____________________________________________________

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 91)

L: You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty
P: I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust
L: Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place
P: No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
L: For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
L: The Lord says: "When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them." Come let us worship the Lord!

 

Call to Worship for Lent

L: Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!
P: God has blessed us, let all the ends of the earth fear God!
L: Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon God while he is near.
P: The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart God will not despise.
L: Let us draw near God and worship at his footstool.

 

Call to worship

L: God of rainbow and promise,
P: God of wilderness wanderings.
L: God of dark nights of doubt.
P: God of comfort and call,
L: Dwell with us this holy season of Lent
P: And lead us from temptation to trust, from fear to love, from despair to hope, from sadness to joy.

 

Invocation

From our God who loves us with an everlasting love, who brings forth a new creation in Christ, who leads us by the Spirit in the wilderness: Grace and abundant mercy be with you all.

And also with you.

Let us pray. Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
 

 

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we come to you in the name of Jesus, your Son and our High Priest. We confess that there are times when we go against your hopes for us as your people.    We confess that there are times when we go against your Word for us.  In silence, O LORD, hear us as we confess those things we have done, and those things we have neglected to do; times when we have failed you and each other. . .

(Time of silence)

Loving God, we ask you once again to receive us into your compassionate, forgiving arms that we might find favor with you for all the days of our lives, now and forevermore.    Amen.

Assurance of Pardon:
L: God loves us and forgives us.  God gives us the chance to begin again.
All: Thanks be to God.  Amen!

 

 

Prayer of Intercession

As we seek in this Lenten time to grow in our faith, let us pray for the life of the world.

That all fertile lands be tended with care, that crops be successfully planted and that the coming growing season might yield abundant harvests and all the bounty needed to feed this hungry world, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That the church be strengthened in its forty-day Lenten journey, be delivered from all temptation and harm, and be found faithful on the day of Christ's coming, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That by grace, those preparing for baptism and those who will affirm their baptisms may confess with their lips that Jesus is Lord, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That those people who lack a home and wander in our modern wilderness might be helped to find a permanent place of welcome, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That those who are ill or in any need (especially) may find comfort and deliverance in the generosity of the Lord of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That this community through Lenten almsgiving might find joy in returning the first fruits of their labors, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That the witness of the faithful departed (especially) may strengthen us in our journey, and that we be joined with them by the power of our baptism into Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Grant these prayers, merciful God, and all that we need, as we eagerly await the Easter feast; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer based on the Gospel Lesson:

Almighty God, your blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.  Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations.  And, as you know the weakness of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer of Dedication
by Rev. Rick Pittenger

It is hard for us when we are in the wilderness with ourselves. We are so hungry and so alone that we see things, we hear things that are not really there. We doubt our abilities and your love. Bring us out of the wilderness filled with compassion for others. Use our gifts to lift them from the depths of despair to the hope of lands flowing with milk and honey. In Christ’s name we pray… -Amen

 

Closing Prayer for Lent

O Lord our God, teach us temperance and self-control, that we may live in the Spirit and be mindful of all that Jesus endured and sacrificed for our sakes, and how he was made perfect through sufferings.
Help us so to keep the fast that you have chosen, that we may loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free; through the grace of Christ Jesus our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

 

Benediction
by Rev. Rick Pittenger

We’re on our way out, for some, it is to a land unknown to us, for others it is to a place known all to well. Give us courage to face the future with hope that dispels weakness and doubt and help us to know of your promise that we will never be alone, even in the wilderness. Amen