Expect Your Own Doubt — 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.

Redeeming God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, and have not loved our neighbors as we ought; we have strayed from your commandments. Do not remember when we have turned away, forgive the times we have placed ourselves above community, that we may fix our eyes on you and live your love, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Siblings, the birth of Jesus — God in the world, reveals God’s love for

us just as we are. May we delight in the joy of our salvation.

During the final days of his earthly life, Jesus offered up prayers and

supplications with loud cries and tears, and in faithful obedience, he

opened the way to eternal salvation. Let us open our hearts this day

as we lift up our deepest needs and concerns to the One who is

mighty in love. We pray for all leaders and people, that by the power of your

cross you would drive out all violence, domination, and injustice

in our world as you draw us to your Christ.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for our war-ravaged world, that you would teach us to

walk together in your way of righteousness and peace.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for the vocation of the church, that our prayers would

bear the fruit of action as we hear the cries of pain and suffering

of those in need.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for the poor, the terrified, and the oppressed, and those

who are too much alone, that they may find a home in you as we

serve them in your name.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.

As your son anticipated his death on the cross in light of your

steadfast love, may all who have died or who are dying be at rest in

your eternal care. Through Christ, with Christ, in the unity of the Holy

Spirit, we glorify you, almighty God, with unending thanks and praise.

Amen.

Your Word, O God, has power to change our lives and to create a whole new world. As we meditate on your word this day, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may treasure your word with our whole hearts and fix our eyes on you. Amen.

John 12:20-33 20Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. ²¹ They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³ Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27“Nlow my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” ³⁰ Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. ³¹ Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³² And |, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” ³³ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

Where is God enacting new life within or around you? What in your

life must die so that you may flourish? What must fall away so that

you can rise in Christ?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Marylee Thomsen

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and takes on new life, it

remains just a single grain. With grateful hearts, let us bring the fruit

of our lives to God.

As the high priest Melchizedek blessed Abraham and offered his tithe of bread and wine at your holy altar, may our gifts be made perfect through Christ to glorify you and bless the world. Amen.

Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” May God, whose hand has written the law of love upon your heart, fill you with peace from deep within and the commitment to live in harmony. And the blessing of God, who loves, forgives, and calls us home, be with you now and always. My siblings, Go in peace to love and be Christ to the world. 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.