HEARTS AND HANDS AND EARS OPEN
Second Sunday in Lent
O God of love,
whose Spirit stirred over the waters of chaos
and called forth light into being,
we gather in this morning’s light,
in the warmth of this community,
your Spirit stirring among us,
calling us, cradling us,
until we say,
“Yes,
we are your people.
Yes,
we will be light
in this creation of yours”
Reveal to us, then, in this Lenten season,
the faith of
Sarah and Abraham—
faith firm enough
to hear when you speak,
even when it means releasing the comfort of security,
leaving what we know
and walking into the unknown,
the new challenge,
to follow you,
to be your people
Guide us, God,
here in this church.
Shape us so that Sarah and Abraham
would recognize themselves here:
hearts and hands and ears open
to being in relationship with you,
giving thanks to you in all things,
even in the midst of one another’s burdens,
so that we may bear them together,
knowing the lightness of a load
when so many of our brothers’ and sisters’ hands
lift it with us
We are here this morning,
eager for you to reveal to us
a love that hopes all things
and endures all things
Even the burden of a love
that sometimes says no,
a love that hopes all things
even in the midst of loneliness
We pray to live a love that endures even the misery of failure,
that transcends the temptation of judgment
and forgives us quickly
as we would have others forgive us
We pray now for those among us and our families who are ill,
who know pain and grief,
that as we move among their struggle with illness,
we may be instruments of Christ’s peace,
bringing comfort in Christ’s name:
Prayers of intercession
We praise you for this day
and the miracle of senses to live it,
for you alone are God.
Accept our grateful thanks, O God of steadfast love.
We offer it with our whole hearts
And now with so great a cloud of witnesses
as to run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
we pause
in silence,
listening to you:
Silent prayer