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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.
O purify me, then I shall be clean.
~O wash me, I shall be brighter than snow.
MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn for Lent.
God is my strong salvation: What foe have I to fear?
In darkness and temptation, My Light, my Help is near:
Though hosts encamp about me, for justice will I stand;
What terror can confound me, With God at my right hand?
Place on our God reliance; My soul, with courage wait;
God’s truth be your affiance When faint and desolate.
God’s might your heart shall strengthen, God’s love your joy increase;
God’s grace your days will lengthen, And God will give you peace. Amen
Text: Psalm 26/27 J. Montgomery (1771-1854), alt. ; Tune: WEDLOCK 76.76.D The Sacred Harp
PSALMODY
Antiphon
By patience we share in the suffering of Christ
and so become partakers in the reign of heaven.
Psalm 118/119: 145-160
My heart begs you, Adonai:
hear me, so I can keep faith.
I beg you, make me free,
so I can live your laws.
I face you in the cold of night
praying, waiting for your word.
I keep watch through the night,
repeating what you promise.
Hear me, loving God,
let your justice make me live.
The wicked close in on me;
to them your law is foreign.
But you, Adonai, are closer still,
your law is my whole truth,
studied since my youth,
fixed for all time.
See how I suffer! Free me!
I have not forgotten you.
Take my side, defend me,
give me the life you promised.
The wicked are not safe,
for they spurn your word.
Adonai, of great mercy
let your word be my life.
Enemies hunt me down
yet I will not waver.
Traitors turn my stomach
when they break your word.
But I love your precepts, Adonai,
let me live in your love.
Truth is the heart of your word,
every judgment stands forever.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love;
As always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
By patience we share in the suffering of Christ
and so become partakers in the reign of heaven.
READING Isaiah 52: 13-15
Behold, my servant shall prosper; shall be raised high and greatly exalted.
Even as many were amazed to see him–so marred was his appearance beyond that of mortals–So he shall startle many nations, because of him monarchs shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. Save my life from the jaws of these lions! V. Against me they open wide their jaws, like lions, rending and roaring. V. O Adonai, do not leave me alone, my strength, make haste to help me. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Holy Breath of Love.
Gospel Canticle
Antiphon
Many of the people, after the raising of Lazarus,
seeing Jesus’ signs, believed in him.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free R
aising 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 I
s 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.
Many of the people, after the raising of Lazarus,
seeing Jesus’ signs, believed in him.
Intercessory Prayer
With the tax collector at the back of the Temple, we pray: ~ Be merciful to me a sinner!
Like the woman who lost her coin, you work diligently to find those who are lost; ~ Be merciful to me a sinner!
Like the Shepherd who leaves 99 to find the one missing, you are ready to carry us home on your shoulders; ~ Be merciful to me a sinner!
Like the Father moved with compassion, you run to greet your prodigals with kiss and calf, robe and ring; ~ Be merciful to me a sinner!
Create in us clean hearts, O God; ~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
God of mercy and forgiveness, our self-righteous arrogance is so quick to tally our praying, fasting and almsgiving while we stand in judgment and condemn the rest of humankind. Help us to know in the depths of our hearts that it is mercy and compassion that you desire and that it would be better for us to cease all our Lenten practices if they do not rehearse us in loving our neighbor as we hope to be loving you–for you live and reign in the power of compassion and unconditional love now and forever. Amen.
May the God whose arms are always extended to welcome us + bless us with self-awareness and compassion for all our sisters and brothers. ~Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.