Lent

Today, as we begin the season of Lent, Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we walk with Christ, let go of sinful patterns, and awaken to God’s life and love for us. If we are willing, we become aware that we are a temple for God's presence and our connection to God is more important than anything.

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CANDLE LIGHTING

The candle reminds us that Your Spirit is within us and lights the way. “Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us so there be no darkness in us.”

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SING

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

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PRAYER

Let’s pray this Antiphon Prayer over one another from Psalm 139.

R)   O LORD, YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME AND KNOWN ME! YOU KNOW WHEN I SIT DOWN AND WHEN I RISE UP; YOU DISCERN MY THOUGHTS FROM AFAR.

 

L)   YOU SEARCH OUT MY PATH AND MY LYING DOWN AND ARE ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS.

 

R)   EVEN BEFORE A WORD IS ON MY TONGUE, BEHOLD, O LORD, YOU KNOW IT ALTOGETHER.

 

L)   YOU HEM ME IN, BEHIND AND BEFORE, AND LAY YOUR HAND UPON ME. SUCH KNOWLEDGE IS TOO WONDERFUL FOR ME; IT IS HIGH; I CANNOT ATTAIN IT.

 

ALL)   SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART! TRY ME AND KNOW MY THOUGHTS AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY GRIEVOUS WAY IN ME. LEAD ME IN THE WAY EVERLASTING!

Be seated

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READING
Joel 2:12-13

READER: The word of God for the people of God.

 

Blow the ram’s horn trumpet in Zion!
Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day.
Call a public meeting.
Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation.
Make sure the elders come,
but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies,
Even men and women on their honeymoon—
interrupt them and get them there.
Between sanctuary entrance and altar,
let the priests, God’s servants, weep tears of repentance.
Let them intercede: “Have mercy, God, on your people!

 

ALL: We receive Your Word in our hearts.

 

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(Silent prayers,
reflection & confession.)

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READING
Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

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BLESSING THE DUST

All those days
you felt like dust,
like dirt,
as if all you had to do
was turn your face
toward the wind
and be scattered
to the four corners
or swept away
by the smallest breath
as insubstantial—

did you not know
what the Holy One
can do with dust?

This is the day
we freely say
we are scorched.
This is the hour
we are marked
by what has made it
through the burning.

This is the moment
we ask for the blessing
that lives within
the ancient ashes,
that makes its home
inside the soil of
this sacred earth.

So let us be marked
not for sorrow.
And let us be marked
not for shame.
Let us be marked
not for false humility
or for thinking
we are less
than we are
but for claiming
what God can do
within the dust,
within the dirt,
within the stuff
of which the world
is made
and the stars that blaze
in our bones
and the galaxies that spiral
inside the smudge
we bear.

from: Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

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SIGN OF THE CROSS IN ASHES

“We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies."
- 1 Cor. 15:53 (The Voice)

 

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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

(All pray words in capital letters)

 

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, open and receptive, so that I may embrace the many ways you choose to visit my life.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART cleared of the weight of old battles with others and deadly opposition with myself.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART purified through the daily disruptions and the life encounters that take me beyond my grasping control and ego-centeredness.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART freed from the clutter of cultural enticements, so that I can enjoy the beauty of life’s simple things and relish the gifts I easily take for granted.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, bathed from harsh thoughts, shame, and perfectionistic tendencies, warmly welcoming others with the embrace of non-judgment.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, brushed free of frantic busyness, so that I will have time to dwell with you in the listening space of solitude and silence.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART rinsed of the residue of false messages about my identity, enabling my inner goodness and light to shine through all I am and do.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART cleansed of anxiety and lack of trust, restoring in me an enduring faith in your abiding presence and unconditional love.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART scrubbed of racism and prejudice, drawing me toward all as my sisters and brothers.

ɫ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART washed with your mercy and strengthened by your love, helping me move beyond whatever keeps me from union with you.

 

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART. DUST OFF THE UNMINDFUL ACTIVITY THAT CONSTANTLY COLLECTS THERE.  DE-CLUTTER MY HEART FROM HARSH JUDGMENTS AND NEGATIVITY.  WASH AWAY MY RESISTANCE TO WORKING THROUGH DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIPS.  RINSE OFF MY UN-LOVING SO THE BEAUTY OF MY GENEROUS AND KIND HEART CAN SHINE FORTH.  REMOVE WHATEVER KEEPS ME FROM FOLLOWING IN YOUR COMPASSIONATE FOOTSTEPS.  Amen.*

 

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PRAYER SPACES

Stations of the Cross cards,
palm crosses

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SING

 

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

 

BEAUTIFUL THINGS

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PRAYER

Leader:  **Let us confess all that mars God’s presence within us.

When I insist that my way is the only right way ….

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I believe that only I can save the world and make it better…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I think that only I can run things best…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I cling to feeling sad, alone, and misunderstood…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I store up all I know and all I need, and withdraw inside to watch…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I so rely on outer authority that I lose my inner authority…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I refuse to acknowledge the pain in me and around me…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I compete for power and control…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

When I am too numb to experience my life: either too asleep or to into procrastinating about what is essential…

ALL:  IT IS THEN I BREAK PEACE; LORD, HELP ME TO MAKE PEACE.

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CLOSING

Go with the grace of God’s love and forgiveness. Continue to move toward God’s will and purpose. Let God lead you in the everlasting way. Amen

ALL:  WE STAND AT THE CROSSROADS AND LOOK; WE ASK FOR THE ANCIENT PATHS, WE ASK WHERE THE GOOD WAY IS, AND CHOOSE TO WALK IN IT, AND BELIEVE YOUR PROMISE THAT WE WILL FIND REST FOR OUR SOULS.

 

Go in peace

(Leave in silence and reflection.)

 

 

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LENT Resources

Pastors Clare & Scott's Lenten Blog Posts: subscribe to the Lent blog series available Mondays-Fridays during Lent

[LIVE] Daily Prayer on Facebook: Join our pastors on the "Crossroads Church and Ministries" Facebook page Mondays @ Noon and Tuesdays-Fridays @ 5PM for a daily prayer time.

A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants: pray/read along in this book with the Crossroads Church family wherever you are each day.

Season of Returning, blog post about Lent by Ruth Haley Barton

Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram, book by Loughrige & Calhoun

9 ways to Pray	Practice	Fast ***
Powerful prayers	Waiting	Fast lust
Peaceful prayers	Participate	Fast sloth
Good prayers	Admit I’m wrong	Fast anger
Loving prayers	Forgive	Fast pride
Effective prayers	Follow	Fast self-deception
Original prayers	Remember	Fast envy
Wise prayers	Presence of People	Fast greed
Faithful prayers	Risk trusting	Fast fear
Joyful prayers	Weep	Fast gluttony

 

Service Sources:

*Joyce Rupp, “Out of the Ordinary”, Lent.

**Adapted from ©AACalhoun

*** Inspired by “Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram”, Calhoun/Loughrige.