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Ash Wednesday

Prayer: Mercy and Justice

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written for National Day of Prayer, for the government.
Lord, as we delicately balance a relationship between mercy and justice
Give us a prudence for Good News when only Sheol surrounds us.
Suffering is real, death is real, this pandemic is real, and you are real.
Those who discern their power in the midst of crisis through wisdom
comfort the poor, shepherd the vulnerable, feed the hungry, and heal sick.
May their work translate from the language of illness to the celebration of wholeness.
Those who discern their power in the midst of crisis through foolishness
ignore the poor, endanger the vulnerable, hoard from hunger, and heal only some.
We know now that you show no partiality and we search to find you in all creatures.
Make our leaders grow as people worthy of their civic calling.
Make us uneasy when they act with injustice, and proud when they pursue peace.
Dissuade any political entity or party from propaganda, misinformation, & scapegoating.
Bring forward in our government the best of who we are when we are fully human
And actively decide to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We do this because you first loved us.
In Jesus Name.
submitted by Brian Merritt, First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, NJ 

Communion: Learn the Story Again

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It is truly right and our greatest joy
to give you thanks and praise,
eternal God, creator and ruler of the universe.You created us from the earth,
breathed life into us,
and set us in your world to love and serve you.
When we said “no” to your love
and acted like we alone were the most important,
you did not give up on us.
Instead, you came to us in Jesus Christ,
who showed us that true greatness comes in service.Tonight we remember that Jesus was betrayed,
killed by human authorities,
and then raised to life again by your divine power.
We eat this bread and drink this cup
to learn that story again
and to claim your redeeming love for everyone.

Give us your Holy Spirit,
so that when we share this special meal,
we are in fact sharing in Jesus’ presence.
Unite us with each other,
and with all Christians everywhere,
so our lives in the world
can show what your life is like.
Give us the strength,
the wisdom,
and the courage
to serve each other and everyone we meet,
in Jesus’ name.

We pray as he taught us, saying…

submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA

CTW: Blow the Trumpet in Zion

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based on Joel 2:1-2,12-17

Blow the trumpet in Zion; shout on God’s holy Mountain!
Everyone will be afraid, God’s Judgement is on its way,
the Day of the Lord is almost here.

It’ll be a day like we’ve never seen – a day of dark and gloom,
clouds and darkness!
Shadows will spread over everything as a huge army comes,
          one like there has never or will never be.

But it’s not too late, God calls to each of us:
“Come back to me, come fasting, crying, and sorry for
your sins!”

Tear your hearts, not just your clothes. Come back to your
          God because God is compassionate, merciful, patient,
          loving, and ready to forgive.

Blow the horn, demand a fast, call special services;
Gather everyone in and prepare them for a special meeting!

Bring everyone in: the elderly and the young, even infants, even men and women on their honeymoon—do what it takes to get them there, let them say, “Have mercy, O God, on us
         your people!”

submitted by Rev. Will Ryan, First Christian Church Burlington IA

Invitation to the Table based on Matthew 6:7-13

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We gather at this table
not for God’s benefit but for our own.
We recall the story of salvation,
because we are the ones who need to know it again.
Remember, beloved, the goodness of the One
who day by day calls the world into being;
who life by life calls humanity into loving relationship;
who is always and everywhere faithful.
Rejoice, children of God, in the life of Jesus Christ,
who is born into our lives;
who teaches us the way of righteousness;
who walks with us through the gates of suffering and death;
who is our resurrection life.
Gather at this table
to share in these gifts of bread and cup;
to receive the Holy Spirit;
to be made new and united with all God’s people,
the redeemed of every time and place.
At this table and in all our lives,
Jesus is yet with us – even to the end of the age.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

With thanks and praise, we trust that God knows all our needs.
There is nothing else to say,
so let us join in the prayer Jesus taught:
The Lord’s Prayer

 

Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA