Lent Liturgies 2016

14^th February Week 1:

Loving and life giving God, as we stand poised on the edge of this desert season, we pray that you would lead us, teach us and guide us through the days ahead.

GRANT US YOUR SPIRIT OF GRACE AND GENTLENESS, HELP US TO HEAR YOUR VOICE, AND TO FIND YOU IN ONE ANOTHER.

Your word teaches us that we are known by our love one for another, so we commit ourselves to walk together ad serve one another through this time.

(The bowl and towel are placed at the foot of the cross)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord

21^st February Week 2:

Loving and life giving God, as we journey on together, we pray that you would nourish us even through our doubts and fears, even in the darker places.

GRANT US YOUR SPIRIT OF GRACE AND GENTLENESS, HELP US TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN, TO FIND YOU IN THE PEOPLE AROUND US.

Your word teaches us that we have received freely, and with that comes the freedom to give and share our lives as Christ shared his.

(The bread and cup are placed at the foot of the cross)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord

28^th February Week 3:

Loving and life giving God, as we continue our journey we are faced again and again with the sacrifices you made for us.

GRANT US YOUR SPIRIT OF GRACE AND GENTLENESS, HELP US TO MAKE HOLY SACRIFICES ON OUR JOURNEY OF DISCIPLESHIP AS YOU LEAD AND DRAW US.

Your word teaches us the way of the cross, help us to walk that road with confidence and joy.

(The hammer and nails are placed at the foot of the cross)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord

6^th March Week 4: (Mothering Sunday)

Loving and life giving God, in you we find the one who loves to throw a party! Even in the desert you invite us to your table and teach us your joy.

GRANT US YOUR SPIRIT OF GRACE AND GENTLENESS TO WELCOME ALL TO YOUR TABLE, TO FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE THAT NONE WOULD BE TURNED AWAY.

Your word is filled with invitations and welcome, you showed us your grace when you received us, make us bearers of your good news.

(a small bunch of flowers is placed at the foot of the cross)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord

13^th March Week 5: (Passion Sunday)

Loving and life giving God, your heart is always towards us, your thoughts are always with us even when we are far from you.

GRANT US YOUR SPIRIT OF GRACE AND GENTLENESS, EVEN WITH OURSELVES WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES LOST, GIVE US CONFIDENCE TO RETURN TO YOUR EMBRACE.

Your word reminds us that we can know ourselves forgiven, even when we know we have let you and others down.

(The bag of coins is placed at the foot of the cross and the crown of thorns on the top)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord

20^th March Week 6: (Palm Sunday)

Loving and life giving God we thank you that in Christ you revealed your heart to us, even in the face of death you did not give us up.

GRANT US YOUR SPRIRIT OF GRACE AND GENTLENESS, TO SEE YOU IN DARK AND DIFFICULT TIMES, HELP US TO SEE THE LIGHT THAT DARKNESS CANNOT QUENCH.

Your word reminds us that death has been overcome, and even in the face of death we can enter into fullness of life.

(The palms are placed at the foot of the cross, and the robe is placed across the cross bars)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord

27^th March Easter Sunday:

Loving and life giving God, you have brought us through the desert, you have not left or forsaken us, and with you, through you and in you we celebrate!

WE CELEBRATE FOR DEATH IS OVERCOME AND LIFE HAS WON, WE CELEBRATE BECAUSE IN YOU AND WITH YOU WE FIND OURSELVES, WELCOMED TO THE JOURNEY OF WHOLENESS AND HEALING.

Your word teaches us that we are works in progress, that your ways are higher than ours, and your thoughts are not our thoughts, when we draw back from life draw us , further up and further in we pray.

(Flowers are placed on the cross)

Sing together: Open our eyes Lord