
and giving food to the hungry.
The Lord frees prisoners.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord raises up those who are oppressed.
The Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord protects resident foreigners
and helps the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The Lord reigns for ever;
Zion, your God reigns for all generations.
Hallelujah!
New Testament Reading
Matthew 9:27-34 (CSV)
Healing the Blind
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David! ’
28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him, and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I can do this? ’
They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’
29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘Let it be done for you according to your faith.’ 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly, ‘Be sure that no one finds out.’ 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that whole area.
Driving Out a Demon
32 Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to him. 33 When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel! ’
34 But the Pharisees said, ‘He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.’
Pause for reflection
Prayer of Confession
God of the liminal places,
you draw us into the quietness of the desert
so that we can encounter ourselves…
But we confess that all too often
we stubbornly cling to false images
rather than face the necessity of change.
You call us into the emptiness of the desert
so that we can confront our desires…
But we confess that all too often
we continue to choose our own comfort
rather than serving the needs of others.
You drive us into the dangers of the desert
so that we can engage with your Kingdom …
But we confess that all too often
we prefer the smooth roads of safety
over the perilous pathways of justice.
Forgive us, O God,
wherever we have chosen to be, or do, or dare
less than you have asked of us;
and as we walk on in the desert with you
help us watch and wrestle with these things
so that we might choose differently in future.
– Pat Bennett, Walking in the Wilderness:
A Communion liturgy for the Season of Lent.
Prayers of Intercession
Today, we are praying for Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden.
We are thankful for:
- the spectacular beauty of the changing landscape of forests, lakes, mountains and glaciers
- churches that are advocating and implementing measures to redress climate change that is dramatic here and throughout the world
- those who have opened their doors and hearts to people migrating to these lands
- the support for justice, peace and interfaith work that comes from these countries.
We pray for:
- the poor and marginalized who struggle in these rich countries
- personal and investment practices that support environmental sustainability
- growing openness to becoming more multi-ethnic, multi-faith societies
- those who are affluent that they will contribute to making the world and their societies more just for all.
- a Church that is prepared to be a voice in the struggle for indigenous people rights.
In our own place in the world, we pray for:
- all whose decisions involve questions of justice, mercy and peace
- federal, state and local politicians
- church leaders, ministers, pastors, teachers, and missionaries
- all the churches of our city or region
- our local congregation and its ministries
- our local communities, businesses, and schools
- the needs of our families and friends
- our personal needs, challenges and opportunities
Pause for reflection
Classic Prayer
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God,
you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day:
Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin
nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit,
we may do what is righteous in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contemporary Prayer
Loving God, we bring to you
those for whom this day
is simply a continuation
of a struggle to survive;
to feed and clothe the family,
pay the rent or mortgage,
keep the kids in school,
stem a rising tide of debt,
search for yet another job.
Be with them in the choices
that must be made today.
Bring light into their darkness
with the help that they so need,
and embrace them in your love.
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13, NIV
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Sending Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray
that we may live this day in your presence
and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, we pray that this day
we may take up our cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, we pray that this day
you will fill us with yourself
and cause your fruit to ripen in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity,
three persons in one God,
have mercy upon us. Amen.
Canticle
Christ, as a light,
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield,
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever he may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
iDigress 