February 24, 2013

Second Sunday in Lent

(Congregation may be invited to be seated for prayer.)

With the prayer “Hear us, O God” you are invited to respond…

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT.

  1. Returning to the Lord with all our heart, let us pray for the whole people of God, the earth, and all who cry out for healing.
  1. In these Lenten days, form us into a people who radiate lives of gratitude and generosity.

Hear us, O God

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT.

  1. In these uncertain times, give to your churcha renewed confidence in your promises, and give to the members of all communities of faith a renewed willingness to hear your call to serve. We pray in particular for our partner Anglican Cahaurch of Canada; Ascension Lutheran Church in Nelson and their pastor, Nolan Gingrich; Mount Zion Lutheran Church in New Westminster and their pastor, MarlysMoen; Surrey Urban Mission and the Lutheran Urban Mission in Vancouver. May all pastors and all who support the church’s ministry, know the joy of their salvation.

Hear us, O God:

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT

  1. Bring relief to the people suffering from polluted air. Inspire us to treasure the sky and sun, the stars and moon, the lands and rivers along with depth of space itself.

Hear us, O God

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT.

  1. Grant peace to the city of Jerusalem and we pray that the leaders of all nations would show care for all their people and all their land.

Hear us, O God

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT.

  1. Enfold with compassion all who cry out fornourishment, for a place to sleep, for peace of mind, or forthe healing of the body and soul. We pray especially at this time for those we name aloud or quietly …

Through our words and our actions in this coming week, may others experience your sustaining and loving presence.

Hear us, O God:

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT

  1. God, the giver of every good gift, we thank you for all your special blessings:

-we thank you those who have the gift of another birthday or another anniversary;

-We thank you for your promise to be with us in difficult times and with difficult people;

-And we thank you for your Word and; yourSacramentsthat renew us weekly.

-We thank you for those special blessings we name aloud at this time….

Help us to live daily lives of thankfulness.

Hear us, O God:

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT

  1. As a hen gathers her brood under her wings, draw us with all the saints to your tender and merciful embrace.

Hear us, O God

YOUR MERCY IS GREAT.

  1. Hear us according to your steadfast love, O God, and in your great compassion bring us to resurrection and rebirth. AMEN

Luke 13:31-35

The Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ 32He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me,* “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when* you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’