Some Liturgical Suggestions for Lent III & IV

Here are some liturgical suggestions for Lent III and Lent IV with thanks to the Rev'd James Olson for pointing out that red rubrics are not always helpful!

The Gathering of the Community

Opening Responses

We cast our burdens upon you, O Lord.

And you will sustain us.

Create in us clean hearts, O God.

And renew a right spirit within us.

Cast us not away from your presence

and take not your Holy Spirit from us.

Give us the joy of your saving help again

and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit.

Blessed are you, O Lord, day by day,

the God of our salvation who bears our burdens.

Hymn of Penitence      

‘Before I Take the Body of My Lord’ (Common Praise #610)

Absolution

May the God of compassion, who in Jesus Christ has made us a royal priesthood, forgive you your sins, open your eyes to God’s truth, strengthen you to do God’s will and give you the joy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[adapted from Common Worship of the Church of England]

Collect of the Day

Lent III

Enduring Presence, goal and guide, you go before and await our coming.  Only our thirst compels us beyond complaint to conversation, beyond rejection to relationship.  Pour your love into our hearts, that, refreshed and renewed, we may invite others to the living water given to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[Revised Common Lectionary Prayers]

Lent IV

Discerner of hearts, you look beneath our outward appearance and see your image in each of us.  Banish in us the blindness that prevents us from recognizing truth, so we may see the world through your eyes and with the compassion of Jesus Christ who redeems us.  Amen.

[Revised Common Lectionary Prayers]

The Proclamation of the Word

The usual order of service up to the Creed.  Instead of the Creed the following ‘Affirmation of Faith’ will be said.

An Affirmation of Faith

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?  We believe and trust in God, the Source of all being and life.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?  We believe and trust in God, the Word of life incarnate.

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?  We believe and trust in God, the Spirit of wisdom and truth.

This is the faith of the Church.  This is our faith.  We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

[adapted from Common Worship of the Church of England]

The Holy Communion

The Prayer over the Gifts

Lent III

Faithful God of love whose Son showed us how to serve your people with justice and mercy, we offer you these gifts in faith and love, seeking your strength to meet the needs of ourselves and others.  We ask this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

[Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers]

Lent IV

Merciful God, we are reconciled to you through the mercy of Christ.  We offer you these gifts confident that you will empower us to be your ministers of reconciliation in the church and in the world.  We ask this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

[Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers]

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Prayer after Communion

Lent III

Holy One, shape and transfigure us by your grace, that we may grow in wisdom and confidence, never faltering until we have done all that you desire to bring your realm of shalom to fulfillment.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers]

Lent IV

God of compassion, you embrace all people at the festive banquet of your table.  May we rejoice in your love and celebrate the inheritance you have given to us.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

[Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers]