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Invitation to Worship
Come let us return to Adonai, Our God–
Our God who is gracious and merciful.
We make the Sign of the Cross over our lips as we begin.
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice is a contrite spirit,
~ A humbled, contrite heart, you will not reject.
MORNING HYMN for 2nd Saturday of LENT
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn for Lent.
Dear Abba, we have wandered and hidden from your face;
In foolishness have squandered Your legacy of grace.
But now, in exile dwelling, We rise with fear and shame,
As distant but compelling, We hear you call our name.
And now at length discerning The evil that we do,
Behold us God, returning With hope and trust in you.
In haste you come to meet us And home rejoicing bring,
In gladness there to greet us With calf and robe and ring.
O Love of all the living, Both banished and restored,
Compassionate, forgiving And ever-caring Lord,
Grant now that our transgressing, Our faithlessness may cease.
Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon and in peace.
Text: Kevin Nichols (ICEL 1980) ; Tune: PASSION CHORALE 76.76. D.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
I will arise–and return to my Abba.
Psalm 101/102
Adonai, listen to my prayer
and let my cry for help reach you.
Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Turn you ear towards me
and answer quickly when I call.
For my days are vanishing like smoke,
my bones burn away like fire.
My heart is withered like the grass.
I forget to eat my bread.
I cry with all my strength
and my skin clings to my bones.
I am like a pelican in the wilderness,
like an owl in desolate places.
I lie awake and I moan
like some lonely bird on a roof.
All day long my foes revile me;
those who hate me use my name as a curse.
The bread I eat is ashes;
my drink is mingled with tears.
In what seems Adonai like anger and fury,
I have been lifted up and thrown down.
My days are like a passing shadow
and I wither away like the grass.
But you, Adonai, will endure forever
and your Name from age to age.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion:
for this is the time to have mercy;
yes, the appointed time has come
for your servants love her very stones.
The nations shall fear your Name, Adonai
and all earth’s rulers your glory,
when you build up Zion again
and appear in all your glory.
Then you will turn to the prayers of the helpless;
and will not ignore their pleas.
Glory to the One and to the Word,
and to the Breath of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
I will arise — and return to my Abba.
READING Micah 7: 18-20
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of this inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our ancestors from days of old.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. Give thanks to Adonai tell the Name; *make known God’s deeds among the peoples. V. God remembers the covenant forever, the oath that was sworn to Abraham *make known God’s deeds among the peoples. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
Dress him in the finest robe;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To Guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Dress him in the finest robe;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Intercessory Prayer
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is breaking the chains of evil and untying the bonds of injustice; ~Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is freeing the oppressed and welcoming the poor into our homes; ~Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is clothing the persons we find naked and not despising our neighbors; ~Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is sharing food with the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and welcoming immigrants and strangers; ~Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
The fast that you desire, Adonai, is caring for those who are sick or injured and visiting those who are in prison; ~Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
God of all Compassion, how easily we demand what is ours and yet leave your side for a place far away where we can do as we please. We are arrogant in self-righteousness and too proud to admit we have sinned. Unless you strengthen our spirits and create our hearts anew, we cannot make the journey home. Guide us to your welcoming arms; to the music and the dancing, for we are easily lost, and only you can find us.
May the God whose arms are always extended to welcome us + bless us with compassion for all our sisters and brothers. ~Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace.
~And give thanks to God.