Call to Worship (Based on Joel 2:1, 12-17)

Leader:  Blow the trumpet in Zion! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,

People:  For the day of the Lord is coming, it is near.

Leader:  Yet even now, says God, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.

People:  Return to the Lord, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and God restrains from punishing.

Leader:  Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; gather the people –   the congregation, the aged, the children, even infants at the breast.

People:  Between the vestibule and the altar let the ministers of the Lord weep.

Leader:  Why should it be said among the peoples, “Where is their God?”

People:  For God is ever-present and loves his children.

All:  Return to the Lord! May God guide our worship this day.

 

Psalm: Psalm 91:1-16

 

Invocation Prayer

Our Father God, we pray earnestly and expectantly that you will fill our hearts and this place with your presence. Teach us the way of the cross. It is a difficult life, but we trust that it is the only true life worthy of your mission. Teach us the words of Jesus and shape our lives by them. Teach us the deeds of Jesus and form us by them. We are eager and ready to hear the gospel and praise your holy name. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

Old Testament Scripture Lesson: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

 

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, in this season of penitence, prayer, fasting and reflection on the ministry of Jesus, we confess our desperate need for your grace. The sorrow from our sins is overwhelming. We have not loved you with all of our heart, soul and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as we have loved ourselves. We have lived lives of greed and consumption while others have gone without. Forgive us, O Lord. Have mercy on us. Raise us anew so that we may learn to love you and our neighbors according to the gospel of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

 

Words of Assurance: Here the Good News of the gospel: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to   condemn the world, but in order that the world   might be saved through him.” In Jesus, your sins are forgiven.

 

New Testament Scripture Lesson: Romans 10:1-13

 

Litany

Leader:  The season of Lent calls us to reflection and repentance.

People:  We are always in need of reflection and repentance!

Leader:  Let us use this time to do what we have often neglected.

People:  We will use this season well for our spiritual growth.

Leader:  The Scriptures show us the path God has given us.

People:  We will take time to read the Scriptures more often.

Leader:  It is in prayer that we draw closer to God.

People:  We will pray more and take time to listen to God.

Leader:  It is in sacrifice that we find out what is really important.

People:  We will make do with less so that others may have more.

Leader:  It is in our deeds that our faith becomes alive.

People:  We will do acts of kindness and care more for others.

Leader:  To follow Jesus is our true calling.

People:  We will stay closer to Jesus so we can follow more faithfully.

Leader:  It is in turning from sin that we turn towards God.

People:  We will repent; we will turn our lives around.

Leader:  May God bless your good intentions.

People:  May God bring our intentions to fulfillment.

 

Gospel Scripture Lesson: Luke 4:1-13

 

Prayer

In the season of pilgrimage, we walk the path of repentance, O God. We do not care for those in need like we might; we do not find our way beyond the familiar. Yet, we can pray. We pray for creation that groans with overpopulation and pollution. We pray for humanity so that we might use precious resources wisely and well, giving back to the earth. We pray for those who live in dire circumstances, who die from diseases we can’t imagine in this country. We pray for those who are persecuted for their beliefs and those who wage war to perpetuate their causes. We pray for the sick, the lonely and the suffering. As we walk this path, O God, may we learn how to pray our way forward into a world of new beginnings and justice for all. Amen.