WEdnesday LEnten worship Feb. 21, 2024

Continuing in the Covenant of Baptism: To Live Among God's Faithful People February 21, 2024 GATHERING The Holy Spirit gathers us into a community of prayer.

OPENING Behold, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.

Turn us again, O God of our salvation, that the light of your face may shine on us.

May your justice shine like the sun; and may the poor be lifted up.

HYMN 561

Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory

Text and music © 1987 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com.

800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Onelicense.net A725004

THANKSGIVING FOR LIGHT The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you called light into being, and you set lights in the sky to govern night and day. In a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night you led you people into freedom. Enlighten our darkness by the light of your Christ; may your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for you are merciful, and you love your whole creation, and with all your creatures we give you glory, through your Son Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, silence, reflection, and song.

THE READING

Acts 2:37-47

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the

Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

CONVERSATION WITH PASTOR MARK LARSON HYMN 526

God is Here!

Text © 1979 and music © 1942, Ren. 1970 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

Used by permission.onelicense.net A725004

PRAYER The Holy Spirit prays with us and through us.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Trusting in God’s promise to reconcile all things, let us pray for the church, the well-being of creation, and a world in need.

God our truth, the ark of your church has room for many expressions of faith. We give thanks for voices that challenge and awaken your people. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

God our maker, you remember your covenant with the earth and its inhabitants. Rescue communities and creatures hurting from natural disasters. Preserve species and habitats endangered by human carelessness and disregard. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God our light, you know our weakness. Free all who govern from the temptations of power. Sustain all who work for human rights in every nation. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God our help, you care for your beloved children. Comfort all who are grieving, ill, afraid, in pain, or in despair. Feed hungry people living in food deserts. Protect any at risk from exploitation and abuse. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God our home, you gather your people. Grant us health and safety as we assemble. Keep us mindful of any who are homebound, hospitalized, convalescing, or traveling especially those we now name, silently or aloud. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God our hope, you promise eternal life to your beloved children. We remember with gratitude those who have lived and died in faith. Grant that we may also dwell with you in everlasting peace. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Accompany us on our journey, God of grace, and receive the prayers of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you.

Please share a sign of blessing with your fellow worshipers in whatever way is comfortable for you.

GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. | And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. | We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray...

LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Bread for the journey. A feast for hungry hearts. Come!

COMMUNION PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen.

Generous God, at this table we have tasted your immeasurable grace. As grains of wheat are gathered into one bread, now make us one loaf to feed the world; in the name of Jesus, the Bread of life. | Amen.

SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING Beloved, we are God’s own people, holy, washed, renewed. God bless you and keep you, shower you with mercy, fill you with courage, and ☩ give you peace. | Amen.

HYMN 454

Remember and Rejoice

Text © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Onelicense.net A725004

DISMISSAL Go in peace, share your bread. | Thanks be to God.