Lent 1-C

Call to Worship
Jesus began his ministry to the world,
led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
As we begin our Lenten journey,
let us be led by the Spirit,
even into the uncomfortable places.
In those forty days, and in that place,
Jesus was faced with hunger, doubt
and temptation.
As we seek to follow Jesus,
we would be led,
even into the uncomfortable choices.
Jesus left the wilderness,
faithful and obedient to God,
rejoicing in the One in whom he trusted.
As we continue on our path to faithfulness,
we will be led by our Christ,
rejoicing in the Lord our God.

Prayer of the Day
Holy God,
Refuge of desert wanderers:
as the seeds of grace
you have planted within us
bear an abundant harvest,
we would offer the first fruits
in thanksgiving to you
and in service to others.

Jesus Christ,
Companion of Lenten pilgrims:
you understood
that God alone feeds us,
and so became the broken Bread;
you knew that the power
to transform our lives
comes from God alone,
and so became our Servant;
you did not ignore
the warning not to test God,
and so became our Hope.

Holy Spirit,
Leader of Christ's apprentices:
you fill the hungry
with the Bread of life;
you fill the arrogant
with the Servant's humility;
yoou fill the hopeless
with that trust which endures.

God in Commnity, Holy in One,
in our hearts and with our lips,
we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .

Call to Reconciliation
God makes no distinction between us. We are all sinners, we are all children of God, we are
all precious to God, and we are all saved by God. Because God makes no distinction, let us confess our common humanity to the One who is generous to all.

Unison Prayer of Confession
God of our ancestors and God of our children, we come knowing we have preferred to test you, rather than to trust you. The famine in our souls makes us
long to be filled with the empty promises of the world. We listen to the soothing words of the advertisers, rather than to the uncomfortable words of discipleship.

Forgive us, God of our lives. Bring us out of that dependence on ourselves, and bring us into the presence of the One we seek to follow, not only to Jerusalem,
but beyond - into life with you forever, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
God has listened to our prayers and to our
silence. God reaches out, with signs and
wonders, with grace and forgiveness, and
makes us whole.
On our lips and in our hearts, we give thanks
to the One who loves us and heals us. Amen.

(c) 2007 Thom M. Shuman