FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Prayer
Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation
CALL TO WORSHIP
Glorify God with me, and let us exalt the hallowed name together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
GENEROUS AND FORGIVING PARENT, WE ARE NOT SINLESS LIKE YOUR SON, JESUS OF NAZARETH. WE CONFESS OUR MISDEEDS KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE RECONCILED US TO YOURSELF THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SINLESS ONE WITH US IN OUR SINFULNESS. THOUGH WE ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED YOUR CHILDREN AND DESERVE TO BE TREATED ONLY AS SERVANTS OF EARLIER TIMES, WE COME WITH CONFIDENCE IN YOUR GENEROSITY. IF WE CONTINUE IN SIN, PRESUMING ON YOUR FORGIVENESS, MERCIFULLY WITHHOLD THE JUDGMENT WE HAVE COMING TO US, FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world. The old order has gone, and a new order has already begun. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
Celebrate with God the return of every lost and wandering child who returns to the way and to the family of God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
GRACIOUS PARENT, FILL OUR HEARTS WITH SUCH TRUE APPRECIATION OF YOUR GRACE FROM DAY TO DAY, THAT WE MAY AVOID SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JOIN IN THE JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF THE RECOVERY AND RETURN OF OTHER PRODIGALS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, WHO CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE ALL WHO ARE LOST. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THOUGH WE MIGHT WELL HANG OUR HEADS IN SHAME, HEAVENLY PARENT, WHEN WE REMEMBER WHAT WE HAVE
DONE CONTRARY TO YOUR INSTRUCTION, WE COME WITH JOY AND SHINING FACES, FOR YOU PUT OUR PAST BEHIND US AND LEAD US TO A NEW LIFE OF FREEDOM AND MUTUAL SERVICE. WE WILL BLESS YOUR NAME CONTINUALLY AND TELL OF YOUR GOODNESS TO THE HUMBLE, WHO WILL HEAR AND ALSO BE GLAD. WITH ALL WHO HAVE BEEN FREED FROM BONDAGE WE CELEBRATE THE PASSOVER OF GLADNESS AND THE JOYFUL FEAST OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD. ALL PRAISE BE GIVEN TO YOU, HOLY PARENT, INNOCENT KIN, FAMILY SPIRIT. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
YOU GIVE US MORE THAN WE DESERVE, DIVINE PROVIDER. WHAT WE GIVE IS NOT ALL THAT WE HAVE, BUT WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO OUR SHARE IN THE WORK OF YOUR FAMILY, THE CHURCH. AMEN
PSALM 34:1-8
I will bless the Lord at all times;
HIS PRAISE SHALL EVER BE IN MY MOUTH.
I will glory in the Lord;
LET THE HUMBLE HEAR AND REJOICE.
Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
AND DELIVERED ME OUT OF ALL MY TERROR.
Look upon him and be radiant,
AND LET NOT YOUR FACES BE ASHAMED.
I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles.
THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ENCOMPASSES THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, AND HE WILL DELIVER THEM.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
HAPPY ARE THEY WHO TRUST IN HIM!
Glorify God with me, and let us exalt the hallowed name together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
GENEROUS AND FORGIVING PARENT, WE ARE NOT SINLESS LIKE YOUR SON, JESUS OF NAZARETH. WE CONFESS OUR MISDEEDS KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE RECONCILED US TO YOURSELF THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SINLESS ONE WITH US IN OUR SINFULNESS. THOUGH WE ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED YOUR CHILDREN AND DESERVE TO BE TREATED ONLY AS SERVANTS OF EARLIER TIMES, WE COME WITH CONFIDENCE IN YOUR GENEROSITY. IF WE CONTINUE IN SIN, PRESUMING ON YOUR FORGIVENESS, MERCIFULLY WITHHOLD THE JUDGMENT WE HAVE COMING TO US, FOR THE SAKE OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world. The old order has gone, and a new order has already begun. Friends, believe the Good News! IN JESUS CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
Celebrate with God the return of every lost and wandering child who returns to the way and to the family of God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
GRACIOUS PARENT, FILL OUR HEARTS WITH SUCH TRUE APPRECIATION OF YOUR GRACE FROM DAY TO DAY, THAT WE MAY AVOID SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JOIN IN THE JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF THE RECOVERY AND RETURN OF OTHER PRODIGALS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, WHO CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE ALL WHO ARE LOST. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THOUGH WE MIGHT WELL HANG OUR HEADS IN SHAME, HEAVENLY PARENT, WHEN WE REMEMBER WHAT WE HAVE
DONE CONTRARY TO YOUR INSTRUCTION, WE COME WITH JOY AND SHINING FACES, FOR YOU PUT OUR PAST BEHIND US AND LEAD US TO A NEW LIFE OF FREEDOM AND MUTUAL SERVICE. WE WILL BLESS YOUR NAME CONTINUALLY AND TELL OF YOUR GOODNESS TO THE HUMBLE, WHO WILL HEAR AND ALSO BE GLAD. WITH ALL WHO HAVE BEEN FREED FROM BONDAGE WE CELEBRATE THE PASSOVER OF GLADNESS AND THE JOYFUL FEAST OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD. ALL PRAISE BE GIVEN TO YOU, HOLY PARENT, INNOCENT KIN, FAMILY SPIRIT. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
YOU GIVE US MORE THAN WE DESERVE, DIVINE PROVIDER. WHAT WE GIVE IS NOT ALL THAT WE HAVE, BUT WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO OUR SHARE IN THE WORK OF YOUR FAMILY, THE CHURCH. AMEN
PSALM 34:1-8
I will bless the Lord at all times;
HIS PRAISE SHALL EVER BE IN MY MOUTH.
I will glory in the Lord;
LET THE HUMBLE HEAR AND REJOICE.
Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
AND DELIVERED ME OUT OF ALL MY TERROR.
Look upon him and be radiant,
AND LET NOT YOUR FACES BE ASHAMED.
I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles.
THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ENCOMPASSES THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, AND HE WILL DELIVER THEM.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
HAPPY ARE THEY WHO TRUST IN HIM!
