PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Pour out your Holy Spirit, O God, and prepare our hearts to accept your word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Suggested readings
Sunday March 22–Mark 12:28-44
Sunday March 29–Mark 13:1-8, 24-37
Or consider reading a psalm or other reading
REFLECT ON SCRIPTURE
Lectio Divina: A spiritual practice to intentionally and contemplatively connect with scripture. This ancient spiritual practice involves listening to multiple readings of the same scripture passage interspersed with short periods of silence.
First Reading: Listen for a word that “jumps out” at you.
Each person will share their word (without comment or explanation) with the group.
Second Reading: Consider this question as the passage is read again, “How does this word and this scripture connect with my life?”
After a time of silence, each person can share their response to the question.
Third Reading: “What is this passage calling me to do? And “who is this passage calling me to be?”
After a time of silence, respond to the question, “What have you heard from God in this scripture passage?
HYMN, PSALM, OR SPIRITUAL SONG
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
Adapted from A Brief Statement of Faith, lines 65-71
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
For the church, the world, and all in need, let us pray to the Lord, saying: God of grace,
hear our prayer.
For your Church in every place, that we may worship and serve you faithfully . . .
For leaders and people in every land, that they may know your way and do your will . . .
For justice throughout the world, that there may be peace and plenty for all . . .
For the earth you have made, that it may flourish in beauty and show your glory . . .
For all those who hunger and thirst, that they may be filled with good things . . .
For those who are ill or close to death, that they may know your loving care . . .
Other special needs may be mentioned.
Receive all these prayers, O God, in the tenderness of your mighty hand, and strengthen our hands to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OFFERING (
Ps. 24:1, 1 Chr. 29:11, 14)
The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it.
Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. Heaven and earth are yours, O Lord,
and of your own we give you.
Eternal God, creator of the world and giver of all good, we thank you for the earth, our home, and for the gift of life. We praise you for your love in Jesus Christ, who came to heal this broken world, who died rejected on the cross, and rose triumphant from the dead. Because he lives, we live to praise you, our God forever.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
