Call to Worship

Lenten travelers, why are you here?

We gather to do the work of worship.

Lenten travelers, what happens when we gather to worship?

We listen and proclaim. We sing and pray. We repent and encourage.

Lenten travelers, how do we do the work of worship?

We bring all that we are to be present to God and one another.

Lenten travelers, what work does God do in worship?

God raises us up so that we can delight in life together with God and one another.

Lenten travelers, come, let us worship God together!

Come, let us worship God together! Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, October 2023.

Prayer for the Day

Lenten Prayer
(inspired by John 2:13-22)

Holy God, in Jesus Christ you have built for us
an eternal house, a temple of righteousness,
a place of gracious plenty for the hungry
and abundant life for the poor in spirit.
Fill us with zeal for the body of Christ.
Overturn the tables of corruption and greed
and upset the imbalance of injustice,
so that we may worship you in spirit and truth;
through Jesus Christ, who is risen indeed.

Posted on the Presbyterian Church USA website, http://www.pcusa.org/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/02/prayer-for-lent-3-b.html.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Exodus 20, Psalm 19, John 2: 13-22)

With hearts of sorrow,
we come before you, O God,
to confess what you already know—
we have failed to keep your laws.
Again and again,
we have followed our own selfish will,
rather than your holy and life-giving will
for our lives.
We have twisted your decrees and institutions
to suit our preconceptions and interests
rather than your own.
Forgive us, O God,
and cleanse us from hidden faults,
that the words of our mouths,
and the meditations of all our hearts,
may be acceptable to you,
our Rock and our Redeemer.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by Exodus 20: 1-17)

God shows steadfast love
and blesses to the thousandth generation
those who [follow] God’s ways.
In love, God sent Jesus
to bless and redeem God’s people.
God forgives us our sins
and restores us to new life.
Let us rejoice in God’s mercy.

Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press. Posted on the Ministry Matters website. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/02/act-of-confession-lent-3-b.html.

Benediction

Beloved, may Jesus Christ go ahead of you this week, turning over the tables that distract and raising you up to join in the abundant life of the Triune God whose love binds us together as the Body of Christ. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, October 2023.