Call to Worship and Prayer for Lent 1B

Leader: To Noah, God said: "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9:12-13, NRSV)

People: Blessed be the name of the Lord, who keeps covenant with us.

Leader: To Abraham, God said: "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. (Genesis 17:4, NRSV)

People: Blessed be the name of the Lord, who keeps covenant with us.

Leader: To us, God gives a covenant. Jesus said: "For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28, NRSV)

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," (Hebrews 10:16, NRSV)

People: Blessed be the name of the Lord, who keeps covenant with us.

All: Blessed be the name of the Lord, who keeps covenant with us. God, help us, in return, to keep our covenant with you. Amen.

And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. (Mark 1:10, NRSV)

O God,
Let us see the heavens torn open,
Signaling an end to separation
Between us and you.

Let us feel the cool breeze of blessing
The warmth of your acknowledging smile
The shalom that comes from knowing
That we are yours.

Let us see the heavens torn
Veil rent
Walls shattered
Demons subdued.

Let us be aware of our own nakedness
And tremble as we weep
In repentance for our sins

As we begin this Lenten journey,

May we see the heavens torn open above our heads
And remember
That you
Are God!