Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Lent IV
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Call to Worship (from Psalm 32)
One: We gather to rejoice in God’s forgiving love,
Many: for holy and steadfast love surrounds us!
One: We offer our morning worship to the Holy One,
Many: who is a hiding place for us.
One: Together, let us be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
Many: for God wraps round us with glad cries of deliverance!
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, in the midst of our Lenten introspection, even as we acknowledge our brokenness, we rejoice because you do not leave us comfortless. Thank you for the ways you teach us, counsel us, and provide your steadfast love to us and to all your created world. In this hour, guide us both to confession and to gratitude even in the midst of distress. With the Psalmist and with the father and his sons, may we experience your protective care. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
When we hear Jesus’ parable of the Father and his two sons, we may think we know all there is to know of this familiar story. However, today I want us to consider where we find ourselves in this specific
story.
Sharron Blezard suggests “… in my experience it is often those who have the least who approach life and stewardship from a mindset of abundance, while those who have been blessed with myriad gifts and resources are often the most miserly and miserable.” (Source here.)
What about you? Are you a “half full” or a “half empty” person? Do you operate out of a sense of “there’s enough for all”? Or is it frightening to consider you might not have enough even for this day?
The Papa of Luke 15 was willing to give his son’s inheritance to him, despite the expectation there would be an inheritance after his father died.
Meanwhile, the “obedient” older son simmered in silence until that profligate brother re-appeared. Not only was he welcomed back, but the celebration was HUGE!
What happens if you try to step into the father’s shoes?
How joyful the bash, celebrating the return of his son!
Can you imagine pouring your joy out, surrounded by friends and family?
Today’s our chance to step into the image of the father – cheering out loud, and living in abundance, for “this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found!”
So let us celebrate as we offer our tithes, our gifts, and our offerings.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of grace, it’s tough sometimes to accept your abundant and ever-ready willingness to forgive.
Today some of us are older brothers.
Help us thank you for the ways you reach out to us.
Today some of us are repentant younger sibs.
Still you are inviting us to return home;
to be a well-loved part of the world you’ve designed.
Thank you for being the passionate Papa, celebrating as we come together, rejoicing as we present our gifts. Please use them and use each one of us to continue making your grace known in this world of profligates and prudes. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
This Table includes so many facets of the Christian life.
Today, let’s remember the passion of a Papa who so loved
his children he RAN to meet his younger son.
Then, remember how he invited friends and family to come share in the celebration, only to leave the party to plead with his pouting older son.
It’s THIS God whose Son we remember when we come to this Table.
In the gifts of bread and cup we call to mind that upper room, the gathered
disciples, and Jesus’ plea: “Do this in remembrance of me.”
You are surrounded by those who seek to model life on the life of Jesus Christ. Here we are nourished for the work which calls us: to love each and all as brothers and sisters, beloved children of Love, made clear in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Come! “Do this in remembrance.”
(Consider CH#403 “In Remembrance of Me” as your communion hymn.)