Lenten Hopes
Church Programs
WHO ME? DO A PROGRAM?
Program Resources For Congregational Events
Leader's Helps
"Lenten Hopes: A Celebration of Lenten Disciplines" is a program designed especially for Lent. It may be used as a mid-week Lenten service, a women's program, a youth worship service, or a worship alternative on Sunday morning or evening.
This program involves a reflector and seven readers. The prayers are read by all the congregation gathered. After each prayer, a candle is lighted. Candles may be purple for the Lenten season and placed across the front of the audience. The hymns used reflect the Lenten topics and are taken from the Lutheran Book Of Worship.
The program is introduced with the celebration of Lent by the church. Topics covered by the meditations are fasting, special commitments, almsgiving, the study of the Word, prayer, and the cost of salvation. An offering and prayers may be added following the program if desired.
Program
A Celebration Of Lenten Disciplines
Opening Hymn: "O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 1: The Celebration Of Lent
Reflector: On Ash Wednesday the Christian Church enters the season celebrated as Lent. Derived from the Middle English word "lente" meaning "spring time," Lent is a 40-day period of anticipation. Traditionally a time of repentance and renewal, the observance of Lent and its emphasis on penitential practices has evolved over the centuries. In the early church, candidates were prepared for Easter baptism during this time. Public penance for sins, once rigidly stressed, gradually gave way to a period of private penance. Christians took on Lenten obligations such as abstinence from meat and other foods and not attending festivities. The passage of time also saw these practices become less rigid with today's emphasis of Lent as a time for meditation and reflection on Easter's meaning.
For the Christian, the Easter celebration is enhanced by individual Lenten preparation. Through the exercise of Lenten disciplines, the Christian is made more aware of how Christ chose to give himself for us completely. Many outside the church and within see this as a gloomy time when pressure is brought to give up a favorite food or a comfortable habit or to attend worship more frequently. Christians should see this time as what it is meant to be: a time of celebration! Join us tonight as we journey, "celebrating" Lent by drawing closer to the one it centers on: Jesus Christ and his walk to Calvary and his glorious resurrection. May the words of the Apostle Paul guide us as we begin our celebration.
Reader: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). Let us pray.
All: Lord, as we enter this time of Lent, help us to celebrate the newness of life you offer the world. Bring springtime out of the winters of our discontented souls. Bring renewal out of our repentance. Breathe new freshness into our stale spirits, and help us to rejoice in the gift of eternal life obtained in Jesus Christ, your Son. In his name, Amen.
(Light Candle 1)
Hymn: "In The Hour Of Trial" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 2: The Discipline Of Fasting
Reader: The Scripture for our second Lenten meditation, The Discipline Of Fasting, is from 1 Corinthians 6:19. Saint Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the
Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?"
Reflector: When I think of Lent, I visualize a chocolate eclair, filled with gooey cream and topped with lots of thick icing. However, I do not indulge in many of these delicious confectioneries for I know what they will do to my caloric intake for the day. Many of us can handle giving up certain foods or drinks during the 40-day period of Lent. We enjoy the benefits accompanying that denial the loss of a few pounds. However, we need to examine the spiritual benefit of this practice that many participate in.
Lenten fasting takes on special meaning for Christians as they cleanse the body, mind, and soul. Fasting imposes self-discipline which many of us lack. It encourages meditation and reflection. The discipline of fasting takes on a variety of forms. It could be giving up one big meal a week and donating the money to world hunger or a favorite charity. It might mean choosing simpler, more healthy meals. Some people abstain from a favorite food or drink (meat, wine, desserts, and so forth). Others eliminate wasteful habits and expensive excesses. Saint Paul reminds us in our second reading that we are "temples" of God's Spirit. We are to glorify God with our bodies. However, we also need to have the right attitude when we fast so it does not become a salvation work. It is through God's grace that we are saved, not our works. The real benefit in Lenten fasting is that it helps us to recall Christ's suffering and his death to redeem humanity. Faith in Jesus, not our self-denial, should be our focus. We can boast about being able to abstain from between-meal snacks or sweets, but Christ's work upon the cross is his alone to be glorified.
This Lent practice fasting with the right attitude. We should think of ourselves as that chocolate eclair being emptied of that creamy filling. As an empty vessel, God can then fill us with more and more of his Spirit so that we can truly glorify God with our bodies and fasting. Let us pray.
All: Lord, we ask you to help us this Lent to focus in on you and not on our works. Help us to remember to boast only in you and what you have done and are doing in our lives. We praise you for the gift of self-discipline in our Lenten practices. Help us to be true temples for your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Through Christ we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 2)
Hymn: "Take My Life, That I May Be" (vv. 1, 5)
Lenten Meditation 3: Special Commitments
Reader: As an introduction to our third Lenten meditation on Special Commitments, I read from Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act."
Reflector: Have you browsed around the local book store lately? The next time you are in the mall, notice how many books there are in the self-improvement section. Our society is committed to improving itself and has directed us to channeling our energies in a variety of ways, all involving commitment of one sort or another. Lent is a time of special commitments that involve giving up or taking on something for a greater good. It is a time for improving the self according to the direction God moves the heart of the individual. Special Lenten commitments can be very positive acts with long-reaching benefits.
The psalmist in our reading exhorts the believer to commit one's way to the Lord. This is an intentional, positive act which benefits not only the individual, but others. It calls us to make deliberate choices in our walk of faith. In the area of discipline, it may call us to watch less television and read our Bible more. It may cause us to pass by McDonald's and place the money we save into a jar labeled "World Hunger." It may call us to attend mid-week Lenten worship with our family instead of staying at home vegetating because we are just burned out. Lent presents the opportunity to make such commitments. These may come through the church or outside of it. Visiting a shut-in neighbor or a nursing home resident is a commitment of time and energy, but the blessings are twofold. Inviting a friend who rarely gets out of the house to lunch witnesses to the love and fellowship Christ calls us to share with others. When we commit our acts to the Lord, God does bless them and us. Take time to make this a practice, consecrating all you do to God. Be available for God. Be intentional about your actions. Your commitment to Christ will impact others. Intentional, positive acts done under the direction of the Holy Spirit affect both the giver and the recipient. Trust in God to direct and follow through in your commitments. Let God do the improving in your heart as the Lord channels you in the direction the Spirit chooses. Let us pray.
All: Dear Lord, we commit our ways unto you. Help us reach out beyond ourselves and trust in you to be with us. May the commitments we make in our Lenten journey bring renewal to our spirits and benefit others. We trust in you and delight in this hope. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(Light Candle 3)
Hymn: "We Give Thee But Thine Own" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 4: Almsgiving
Reader: As an introduction to our fourth meditation on Almsgiving, we read from Luke 21:1-2: "He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins."
Reflector: "Almsgiving" is a strange word to us today. Old Testament readings do not mention this practice of the duty of giving to the poor. This practice came about as the number of extremely poor people rose in Jesus' time. Over the centuries, this practice has certainly changed. Today we have a welfare system run by the government and not the church. Yet we do give to help others as we pass our collection plate at worship, turning our envelopes up so all will see or down so no one will know.
Giving in Christ's time was not the private affair of today's time. In fact, then great displays could be made if one wanted to flaunt one's giving before others. Placed in the Temple were horns which received the coins of the giver. Those wishing to make a public display of their stewardship tossed their money in with great zeal, causing the trumpets to echo with the clanging of their "tithe." Yet we see in our reading a stark contrast between two givers. One gives with pride while the other gives discreetly, quietly placing her two small coins into the treasury. A third party, however, observes this action. Jesus looks upon the scene. The rich should have been practicing the principle of almsgiving by presenting their offering not to the treasury but to the widow in their presence. Her need must have been obvious in comparison to their abundance. Yet they did not have eyes to see. Christ calls us to see that it is not the amount given to God that counts, but the attitude in which the offering is made. The rich gave out of their abundance and were proud of their contributions. The widow, whom they should have been helping, gave out of her poverty and put in all she had. Hers was a true offering; theirs a donation.
As we make special offerings this Lent, let us make sure that we give with Christian charity and with thanksgiving to the one who provides for us in all areas of our lives. Let our giving be truly an offering and not simply a donation. Let us pray.
All: Lord Jesus, we are reminded today that you see our motive in giving. Help us to give from hearts filled with love for you and for the mission and support of your Church. Help us to be aware of the needs around us. Remind us that all we have comes from you, and you give so that we can give to others. With grateful hearts we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 4)
Hymn: "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 5: The Word Of God
Reader: As preparation for our meditation on the Word of God, we read from Deuteronomy 11:18: "You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead."
Reflector: Remember the charm bracelets of the early '60s? You could tell the approach of a teenage girl from the jingling of her wrist a block away. This fad prompted the buying of charms for the variety of interests one might have a flute for music, a painting easel for art, a heart for a special friend, a graduation cap for that special day, and so forth. The charms reflected the personality and involvement of the wearer.
Our fifth reading talks of another symbol which we, as Christians, should be wearing, not only on the outside but on the inside as well. That symbol reflects the importance of the study of God's Holy Word. Many of us are proud of our knowledge in certain areas. Our home libraries boast many books which reflect our areas of interest. We collect certificates and diplomas in different areas of training. However, many of us struggle with our area of expertise in the Scriptures. Israel was commanded to lay up God's law in their hearts and souls. The Word of God was to permeate their entire being and culture. Their actions were to reflect and correspond to their study. As Christians, most of us need to repent of our lack of enthusiasm and discipline in our area of study. Lent gives us the opportunity to make a commitment to reading the holy book. In exercising this practice, we will grow in our understanding of the Bible and our Christian faith. We will then be able to incorporate that understanding into our daily lives by the inspiration of the living Word. We cannot unlock the messages of the Word with our limited human wisdom. But as we study and pray for understanding, God's Spirit will give us eyes to see and help us to understand. Begin today to set time aside for daily reading and reflection on the Word. Study the Word so you can wear the symbol of one growing in the knowledge of God. Let us pray.
All: Lord God, thank you that you continue to bless us when we do as you command. Help us in our study of your Word to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Help us to live out our faith in love and action. To you we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 5)
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 6: Prayer
Reader: Saint Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God." Let us remember that passage as we hear about prayer.
Reflector: "Anxiety!" The mere mention of that word makes our stress level rise. We are a nation preoccupied with the word and all it entails. We are anxious about our appearance. Am I wearing the correct thing? We are anxious about our children's grades. Will they get accepted into the National Honor Society or the college of their choice? We are anxious about our health. Am I eating the right foods? Drinking enough water? Will our government adopt a health care plan that will benefit me? The list goes on and on. Anxiety produces stress which erodes the foundation of our trust in our self-esteem, our educational system, the medical profession, the government, and so forth. Yet when we trust in anything besides God, we open ourselves up to being let down and becoming discouraged.
Saint Paul had a right to be discouraged as he wrote his letter to the church at Philippi to encourage them. Yet he sat in prison and rejoiced, not abandoning his hope in God or in the power of prayer. We must not become discouraged with the discipline of prayer. God sometimes allows us to feel dry and empty so that he can remind us that it is not our power that wrestles answers from the stronghold of heaven. We are called to relax and allow God's Spirit to pray. Picture a child climbing into a parent's lap to listen to a bedtime story. That is how God wants us to approach him in prayer. Anticipating an intimacy. Having ears open to hear what he has to say. Relaxing, secure in the knowledge that we are loved. Thankful for all God has done and is doing. Some of us feel limited in our prayer lives. Rejoice! God knows our limitations - even our inability at times to pray.
This Lent begin to be more intentional about making time to pray. Jesus spent nights in prayer. He drew apart from his demanding schedule to intercede for others but above all to be strengthened for the day ahead. He could have offered up many excuses, but he made the time and closeted himself with God. This Lent increase your time with God in prayer. Remember, however, that prayer is a two-way communication. We need time to listen as well as to speak. Focus in on the one you are praying to, using a lighted candle or a picture or an image. Then allow God to flood you with his peace. Let all anxiety disappear as God's presence brings you that blessed assurance of one who has heard. Let us pray.
All: Lord, we place all anxiety into your loving hands. Open our ears and enable us to be still. Help us to listen to what you have to say to us this Lent. With thankful hearts we come to you in prayer. Amen.
(Light Candle 6)
Hymn: "All Glory, Laud, And Honor" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 7: No Pain, No Gain
Reader: For our final reading we remember Jesus' approach into Jerusalem just before he was crucified. Hear what the prophet Zechariah has to say, "Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). Now hear our final reflection, No Pain, No Gain, and recall what it cost God to sacrifice his beloved Son.
Reflector: Have you ever been given the opportunity to be humbled? Most of us would like to forget about those times when that uncomfortable experience has been offered to us. Just when we are thinking of ourselves as persons of importance, something happens to bring a bit of embarrassment into our lives. Then we slide down to the bottom of the ladder when we felt so secure at the top. At times our overinflated views of who we are and what we can do crash into the reality of events in our lives and make us feel very humble.
In our final reading we see a king. This king did not ride the prancing white steed of a conqueror, but a donkey, an animal of burden. Jesus entered Jerusalem in this humble manner to declare his kingship over a world and people who have an overinflated idea of who they are. As Christians we take the opportunity as we begin Holy Week to walk our Lord's final steps on earth. We travel from Palm Sunday's glory, laud, and honor to the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday where Christ establishes a new covenant, a memorial of his suffering and death observed in the sacrament of his body and blood. We go to the Garden of Gethsemane and see Christ's passion. We enter the darkness of Good Friday without which there is no Easter Sunday. We cannot reach the glorified Christ of Easter without experiencing the pain of the Cross of Calvary.
Growth in our lives often is accompanied by pain. For Christians, the one who suffered the pain of our sins is Jesus. Jesus knew no sin yet became sin so that we could have eternal life. Without embracing Christ's pain, we stand in judgment for our individual sins. By recognizing his sacrifice and accepting him as Savior, we are reconciled to God. Jesus' pain was real, and the gain is ours to accept or reject. Salvation is a free gift, but one to be appropriated in our lives. The pain was his; the gain is ours. The choice is yours. Make a commitment as you approach the final week of Lent to travel the steps Jesus took through quiet reflection. Ask yourself where you stand in your personal relationship with Jesus. Journey to the cross and receive God's grace. Rise to new life with the Resurrected Lord. Rejoice, for your king has come offering you the gift of humility and love! Celebrate that gift as your climax to the Lenten journey. Let us pray.
All: Lord Jesus, we repent of the condition of our souls. Forgive us for being proud and not acknowledging your lordship in our lives. Fill us with new insight to the depth of your passion and our need for forgiveness. Thank you for the pain that has become our gain. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Now may the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit go with you as you journey throughout the rest of this Lenten season.
All: We celebrate Lent and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Closing Hymn: "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1-4)
Bulletin
Lenten Hopes
Opening Hymn: "O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 1: The Celebration Of Lent
Reflector
Reader
Prayer
All: Lord, as we enter this time of Lent, help us to celebrate the newness of life you offer the world. Bring springtime out of the winters of our discontented souls. Bring renewal out of our repentance. Breathe new freshness into our stale spirits, and help us to rejoice in the gift of eternal life obtained in Jesus Christ, your Son. In his name, Amen.
(Light Candle 1)
Hymn: "In The Hour Of Trial" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 2: The Discipline Of Fasting
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord, we ask you to help us this Lent to focus in on you and not our works. Help us to remember to boast only in you and what you have done and are doing in our lives. We praise you for the gift of self-discipline in our Lenten practices. Help us to be true temples for your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Through Christ we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 2)
Hymn: "Take My Life, That I May Be" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 3: Special Commitments
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Dear Lord, we commit our ways unto you. Help us reach out beyond ourselves and trust in you to be with us. May the commitments we make in our Lenten journey bring renewal to our spirits and benefit others. We trust in you and delight in this hope. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(Light Candle 3)
Hymn: "We Give Thee But Thine Own" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 4: Almsgiving
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord Jesus, we are reminded today that you see our motive in giving. Help us to give from hearts filled with love for you and for the mission and support of your Church. Help us to be aware of the needs around us. Remind us that all we have comes from you, and you give so that we can give to others. With grateful hearts we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 4)
Hymn: "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 5: The Word Of God
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord God, thank you that you continue to bless us when we do as you command. Help us in our study of your Word to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Help us to live out our faith in love and action. To you we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 5)
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 6: Prayer
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord, we place all anxiety into your loving hands. Open our ears and enable us to be still. Help us to listen to what you have to say to us this Lent. With thankful hearts we come to you in prayer. Amen.
(Light Candle 6)
Hymn: "All Glory, Laud, And Honor" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 7: No Pain, No Gain
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord Jesus, we repent of the condition of our souls. Forgive us for being proud and not acknowledging your lordship in our lives. Fill us with new insight to the depth of your passion and our need for forgiveness. Thank you for the pain that has become our gain. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Now may the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit go with you as you journey throughout the rest of this Lenten season.
All: We celebrate Lent and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Closing Hymn: "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1-4)
*Optional
Offering/Offertory
Prayers of the Church
Dismissal hymn
"Lenten Hopes: A Celebration of Lenten Disciplines" is a program designed especially for Lent. It may be used as a mid-week Lenten service, a women's program, a youth worship service, or a worship alternative on Sunday morning or evening.
This program involves a reflector and seven readers. The prayers are read by all the congregation gathered. After each prayer, a candle is lighted. Candles may be purple for the Lenten season and placed across the front of the audience. The hymns used reflect the Lenten topics and are taken from the Lutheran Book Of Worship.
The program is introduced with the celebration of Lent by the church. Topics covered by the meditations are fasting, special commitments, almsgiving, the study of the Word, prayer, and the cost of salvation. An offering and prayers may be added following the program if desired.
Program
A Celebration Of Lenten Disciplines
Opening Hymn: "O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 1: The Celebration Of Lent
Reflector: On Ash Wednesday the Christian Church enters the season celebrated as Lent. Derived from the Middle English word "lente" meaning "spring time," Lent is a 40-day period of anticipation. Traditionally a time of repentance and renewal, the observance of Lent and its emphasis on penitential practices has evolved over the centuries. In the early church, candidates were prepared for Easter baptism during this time. Public penance for sins, once rigidly stressed, gradually gave way to a period of private penance. Christians took on Lenten obligations such as abstinence from meat and other foods and not attending festivities. The passage of time also saw these practices become less rigid with today's emphasis of Lent as a time for meditation and reflection on Easter's meaning.
For the Christian, the Easter celebration is enhanced by individual Lenten preparation. Through the exercise of Lenten disciplines, the Christian is made more aware of how Christ chose to give himself for us completely. Many outside the church and within see this as a gloomy time when pressure is brought to give up a favorite food or a comfortable habit or to attend worship more frequently. Christians should see this time as what it is meant to be: a time of celebration! Join us tonight as we journey, "celebrating" Lent by drawing closer to the one it centers on: Jesus Christ and his walk to Calvary and his glorious resurrection. May the words of the Apostle Paul guide us as we begin our celebration.
Reader: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). Let us pray.
All: Lord, as we enter this time of Lent, help us to celebrate the newness of life you offer the world. Bring springtime out of the winters of our discontented souls. Bring renewal out of our repentance. Breathe new freshness into our stale spirits, and help us to rejoice in the gift of eternal life obtained in Jesus Christ, your Son. In his name, Amen.
(Light Candle 1)
Hymn: "In The Hour Of Trial" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 2: The Discipline Of Fasting
Reader: The Scripture for our second Lenten meditation, The Discipline Of Fasting, is from 1 Corinthians 6:19. Saint Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the
Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?"
Reflector: When I think of Lent, I visualize a chocolate eclair, filled with gooey cream and topped with lots of thick icing. However, I do not indulge in many of these delicious confectioneries for I know what they will do to my caloric intake for the day. Many of us can handle giving up certain foods or drinks during the 40-day period of Lent. We enjoy the benefits accompanying that denial the loss of a few pounds. However, we need to examine the spiritual benefit of this practice that many participate in.
Lenten fasting takes on special meaning for Christians as they cleanse the body, mind, and soul. Fasting imposes self-discipline which many of us lack. It encourages meditation and reflection. The discipline of fasting takes on a variety of forms. It could be giving up one big meal a week and donating the money to world hunger or a favorite charity. It might mean choosing simpler, more healthy meals. Some people abstain from a favorite food or drink (meat, wine, desserts, and so forth). Others eliminate wasteful habits and expensive excesses. Saint Paul reminds us in our second reading that we are "temples" of God's Spirit. We are to glorify God with our bodies. However, we also need to have the right attitude when we fast so it does not become a salvation work. It is through God's grace that we are saved, not our works. The real benefit in Lenten fasting is that it helps us to recall Christ's suffering and his death to redeem humanity. Faith in Jesus, not our self-denial, should be our focus. We can boast about being able to abstain from between-meal snacks or sweets, but Christ's work upon the cross is his alone to be glorified.
This Lent practice fasting with the right attitude. We should think of ourselves as that chocolate eclair being emptied of that creamy filling. As an empty vessel, God can then fill us with more and more of his Spirit so that we can truly glorify God with our bodies and fasting. Let us pray.
All: Lord, we ask you to help us this Lent to focus in on you and not on our works. Help us to remember to boast only in you and what you have done and are doing in our lives. We praise you for the gift of self-discipline in our Lenten practices. Help us to be true temples for your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Through Christ we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 2)
Hymn: "Take My Life, That I May Be" (vv. 1, 5)
Lenten Meditation 3: Special Commitments
Reader: As an introduction to our third Lenten meditation on Special Commitments, I read from Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act."
Reflector: Have you browsed around the local book store lately? The next time you are in the mall, notice how many books there are in the self-improvement section. Our society is committed to improving itself and has directed us to channeling our energies in a variety of ways, all involving commitment of one sort or another. Lent is a time of special commitments that involve giving up or taking on something for a greater good. It is a time for improving the self according to the direction God moves the heart of the individual. Special Lenten commitments can be very positive acts with long-reaching benefits.
The psalmist in our reading exhorts the believer to commit one's way to the Lord. This is an intentional, positive act which benefits not only the individual, but others. It calls us to make deliberate choices in our walk of faith. In the area of discipline, it may call us to watch less television and read our Bible more. It may cause us to pass by McDonald's and place the money we save into a jar labeled "World Hunger." It may call us to attend mid-week Lenten worship with our family instead of staying at home vegetating because we are just burned out. Lent presents the opportunity to make such commitments. These may come through the church or outside of it. Visiting a shut-in neighbor or a nursing home resident is a commitment of time and energy, but the blessings are twofold. Inviting a friend who rarely gets out of the house to lunch witnesses to the love and fellowship Christ calls us to share with others. When we commit our acts to the Lord, God does bless them and us. Take time to make this a practice, consecrating all you do to God. Be available for God. Be intentional about your actions. Your commitment to Christ will impact others. Intentional, positive acts done under the direction of the Holy Spirit affect both the giver and the recipient. Trust in God to direct and follow through in your commitments. Let God do the improving in your heart as the Lord channels you in the direction the Spirit chooses. Let us pray.
All: Dear Lord, we commit our ways unto you. Help us reach out beyond ourselves and trust in you to be with us. May the commitments we make in our Lenten journey bring renewal to our spirits and benefit others. We trust in you and delight in this hope. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(Light Candle 3)
Hymn: "We Give Thee But Thine Own" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 4: Almsgiving
Reader: As an introduction to our fourth meditation on Almsgiving, we read from Luke 21:1-2: "He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins."
Reflector: "Almsgiving" is a strange word to us today. Old Testament readings do not mention this practice of the duty of giving to the poor. This practice came about as the number of extremely poor people rose in Jesus' time. Over the centuries, this practice has certainly changed. Today we have a welfare system run by the government and not the church. Yet we do give to help others as we pass our collection plate at worship, turning our envelopes up so all will see or down so no one will know.
Giving in Christ's time was not the private affair of today's time. In fact, then great displays could be made if one wanted to flaunt one's giving before others. Placed in the Temple were horns which received the coins of the giver. Those wishing to make a public display of their stewardship tossed their money in with great zeal, causing the trumpets to echo with the clanging of their "tithe." Yet we see in our reading a stark contrast between two givers. One gives with pride while the other gives discreetly, quietly placing her two small coins into the treasury. A third party, however, observes this action. Jesus looks upon the scene. The rich should have been practicing the principle of almsgiving by presenting their offering not to the treasury but to the widow in their presence. Her need must have been obvious in comparison to their abundance. Yet they did not have eyes to see. Christ calls us to see that it is not the amount given to God that counts, but the attitude in which the offering is made. The rich gave out of their abundance and were proud of their contributions. The widow, whom they should have been helping, gave out of her poverty and put in all she had. Hers was a true offering; theirs a donation.
As we make special offerings this Lent, let us make sure that we give with Christian charity and with thanksgiving to the one who provides for us in all areas of our lives. Let our giving be truly an offering and not simply a donation. Let us pray.
All: Lord Jesus, we are reminded today that you see our motive in giving. Help us to give from hearts filled with love for you and for the mission and support of your Church. Help us to be aware of the needs around us. Remind us that all we have comes from you, and you give so that we can give to others. With grateful hearts we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 4)
Hymn: "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 5: The Word Of God
Reader: As preparation for our meditation on the Word of God, we read from Deuteronomy 11:18: "You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead."
Reflector: Remember the charm bracelets of the early '60s? You could tell the approach of a teenage girl from the jingling of her wrist a block away. This fad prompted the buying of charms for the variety of interests one might have a flute for music, a painting easel for art, a heart for a special friend, a graduation cap for that special day, and so forth. The charms reflected the personality and involvement of the wearer.
Our fifth reading talks of another symbol which we, as Christians, should be wearing, not only on the outside but on the inside as well. That symbol reflects the importance of the study of God's Holy Word. Many of us are proud of our knowledge in certain areas. Our home libraries boast many books which reflect our areas of interest. We collect certificates and diplomas in different areas of training. However, many of us struggle with our area of expertise in the Scriptures. Israel was commanded to lay up God's law in their hearts and souls. The Word of God was to permeate their entire being and culture. Their actions were to reflect and correspond to their study. As Christians, most of us need to repent of our lack of enthusiasm and discipline in our area of study. Lent gives us the opportunity to make a commitment to reading the holy book. In exercising this practice, we will grow in our understanding of the Bible and our Christian faith. We will then be able to incorporate that understanding into our daily lives by the inspiration of the living Word. We cannot unlock the messages of the Word with our limited human wisdom. But as we study and pray for understanding, God's Spirit will give us eyes to see and help us to understand. Begin today to set time aside for daily reading and reflection on the Word. Study the Word so you can wear the symbol of one growing in the knowledge of God. Let us pray.
All: Lord God, thank you that you continue to bless us when we do as you command. Help us in our study of your Word to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Help us to live out our faith in love and action. To you we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 5)
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 6: Prayer
Reader: Saint Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God." Let us remember that passage as we hear about prayer.
Reflector: "Anxiety!" The mere mention of that word makes our stress level rise. We are a nation preoccupied with the word and all it entails. We are anxious about our appearance. Am I wearing the correct thing? We are anxious about our children's grades. Will they get accepted into the National Honor Society or the college of their choice? We are anxious about our health. Am I eating the right foods? Drinking enough water? Will our government adopt a health care plan that will benefit me? The list goes on and on. Anxiety produces stress which erodes the foundation of our trust in our self-esteem, our educational system, the medical profession, the government, and so forth. Yet when we trust in anything besides God, we open ourselves up to being let down and becoming discouraged.
Saint Paul had a right to be discouraged as he wrote his letter to the church at Philippi to encourage them. Yet he sat in prison and rejoiced, not abandoning his hope in God or in the power of prayer. We must not become discouraged with the discipline of prayer. God sometimes allows us to feel dry and empty so that he can remind us that it is not our power that wrestles answers from the stronghold of heaven. We are called to relax and allow God's Spirit to pray. Picture a child climbing into a parent's lap to listen to a bedtime story. That is how God wants us to approach him in prayer. Anticipating an intimacy. Having ears open to hear what he has to say. Relaxing, secure in the knowledge that we are loved. Thankful for all God has done and is doing. Some of us feel limited in our prayer lives. Rejoice! God knows our limitations - even our inability at times to pray.
This Lent begin to be more intentional about making time to pray. Jesus spent nights in prayer. He drew apart from his demanding schedule to intercede for others but above all to be strengthened for the day ahead. He could have offered up many excuses, but he made the time and closeted himself with God. This Lent increase your time with God in prayer. Remember, however, that prayer is a two-way communication. We need time to listen as well as to speak. Focus in on the one you are praying to, using a lighted candle or a picture or an image. Then allow God to flood you with his peace. Let all anxiety disappear as God's presence brings you that blessed assurance of one who has heard. Let us pray.
All: Lord, we place all anxiety into your loving hands. Open our ears and enable us to be still. Help us to listen to what you have to say to us this Lent. With thankful hearts we come to you in prayer. Amen.
(Light Candle 6)
Hymn: "All Glory, Laud, And Honor" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 7: No Pain, No Gain
Reader: For our final reading we remember Jesus' approach into Jerusalem just before he was crucified. Hear what the prophet Zechariah has to say, "Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). Now hear our final reflection, No Pain, No Gain, and recall what it cost God to sacrifice his beloved Son.
Reflector: Have you ever been given the opportunity to be humbled? Most of us would like to forget about those times when that uncomfortable experience has been offered to us. Just when we are thinking of ourselves as persons of importance, something happens to bring a bit of embarrassment into our lives. Then we slide down to the bottom of the ladder when we felt so secure at the top. At times our overinflated views of who we are and what we can do crash into the reality of events in our lives and make us feel very humble.
In our final reading we see a king. This king did not ride the prancing white steed of a conqueror, but a donkey, an animal of burden. Jesus entered Jerusalem in this humble manner to declare his kingship over a world and people who have an overinflated idea of who they are. As Christians we take the opportunity as we begin Holy Week to walk our Lord's final steps on earth. We travel from Palm Sunday's glory, laud, and honor to the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday where Christ establishes a new covenant, a memorial of his suffering and death observed in the sacrament of his body and blood. We go to the Garden of Gethsemane and see Christ's passion. We enter the darkness of Good Friday without which there is no Easter Sunday. We cannot reach the glorified Christ of Easter without experiencing the pain of the Cross of Calvary.
Growth in our lives often is accompanied by pain. For Christians, the one who suffered the pain of our sins is Jesus. Jesus knew no sin yet became sin so that we could have eternal life. Without embracing Christ's pain, we stand in judgment for our individual sins. By recognizing his sacrifice and accepting him as Savior, we are reconciled to God. Jesus' pain was real, and the gain is ours to accept or reject. Salvation is a free gift, but one to be appropriated in our lives. The pain was his; the gain is ours. The choice is yours. Make a commitment as you approach the final week of Lent to travel the steps Jesus took through quiet reflection. Ask yourself where you stand in your personal relationship with Jesus. Journey to the cross and receive God's grace. Rise to new life with the Resurrected Lord. Rejoice, for your king has come offering you the gift of humility and love! Celebrate that gift as your climax to the Lenten journey. Let us pray.
All: Lord Jesus, we repent of the condition of our souls. Forgive us for being proud and not acknowledging your lordship in our lives. Fill us with new insight to the depth of your passion and our need for forgiveness. Thank you for the pain that has become our gain. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Now may the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit go with you as you journey throughout the rest of this Lenten season.
All: We celebrate Lent and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Closing Hymn: "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1-4)
Bulletin
Lenten Hopes
Opening Hymn: "O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 1: The Celebration Of Lent
Reflector
Reader
Prayer
All: Lord, as we enter this time of Lent, help us to celebrate the newness of life you offer the world. Bring springtime out of the winters of our discontented souls. Bring renewal out of our repentance. Breathe new freshness into our stale spirits, and help us to rejoice in the gift of eternal life obtained in Jesus Christ, your Son. In his name, Amen.
(Light Candle 1)
Hymn: "In The Hour Of Trial" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 2: The Discipline Of Fasting
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord, we ask you to help us this Lent to focus in on you and not our works. Help us to remember to boast only in you and what you have done and are doing in our lives. We praise you for the gift of self-discipline in our Lenten practices. Help us to be true temples for your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Through Christ we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 2)
Hymn: "Take My Life, That I May Be" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 3: Special Commitments
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Dear Lord, we commit our ways unto you. Help us reach out beyond ourselves and trust in you to be with us. May the commitments we make in our Lenten journey bring renewal to our spirits and benefit others. We trust in you and delight in this hope. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(Light Candle 3)
Hymn: "We Give Thee But Thine Own" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 4: Almsgiving
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord Jesus, we are reminded today that you see our motive in giving. Help us to give from hearts filled with love for you and for the mission and support of your Church. Help us to be aware of the needs around us. Remind us that all we have comes from you, and you give so that we can give to others. With grateful hearts we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 4)
Hymn: "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 5: The Word Of God
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord God, thank you that you continue to bless us when we do as you command. Help us in our study of your Word to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Help us to live out our faith in love and action. To you we pray, Amen.
(Light Candle 5)
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Lenten Meditation 6: Prayer
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord, we place all anxiety into your loving hands. Open our ears and enable us to be still. Help us to listen to what you have to say to us this Lent. With thankful hearts we come to you in prayer. Amen.
(Light Candle 6)
Hymn: "All Glory, Laud, And Honor" (vv. 1, 4)
Lenten Meditation 7: No Pain, No Gain
Reader
Reflector
Prayer
All: Lord Jesus, we repent of the condition of our souls. Forgive us for being proud and not acknowledging your lordship in our lives. Fill us with new insight to the depth of your passion and our need for forgiveness. Thank you for the pain that has become our gain. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Now may the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit go with you as you journey throughout the rest of this Lenten season.
All: We celebrate Lent and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Closing Hymn: "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1-4)
*Optional
Offering/Offertory
Prayers of the Church
Dismissal hymn
