Second Sunday in Lent

February 28, 2010

1. Gathered by the Spirit, let us return to the Lord our God, offer of our prayers of thanksgiving and pray for the church, the world and all who yearn for new life.

With my prayer, "Lord, in your love," you are invited to respond, "HEAR OUR PRAYER."

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

A brief silence

2. God of promise continue to raise up leaders and workers in your church who are willing to serve you and your church. Give them vision, and when faced with challenges and disappointments uphold them with your spirit.

Lord, in your love: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

3. Creator God, open our eyes to the goodness and awesomeness of the universe. May our daily life and our daily choices be a witness to our neighbour of our love of Creation and our love of our Creator.

Lord, in your love: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

4. Lord of the church we pray for your guiding Spirit on this congregation, our neighboring congregations and on our sister congregations that together they might be resolute in their lives of servant hood. In particular this morning we pray for Ascension Lutheran Church in Nelson, and their pastor Nolan Gingrich; for Mount Zion Lutheran Church in New Westminster, and their pastor Marlys Moen. And we pray for Surrey Urban Mission and their Executive Director, and for the Lutheran Urban Ministry in Vancouver and their pastor, Brian Heinrich. May every congregation and all your servants reflect the God who chose to come into the midst of doubt, and suffering with a message of hope.

Lord, in your love: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

5. God of hope, shed the light of your mercy and peace among us and in the far corners of the world. Protect those who care for others even when their lives are threatened. Comfort and sustain all in our midst are suffering in body, mind or spirit, especially those we name aloud or quietly in our heart…

May all people know your peace which passes understanding in whatever circumstances they are experiencing. And may our acts of kindness be a source of encouragement to all we come in contact with in this coming week.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

6. God, the giver of every good gift, we give you thanks for all your blessings:

- We thank you for all who have the gift of another birthday or another anniversary, and for those who have known the gift of new life;

- we thank you for prophets of old and of the present who challenge the principalities and powers in their pride and indifference, and who even challenge us in our pride and indifference;

- we thank you for our gift of citizenship in this country and the precious, undeserved gift of our heavenly citizenship;

- we name our special, personal reasons for thankfulness aloud or quietly in our heart at this time…

Lord God, continue to open our eyes to the blessings we daily experience.

Lord, in your love: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

7. Our Lord and Saviour, continue to renew us daily in this time of Lenten preparation. Strengthen our faith in these difficult times and be with each of us as we pray, fast, meditate on your word and undertake acts of mercy in your name.

Lord, in your love: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

8. We give thanks for all who have died especially those whose memories are still precious in our lives. Cast out our doubt and our fear, and replace it with trust in your promise to be with us now and in death.

Lord, in your love: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

9. Almighty God, you have commanded us to pray, and you promise to hear us. Hear the prayers of your people and grant us all that we need, for the sake of the one in whose name we pray, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. AMEN.

Philippians 3:17-4:1

17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 41Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Luke 13:31-35

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." '