In Remembrance of Important Things

A Pastoral Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
(Harrison Morrow)

Sweet and precious God,
Almighty and awesome in glory,
yet so near and so concerned about our hearts,
thank you for knowing and loving us with an everlasting love.

Time and time again, we have messed up and relived the oh-so-common
"if you get me out of this, I will never do it again."
We have attempted to bargain a favor on a promissory note that we make void daily.
But thank you, God, that even though you know we are headed to sin again,
you not only still love us unconditionally,
but you offer us forgiveness, the opportunity to have a clean record, a "get out of jail free" card
that bears the title: new grace AND mercy every morning.

So allow us, Oh God, to not become complacent in our daily journey.
Forgive us for not moving as fast as we should have in the past,
and for not helping someone in need when we could have.

You have given us the spirit of discernment,
but please give us the wisdom to see beyond the transitory things of life
and find you and your sustaining presence, that we may be a blessing to others.
You know the silent cries in our hearts,
we know that you have already met the need,
now God tap into our hearts' true desires.

Touch families, friends, and most importantly our neighbors
because when you are blessing our neighbors,
we know you are in the neighborhood and you are headed to our house.

So thank you for being sovereign in our lives,
giving us the power to speak over our own lives, the lives around us,
and to love one another with the love of Christ.

We will continue to give you glory, honor and praise,
believing that your grace is sufficient enough for us,
and your love endures forever.

It is in the matchless name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.

Jesus Came to Us

A Response to the Word, for John 3:14—17
(Safiyah Fosua)

Leader: At a time when humankind had exhausted its own efforts to know and be known by God, the Word became flesh and lived among us. (John 1:14.) Jesus came to us; God with us, revealing God to us.

People: Jesus came to us, the ultimate act of hospitality.

Leader: Jesus remained with us for a time, in spite of our dull understanding and willful acts against God. He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. He humbled himself and submitted to the humiliation of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8.)

People: Jesus came to us in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice.

Leader: Jesus came to us as the ultimate expression of love.

All: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16 NRSV).

Harrison Alexander Morrow is a Memphis native and a former student of Howard University. He left the midsouth to seek a Bachelor of Business Administration in supply chain management. Harrison also serves as an experienced professional musician. He works diligently to revamp established institutions and revitalize youth by providing organization, direction, and opportunities to serve the community. Harrison is engaged to his best friend, Julissa D. Gearing, future trauma nurse in the United States Air Force.