Words of Welcome
Acknowledgment of the Land
Lent is a journey we are called to walk. So too is the path to reconciliation with the first peoples of this land.
And so we acknowledge that the land upon which we are worshipping, creating our church home, and making our Lenten walk, is the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We honour their relationship with the land and the creator, as we embrace our common journey toward peace and reconciliation, with God and with each other.
Our Christ Candle is lit. We give thanks for the light of Christ in our life and in the work and worship we do together. If you are at home I invite you to light your own candle to celebrate the light that lives in our world. Let us prepare our hearts and minds for our worship, as we listen to our prelude.
Prelude:
Call to Worship
One: We are called to a life of faith.
All: However we may answer that call, God is listening.
One: We are called to a life of renewal.
All: Whenever we lose our way, God is patient and forgiving.
One: We are called to a life of service.
All: For both our needs and our talents, God inspires and strengthens.
One: We are called to a life of love.
All: God forever loves us and abides with us, as we are and where we are.
*Hymn: O love, how deep, how broad, how high VU348, v 1,2,3,6
Prayer of Approach & The Lord’s Prayer
One: Renewing God, whose glory is above earth and heaven,
All: Abide with us and make your home in our lives.
One: When we struggle or hurt, held down by the suffering of life,
All: Be with us and remind us of your tender love. Console us to feel your concern for us.
One: When we are overwhelmed or adrift, lost in the strain of life,
All: Be with us and remind us of your steadfast love. Guide us to follow your path for us.
One: When we celebrate or triumph, swept up in the jubilation of life,
All: Be with us and remind us of your joyous love. Inspire us to see you at work in the world.
One: In all things and at all times,
All: Let our hearts overflow with praise for all you do.
This we pray in Jesus’ name and, using the words he taught us, we pray:
Our Creator
in heaven
Hallowed be your name
Your kindom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
for yours is the kindom
The power and the glory
Forever and ever
Amen.
Anthem:
Prayer of Confession
One: Gracious and forgiving God, as we journey through Lent, turn our hearts towards you, that we may love you more faithfully and follow you more actively.
We confess before you now that we do not always love others as you ask us to.
All: We offer words in place of action. We are too quick to judge and too slow to accept; too quick to anger and too slow to repent. Lord, have mercy.
One: We confess that we love our own comforts more than we should.
All: We reserve our time and our abilities for our own benefit. We hold back our money and material gifts despite the needs of others. Lord, have mercy.
One: We confess that we struggle to love you with all our heart, mind and soul.
All: We chase our own plans instead of seeking your purpose. We follow other values that pull us away from your word. Lord, have mercy.
One: In the silence of our hearts we make our confession and ask for your forgiveness.
Silence
God, have mercy. Amen.
Sung Response: Kyrie Eleison MV 67
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie elei – Kyrie eleison (sing 2 x)
Assurance of Pardon
One: Have faith. Hold fast. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. God affirms his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. So that in every day, grace reigns for us through our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we can declare:
All: Our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*Hymn: Just as I am, without one plea, VU508
———The Word of God Proclaimed———
Prayer of Illumination
Renewing God,
Be with us today and open our hearts to your love. Inspire us with the hope of your promises to us, and encourage us to see the world through your eyes. Through your word to us today, may we be restored in faith and blessed with peace. Amen.
Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Hebrews 2:14-18
p. ## in the New Testament of your pew bibles
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Head faith or heart faith?
*Hymn: Take my life and let it be, VU506, v 1,2,3,6
———Our Response to God———
Offering:
Offering Hymn: We Give You But Your Own, VU542
Offering Prayer
All: Active and ever-working God,
Stir our hearts that in our living we may show our faith.
Inspire us to give, to feed the hungry in our communities.
Raise us up to serve, to welcome the newcomer and nourish the regular.
And awaken us to love, to heal the hurt and suffering in our world.
Accept this offering as a sign of our faith in your abundant love, and our hope in your eternal grace. Accept our thanks that you strengthen us for the work you call us to, and support us in our times of need and struggle.
Bless us today with your mercy and renew us for the days ahead.
Amen.
Meditative Music
Prayers of the People
For the screen:
One: Loving God, in our time of need:
All: Deepen our faith and strengthen our works.
——————-
God of hope and healing,
We bring before you now our hurts and scars, our desires and dreams, and we ask for your care.
In prayerful faith, we think of those who are lonely. We pray for those who have lost loved ones or are grappling with the failing of a relationship. Assist those who create community and stimulate connection. Guide us to reach out in acceptance and friendship.
One: Loving God, in our time of need:
All: Deepen our faith and strengthen our works.
In prayerful faith, we grieve the damage in our world. We pray for the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and we pray for peace. We pray for an end to the suffering in Palestine and Israel, and we pray for aid. Renew those who work to rebuild and make whole. Guide us to foster harmony and understanding.
One: Loving God, in our time of need:
All: Deepen our faith and strengthen our works.
In prayerful faith, we lament all those who live in fear. We pray for those wrestling with damaging relationships. We pray for those worried about their next pay cheque or meal. Build up those who strive to lessen the struggle of others. Guide us to offer compassion and sanctuary.
One: Loving God, in our time of need:
All: Deepen our faith and strengthen our works.
In prayerful faith, we bring before you all that is on our mind and weighing us down. [pause]
Sustain us on our travels, both near and far. Guide us to follow your path.
One: Loving God, in our time of need:
All: Deepen our faith and strengthen our works.
Sanctify us with your grace and sustain us in your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*Hymn: The King of love my Shepherd is, VU273, v 1,2,6
*Benediction
Go into this new week, renewed to serve and to love and to learn. May God bless your thoughts, your words and your deeds that by your living others may recognize God in you and in the world. And may God nourish your faith that you may know God’s peace through God’s eternal grace. Amen.
Sung Blessing: Love Us Into Fullness MV 81
