18C - Ash Wednesday — 20C - Lent 2C
See also my posts from 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Whoever dwells under the protection of the Most High,
lives in the shadow of the Almighty:
“O Deep Mystery, you are my refuge and my stronghold;
the Holy One in whom I trust.”
If you make the Most High your dwelling place
evil will not fall to you,
and no disaster will come near your tent.
For the messengers of the Most High will be with you,
to watch over you in all your ways
With their hands they will hold you up,
lest you strike your foot on a rock
You will tread on the lion and the cobra,
and trample the young lion and the serpent.
Truly, any person who loves me I will bring to safety,
and anyone who knows my name I will keep out of harm’s way,
and anyone who will call on me I will answer,
and be with in distress,
and rescue,
and bring honour,
and satisfy with a full life,
and show my saving work.
OFFERING
Generous God,
we offer our gifts and our lives;
may the spirit in which they are given
allow them to free rather than bind,
to heal rather than wound,
and to serve the reign of the Lord of Life. Amen.
A CREATIVE MOMENT – Deuteronomy 26:1-11
During Lent the primary focus of these creative moments is on the lections from the Hebrew Scripture, in which we see God’s steadfast, sure love expressed in covenant, promise and abundant provision.
This is not necessarily suggesting or precluding a “Harvest Thanksgiving/Festival”. However, one could make a small arrangement produce (fruit, vegetables, flowers) in the worship centre, symbolising God’s covenant love and provision expressed in the reading from Deuteronomy.
Alternatively (Luke 4:1-13), drape a purple cloth from the worship centre table onto the floor. Anchor the cloth to the table and the floor with some stones or rocks, symbolising the wilderness, the world, and the main building material of the Temple.
Click here for some ideas for worship in Lent and Easter gleaned from the pages of “On the Move” (now out of print) which was published by the Joint Board of Christian Education, Melbourne, Australia.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession with connection to the lections for the day. Sometimes this prayer borrows lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community.)
Holy One, known by many names,
whose faithfulness is a shield and protection,
gather the oppressed and grieving under your wing
strengthen those who fear the terror of the night,
or daily life;
rescue the distressed;
be present to those who call on your name,
to those we named on our lips,
and in the silence of our hearts,
those whose concerns are known only to you.
Show them your saving ways
to your honour and glory,
in Jesus’ name….
(The Prayers of the People continue)
Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate
| HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR LENT 1C | |
| Awake, my soul, and with the sun | TIS 557 |
| God is my strong salvation | TIS 15 |
| Have faith in God my heart | TIS 619 |
| O breath of God, breathe on us now | TIS 408 |
| Deuteronomy 26:1-11 |
|
| For the fruits of all creation | TIS l68 |
| Guide me, O thou great Redeemer | TIS 569 |
| Now thank we all our God | TIS 106 |
| O God of Bethel, by whose hand | TIS 564 |
| Praise and thanksgiving | TIS 627 |
| The God of Abraham praise | TIS 125 |
| Psalm 91:1-2,9-16 |
|
| If we will trust in God to guide us | TIS 554 |
| In heavenly love abiding | TIS 588 |
| Praise to the Lord, the almighty | TIS 111 |
| Safe in the shadow of the Lord | TIS 644 |
| Whoever lives beside the Lord | TIS 49 |
| You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord | TIS 48 |
| Romans 10:8b-13 |
|
| At the name of Jesus | TIS 231 |
| Dear Shepherd of your people | TIS 444 |
| Firmly I believe and truly | TIS 140 |
| How sweet the name of Jesus sounds | TIS 223 |
| I’m not ashamed to own my Lord | TIS 562 |
| Immortal, invisible, God only wise | TIS 143 |
| In Christ there is no east or west | TIS 459 |
| Lord Jesus, joy of loving hearts | TIS 499 |
| O Spirit of the living God | TIS 405 |
| Peace with the Father, | TIS 466 |
| Rejoice the Lord is king | TIS 2l6 |
| Luke 4:1-13 |
|
| By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered | TIS 617 |
| Forty days and forty nights | TIS 591 |
| How firm a foundation, you people of God | TIS 578 |
| Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us | TIS 580 |
| Lord, in the strength of grace | TIS 483 |
| When he was baptized in Jordan | TIS 252 |