Expect Opposition — Do It Anyway

From water to wilderness: God’s covenant continues; God’s kingdom comes near.

On stone and in hearts: God’s covenant continues; God’s kingdom comes near.

From the ancestor of nations to the Son lifted up:

God’s covenant continues; God’s kingdom comes near.

We follow Jesus on the Lenten path, for where he is, we would be also.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

God of mercy, we begin this Lenten season in confession. We do not live according to your ways, but according to our own. We condone violence, participate in systems of injustice, and use power to our own advantage at the expense of others. Forgive us, we pray, when we are tempted to follow paths other than those you set before us. Teach us your commandments; help us to turn from evil in its many guises and turn us toward your kingdom drawing near. In covenantal love, remember us, we pray, and be for us, once more and always, an ark of safety and new life. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

People of the covenant: God does not remember us according to our

sins and transgressions. God remembers us according to God’s own

steadfast love! The God of our salvation teaches us right paths and

leads us in truth. When we put our trust in God all the paths of the

Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness.

Steadfast God, thank you for sheltering us in the storms of life. Thank

you for ministering to us through angels seen and unseen in times

that test us. Thank you for claiming us as a people beloved forever. Because of your great love and care for us, we trust you in our

brightest joys and deepest needs.

We rejoice when dark clouds of trouble are overtaken by the

light of your presence and new possibilities, when things settle

down after a time of tossing about, when the great storm is over,

and when the promise of resurrection life takes hold in us with

sure and certain hope. Hear our prayers, we ask, for the deep

needs of the world.

In places of violence and warfare, give us the courage to lay down

our weapons of death and promote life and well-being instead.

We rejoice when dark clouds of trouble are overtaken by the

light of your presence and new possibilities.

In places of drought and fire, bring rains that make the earth colorful

and verdant again.

We rejoice when dark clouds of trouble are overtaken by the

light of your presence and new possibilities.

In places where the waters overtake their boundaries, allow the

overflowing chaos to recede.

We rejoice when dark clouds of trouble are overtaken by the

light of your presence and new possibilities.

Loving God, in life and in death, we belong to you. So in the midst of

life, we entrust ourselves to your care.

We are bold to ask for help when we are confused, lost, or

afraid. We are eager to ask for healing for our bodies and minds,

whether wounded, ill, or recovering. And we are unceasing in

our prayers for those we love who are far from us physically,

emotionally, or spiritually.

In the midst of death and grief, even though we are weary, we return

again and again, praying for comfort, for an easing of the pain that

comes from loss, and for the light of your presence to pierce the

present darkness.

As the heavens were torn open at Jesus ’baptism, and the

curtain in the temple was torn at his crucifixion, so now tear

open anything that divides us from you or hides your presence

in our lives or in the church.

We desire to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy

Spirit, and to see you clearly. Lead us to serve others faithfully as

disciples of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Gracious God, in rushing waters and in dry wilderness, in every season and circumstance, we need your sustaining word. By the power of your Holy Spirit, proclaim the good news among us today so that we may repent and believe and see anew how the time is fulfilled and the kingdom has come near, in Jesus Christ your Son, our Savior. Amen.

Mark 1:9-15 ⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” ¹² And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³ He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14Nlow after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Questions for Reflection: Kelly Frankiewicz M.Div

The phrase “kingdom of God” — {Kin-dom of God} occurs fourteen

times in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus’ baptism, then, is not only a

religious act, but is also a political and economic one. In what ways

does your baptism into Christ make claims on your political, social,

and economic practices as well as your religious practices? Where

have you shied away from Kin-dom building action because you

expected opposition?

Where might you take a next small step toward building God’s

Kingdom on earth?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Phyllis Spencer

Because we believe that in Jesus Christ, God’s time is fulfilled and

the kingdom of God has come near, we respond in tangible ways. By

doing acts of justice and compassion and by sharing our resources,

we bear witness to the good news of the gospel. The offering is

received in gratitude to God.

God of steadfast love and faithfulness, we are humbled as we try to do what is right and to walk in your ways. Receive, we ask, these offerings, and use them for your own good purposes in the church and in all creation. We pray in Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the God of covenant faithfulness enfold you; the beloved Son encourage you; and the Holy Spirit descend upon you in blessing; this day and forever. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.