These liturgical texts are appropriate for use throughout the Season of Lent and may be repeated from week to week.
Throughout Christian history, references to “the Jews” in Scripture—particularly in John and Acts—have been used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and falsely assign blame for the death of Jesus. These references gloss over significant distinctions among religious leaders, such as Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, and obscure the fact that Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jews. As Christians, we confess and lament the history of anti-Judaism associated with these texts. We renounce the evils of violence and discrimination against Jewish people. We strive for mutual understanding, respect, and partnership with Jewish neighbors and commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation among people of all faiths.
Confession and Lament
We are in need of grace, and we are not alone.
Thanks be to God,
the grace of Jesus Christ is poured out for all.
With honesty we name our fears and our hopes,
knowing that we are loved, redeemed,
and set free from the power of sin.
Merciful God,
afraid and despairing, we cry for your redemption.
The demands of our society overwhelm us,
separating us from you and one another.
Fear consumes us,
greed manipulates us,
and violence occupies us.
Forgive us, we pray.
Keep our feet planted in the wisdom of the Spirit
and our lungs filled with your breath of mercy,
that we might be made new.
We place our trust in you alone,
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friends, there is no need for fear or shame.
We are forgiven.
Through the love of Christ,
the powers of sin and death have lost their hold on us.
Nothing can destroy us,
for anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
Let this news sink into your body and soul,
and be at peace. Amen.
Invitation to Discipleship
In God alone we breathe and have our being.
We have come to hear God’s word
and to be changed:
centered, cleansed, renewed,
and energized for service.
Let us go from here with hopeful curiosity
about what God is doing among us.
God blesses our hands and feet, hearts, and minds,
so that as Christ’s body,
we may travel through these weeks of Lent
ready to hear God’s call and to answer. Amen.
Eucharist
Invitation to the Table
Come to God’s table of welcome,
where we learn God’s good news for us:
All is not lost. Life will triumph.
Love saves us. We are not alone.
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Triune God, praising you makes us whole.
At this table you ground us again in
your faithfulness as we remember
the story of how you love and save us.
In the beginning you, Creator God,
breathed life into the mist,
and you have given us life
throughout history and every day.
You brought your people out from powers
of oppression, violence, genocide, and abuse,
and with your justice you challenge these powers in the world today.
You have always been a home for your people.
When we have erred, you have corrected us.
When we return to you, you receive us with joy.
Your still, small voice
has opened the souls of your prophets,
and your redemptive word
has inspired them to share it.
Together with believers of every time and place,
we forever sing to the glory of your name:
The Sanctus may be sung (GTG 551-609) or spoken.
When human prophecy failed
against institutions of systemic evil, injustice,
and violence, and despair gripped the world,
you sent Jesus, your only Son, to be at home with us,
as we have always been at home with you.
In the face of evil, hatred, and fear,
he gave unexpected love, defiant mercy,
and courageous hope.
He shared space with outcasts,
welcomed sinners, and overturned norms.
His ministry of healing
inspires our ministry in a rapidly changing world.
Jesus willingly went to his death
and hung in shame to rise again in glory.
We give you thanks that Death
could not hold Jesus in the tomb,
and we offer our lives as a living sacrifice,
proclaiming this good news:
The memorial acclamation may be sung (GTG 551-609) or spoken.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and this cup,
that we may serve as your body resurrected,
turning from despair and anger,
hatred and narrow self-interest.
In this Lenten season, most Holy God,
remake us in the image of Jesus.
Feed us at this table,
that we might feed those who are hungry,
claim as siblings those who are outcast,
shelter those who are unhoused,
heal those who are sick or injured,
companion those who are abandoned,
rebuke those who act unjustly,
and work together
with fierce purpose as your beloved community.
We delight in being yours, claimed and beloved.
From the depth of our hearts, we praise you,
Triune God, and we pray together as Jesus Christ taught us, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer After Communion
In this season of Lent, Holy God,
we thank you for feeding us at this table.
We pray for courage and faith,
that we might face your message of transformation
and let it remake us again in your image.
How deep our need for mercy;
how deep our joy in learning your grace.
We praise you, Triune God. Amen.
