Change Mah Name: 21st Century Africana Worship Resources for the Second Sunday in Lent, Year B

(Background music: the spiritual, "Changed Mah Name." You may watch Jennifer Bynum's performance of this spiritual on YouTube or an mp3 of Roberta Flack's version may be purchased from Amazon)

Soloist sings first verse of "Changed Mah Name" (I Told Jesus)

Leader (Music continues in background):
What is your name?
People: Sarai…
Oh no, my sister, your name is not Sarai anymore -- it's SARAH!

(Pause while music and soloist continue)

What is your name?
People: Abram? No, Abraham!
People: Jacob?
No, Israel!
People: Simon?
No, Petros!

Soloist repeats refrain of "I Told Jesus"

Leader (Music continues in background):
What is your name?

(Several people from the congregation say their names) __________________!
__________________!
__________________!
__________________!

Soloist repeats refrain of "I Told Jesus"

Leader (Music continues in background):
What is your name?
(Everyone, say your name!)

Leader: It does not matter if your name is Mona, Joanna or Maria, Sebastian, Steven or Juan. It does not matter if you use a nickname or an alias -- or even if other people try to name you. What matters is that you are known and named by God. When God changed Abram's name, he began the transformation from lonely wanderer to person of God. When Jesus changed Simon's name, he was gradually transformed from sinner into saint. The same God that changed them invites each of us into a Lenten journey of change.

People: Today, we tell Jesus it would be all right if he changed our names. Change us, O God, from sinners into saints. Change us, O God, from lonely wanderers into children of God. Today, I tell Jesus it would be all right if he changes my name. Soloist finishes "I Told Jesus"

Pick Up Your Cross and Follow Me
(Based on Mark 8:31-38)

Leader: Jesus said: "Pick up your cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34)

People: What does it mean to carry a cross?

Leader: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it." Your way is the road less traveled. (Matthew 7:13)

People: How shall we carry this cross?

Leader: Jesus said: "go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor… then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21)

People: We are called to love one another and to be willing to give something of ourselves to others.

Leader: It takes strength to carry a cross; more than we have, sometimes more than we want.

People: God of Mercy, give us the strength to walk in your way, to carry the cross, to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.