+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Morning Reading: Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT)
ask and keep on asking
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Morning Prayer
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, the radiant light of the world. You guide me along a well-lit path so that I no longer live in darkness. Welcome me now into your presence, and may your word and Spirit light my way.
+ Christ Jesus, you are my Savior and Lord; may I grow today in your likeness.
+ Take all of me – body, soul and spirit; may your truth shine forth in my actions.
+ Take away my selfish, self-serving inclinations; may your love burn brightly within me.
+ Teach me to work for the good of all, whether the time is right or not.
+ Make your Church a welcome light for the whole human family.
+ May I always treasure your friendship and come to know its depth.
+ Forgive my sins against your wisdom and love; may I follow your lead today.
In your bounty, Lord, give me the Spirit who alone can teach me to think and do what is right, so that I, who without you cannot exist, may live in loving obedience to your will. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Ask Seek Knock” – Eric & Monique
Closing Sentence
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Morning Reading: Mark 1:15 (NLT)
“The time promised by God has come at last!” Jesus announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Morning Reading: Mark 6:7-13 (NLT)
And Jesus called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.
“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Morning Prayer
Blessed be Jesus Christ my Savior. In him I become a new creation, the old order passes and all things are renewed. Renew me in your Spirit, that I may enter your Kingdom and rejoice in you for ever.
+ Fill me to overflowing that I may work to fill the world with your Spirit.
+ Conform my will to yours that I may work for justice, charity and peace.
+ Grant that I may put aside my apathy.
+ Help me to recognize with joy the power you have given me.
+ Set me free from all evil.
+ Show me the things that really matter in the confusion around me.
Renew me, Lord, in your Spirit. Look with favor on my Lenten journey and while I deny my self-interest to follow you, renew my spirit with the grace that prompts me to good works. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“The Kingdom of God” – Taizé
The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.
Closing Sentence
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Morning Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT)
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Morning Reading: Matthew 6:7-15 (NLT)
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Morning Prayer
Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our bread from heaven. Lord, strengthen us.
+ We have sinned, Lord, against you have we sinned; take away our guilt by your saving grace.
+ Give us a share in the bread of the life; fill us with the blessings of your paschal sacrifice.
+ Implant your word of life in our hearts; yield a harvest in us through faith and obedience.
+ Make us eager to fulfill your plan for the world; send us out with the great message of peace.
Look with favor on your family, Lord, during this Lenten season of self-restraint; may our hearts burn with love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Panis Angelicus” – Elina Garanča
Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; Dat panis cœlicus figuris terminum: O res mirabilis! Manducat Dominum pauper, pauper, servus et humilis.
May the Bread of Angels Become bread for mankind; The Bread of Heaven puts All foreshadowings to an end; Oh, thing miraculous! This body of God will nourish the poor, the servile, and the humble.
Closing Sentence
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Morning Reading: Isaiah 58:6-7 (NLT)
“This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
Morning Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT)
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Morning Prayer
Blessed be Jesus, my Savior. Through his life, death and resurrection he has opened up for me the way of eternal life. Direct me, Lord, in this path of life.
+ May I seek you always with all my heart.
+ May I ever grow in your likeness.
+ May I bring joy this day to those around me who are in need.
+ Draw me nearer to you through the help I give others.
+ Help me to do what is right and good.
+ Forgive me for the times I have hurt other people.
+ Forgive me for the times I have failed to preserve the unity of your family.
Lord God, have mercy on me; and direct me in this path of life. Turn my heart back to you, my Savior; form me by your Word and Spirit, so that I may truly profit by my Lenten journey. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“To The Least Of These” – Robert Rice
[This song was written by Robert Rice during a Missions Trip to Haiti.]
Closing Sentence
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The 40-day pilgrimage to Easter that began on Ash Wednesday is just a few days old. I pray that God, who sustained Jesus in his 40 days of temptations and suffering, will support us on our journey also.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Lord our God, you alone do we worship, only your word gives life. Sustain your people on our Lenten journey. When we walk through the desert of temptation, strengthen us to renounce the power of evil. When our faith is tested by doubt, illumine our hearts with Easter’s bright promise. We ask this through Christ, our deliverance and hope, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever.
__________
Hymn: “Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down”
__________
A Reading from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 (NLT)
[Moses summarizes the creed of the chosen people.]
The priest will then take the basket from your hand and set it before the altar of the Lord your God.
“You must then say in the presence of the Lord your God, ‘My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live as a foreigner in Egypt. His family arrived few in number, but in Egypt they became a large and mighty nation. When the Egyptians oppressed and humiliated us by making us their slaves, we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors. He heard our cries and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression. So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and powerful arm, with overwhelming terror, and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey! And now, O Lord, I have brought you the first portion of the harvest you have given me from the ground.’ Then place the produce before the Lord your God, and bow to the ground in worship before him.
__________
“Psalm 91” – Sons of Korah
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High | Will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty | I will say of the Lord: “He is my refuge | My God and my shield in whom I trust”
Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare | And from the deadly pestilence as well | He will cover over you with His feathers | And there under His wings you will find sleep | His faithfulness will be your shield
You’ll not fear the terror of the night time | Nor the arrow that flies by day | Nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness | Nor the plague that destroys at midday
And a thousand may fall at your side | And ten thousand right there at your right hand | But it will not harm you, you will only see | You will only observe when judgment comes
He commands his angels concerning you | To guard you wherever you may go | To be with you and lift you in their hands | So that you won’t strike your foot against a stone
If you make the Most High your dwelling | Even the Lord who is my refuge | Surely no great harm will befall you | No disaster will come there near your home
He commands his angels concerning you | To guard you wherever you may go | To be with you and lift you in their hands | So that you won’t strike your foot against a stone
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra | And trample upon the serpent’s head | You will tread upon the lion and the cobra | And trample upon the serpent’s head
Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him | I will protect him for he knows My name | He will call on Me, and I will answer | I will be with him always and I will honor him | With a long, long, long, long life | I will satisfy him with long life | With a long, long, long, life | I will satisfy him with long life
__________
A Reading from the Letters: Romans 10:8-13 (NLT)
[Paul teaches that faith in Christ’s resurrection is the mark of believers.]
“The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)
[The temptations Jesus endured in the desert are described.]
The Temptation of Christ Ary Scheffer, 1854 Walker Art Gallery Liverpool, UK
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”
Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
__________
Hymn: “I Am Not Alone” – Kari Jobe
__________
Intercessions:
As we continue our Lenten journey, we remember all those in need.
+ For the Church of God throughout the world, as the Lenten pilgrimage continues…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the men and women preparing to be baptized this Easter…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the poor people of the world who will benefit from our Lenten giving…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the downhearted and discouraged who rely on the kindness of friends…. Lord, hear us.
+ For immigrants and refugees and all who seek safety and peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For prisoners, especially young prisoners, that they may be able to rebuild lives of dignity…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who have died, especially through war and violence in the Middle East…. Lord, hear us.
Lord our God, you protect those who put their trust in you, hear our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
Hymn: “I will trust in you” – Lauren Daigle
Benediction:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 