A Traditional Service For The Sundays Of Lent

The following service is a creative adaptation of the traditional pattern and texts for worship in the season of Lent. It will be of particular help for those who plan more formal Lenten worship. For those with nonliturgical backgrounds, the commentary included with this service will provide a guide to thoughtful planning for the Lenten season. This basic service, with variation of Scripture, hymns, and prayers, may be used for all the Sundays of Lent.

ENTRANCE INTO GOD'S PRESENCE Commentary: The visual environment for Lenten worship should suggest the penitential nature of the season. Purple, suggesting penitence, is most commonly used color, in addition to dark grays and earth tones. Common Lenten symbols include the cross and images of a desert or a pilgrimage. Fabrics used for communion table, paraments, or banner construction can appropriately be of rough, unrefined quality. The presentation of any colors or symbols should be understated, both to reflect the meditative nature of Lent and to set up a large contrast with the resplendent colors and symbols that can be used during Easter celebrations. Gathering of the Congregation (with Organ, Piano, or Instrumental Prelude) Commentary: The people may gather in silence during the season of Lent, calling attention to the penitential nature of the season. Call to Worship Leader: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity (Joel 2:12–13). People: In this service of worship and penitence, we offer our hearts to God. Commentary: This passage from the prophecy of Joel is traditionally read during the Ash Wednesday service. Using it throughout Lent can unify a congregation's focus on the important Lenten themes of renewal and penitence. Prayer for Purity Leader: Let us pray. People: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Commentary: This prayer is used by many churches to begin their worship service each week of the Christian year. The nature of the text as a humble approach to God makes it especially appropriate for use during Lent. Greeting Pastor: Grace to you and peace from God and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our gracious God, to whom be glory forever and ever. People: Amen. Hymn: "God Himself Is with Us" Commentary: The opening hymn may feature a text that focuses on the approach of the worshiper to God. It is traditional that Lenten services do not include the acclamation "Alleluia." ACTS OF PENITENCE Commentary: If the sermon includes a call to penitence, this section of the service may appropriately follow the sermon and precede Communion. Invitation to Penitence Leader: People of God, in his Word to us, the Lord has given us instruction regarding his will for our lives. Hear now the law of God: (Read from Exod. 20; Deut. 5; or Matt. 22:37–40) Commentary: The law of God, as summarized in the Ten Commandments or by Jesus in Matthew 22, is used by some churches for each service in the Christian year. It may be used prior to confession, as a teacher of sin, reminding us of God's standard for living, or it may be used following the declaration of pardon as a guide to Christian discipleship. Leader: Having heard again the standard for life in God's world, let us join in a spirit of humility and confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Prayers of Confession Commentary: Each of the following three prayers of confession may be concluded with a sung prayer of confession. Settings of a portion of Psalm 51 or other penitential psalms are appropriate for use, as are general hymns of confession. These may be effectively sung by an unaccompanied solo voice or small choral ensemble and then extended to include the entire congregation. This service suggests the use of the three successive stanzas of the hymn, "God Be Merciful to Me," with one stanza to be used after each spoken prayer. Confession for Sins of the Human Race Almighty God, whose will it is to hold all your people in peace, we hear your word. We know the importance of confession. In your presence, we confess the sins of our human race: pride that has led to war, neglect that has caused poverty, greed that has polluted your earth, lust that has led to pornography, hatred that has fostered racism. We know that we share in these sins; in moments of meditation we feel now the weight of these sins … [silence] ending with solo: "God, Be Merciful to Me" Confession for Sins of the Local Church and Community Almighty God, whose will it is that we should live in unity. We hear your Word, we know the importance of confession. In your presence, we now confess to each other the sins of our own community and congregation: failing to support each other in community injuring each other with dishonest words failing to acknowledge the gifts of those of another sex, race, ethnic background, or area of special gift or interest failing to thank you for the good gifts which you have given to our community. In moments of silence, we now pray in confession to you … [silence] ending with solo: "Gracious God, My Heart Renew" Confession for Individual Sins Almighty God, whose will it is to love us, We confess to you our own private sins. May our honesty before you not lead to guilt, but rather to an assurance of your pardon through Jesus Christ our Lord. O God hear our prayers … ending with congregation singing: Contrite spirit, pleading cries, you, O God, will not despise. Sinful ways I will reprove, and my tongue shall sing your love. Let my righteous sacrifice then delight your holy eyes! Commentary: A shorter prayer of confession may be substituted for this extended prayer, allowing for the reading of a penitential psalm during each week in Lent. The penitential psalms are Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. Many of these psalms also appear as suggestions for use in Lent by various lectionaries. Declaration of Pardon and Thanksgiving Leader: O God, gracious God, you are with us. Help us in this silence to sense the power of your presence. (moment of silence) Leader: You are a great God. You are a gracious God. And this is your Word to us: People: "There is no one who is righteous, not even one; there is no one who has understanding, there is no one who seeks God" Leader: You are a great God. You are a gracious God. And this is your Word to us: People: "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord." Leader: You are a great God. You are a gracious God. And this is your Word to us: People: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Leader: You are a great God. For your good gift to us, we respond with joy: People: Thanks be to God! Leader: And we sing your praise: People: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see. Commentary: Alternate expressions of thanksgiving, including choral or solo anthems, may be chosen. The canticle, "Glory to God in the Highest," however, is not traditionally sung during Lent. 'PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD Prayer for Illumination People: Spirit of God, open our hearts now to your Word, that our Lenten journey may be shaped by your will, that we may walk in the way of Jesus Christ, and bring honor and glory to his name. Amen. Commentary: The following readings are based on the suggestions of one lectionary for the first Sunday in Lent. Old Testament Reading: Genesis 2:4–3:7 Psalm: Psalm 130 Commentary: If the congregation uses a penitential psalm earlier in the service and a psalm of dedication later in the service, worship planners may wish to omit the reading of a psalm at this point. The psalm may be sung by the choir or congregation. Musical resources for singing the psalms are included in the commentary with the Pentecost service in this series. New Testament Reading: Romans 5:12–19 Sermon Commentary: Sermons during Lent may appropriately be based on scriptural passages and themes that address Christian penitence and discipleship. These themes anticipate the focus upon Christ's passion, which should be left for Holy Week itself. ACTS OF DEDICATION Statement of Faith: The Apostles' Creed Commentary: Alternate statements of faith may be taken from traditional catechisms or denominational affirmations or confessions of belief. Scriptural affirmations may be drawn from several of Paul's epistles, especially from chapters like Romans 8, Colossians 1, and Philippians 2. Concerns of the Congregation Commentary: At this point, members of the congregation may make known to each other concerns for mutual prayer. These may be announced by the pastor or lay worship leader, by church members assigned to monitor the prayer needs of the congregation, or by individual worshipers in a time of sharing reasons for thanksgiving and intercession. Prayers of the People Pastor: Let us pray for the church, Leader: Almighty and everlasting God, we trust your promise to bring us to the full knowledge of salvation. In this season of penitence, grant us your presence in special measure, restore our vision for your kingdom, inspire us by the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord, that we may be a bold witness to the world. Lord, in your mercy, People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Let us pray for the concerns of the local community, Leader: Almighty and everlasting God, we trust your promise to never leave or forsake us. We ask your blessing to rest upon [names of the sick may be mentioned] and others who suffer from illness; upon [names of those engaged in special ministry may be mentioned] and others who serve this community in your name; upon [names of those who have requested prayers may be mentioned] and others whose anonymous needs are known only to you. Lord, in your mercy, People: Hear our prayer. Pastor: Let us pray for our Lenten journey, Leader: Gracious God, we trust in the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We ask you to sustain this in our Lenten pilgrimage. Continue to teach us by your Word. Give us courage to live out the Word we have just heard read and preached. Prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Christ's death and for the celebration of his coming to life. Lord, in your mercy, People: Hear our prayer. Commentary: Other forms for the prayers of the people are found in other services in this series. This form of prayer may be extended to include as many sections as may be appropriate in local congregations. Act of Dedication Commentary: In addition to the theme of humble penitence which is essential to the season, Lent provides an important opportunity for individual recommitment to the faith and to lives fashioned after Christ's will. This would be an appropriate occasion for individuals in the congregation to be commissioned for service in some aspect of the church's ministry. Psalm of Dedication: Psalm 116 Commentary: The Psalms are replete with expressions of dedication, such "I will fulfill my vows … " or "I will sing praise to the Lord … " A different psalm of dedication may be used in this place during each week of Lent, chosen for its individual appropriateness to the sermon topic of the day. The psalm may be read or sung. Offertory Leader: 2 Corinthians 8:9 Let us bring the offerings of our lives and the meditations of our heart to the Lord. Offerings of money are received for … Offerings of music are [name of offertory music that may be played or sung.] Offerings of personal prayers to God may focus on [the text of the sermon]. Offerings of bread and wine for the feast of the Lord are made by [name of persons presenting the element for the Lord's Supper.] Commentary: These four sentences call attention to the many-faceted nature of the congregation's giving. It may be especially helpful to print the text of any offertory music that is played or sung, or to print the text of the sermon if it has not already been printed, so as to guide the reflections of the people during this time. Gifts of money may be received from the people where they are seated, or people may be invited to come forward to place their gifts in offertory baskets in the front of the sanctuary. Doxology: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" Commentary: During the doxology, members of the congregation may bring forward the elements for the sacrament and the monetary gifts which have been received. CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT Commentary: The following liturgy for the Lord's Supper is presented as a dialogue between God and the worshiper, alternating between the readings of God's Word and the response of the congregation. This structure is common to many Christian liturgies, both for entire services and for the Lord's Supper. Presenting the Lord's Supper liturgy in this way calls the dialogic nature of worship to the attention of the worshiper. While this structure may be used at any time, it is especially appropriate for use in Lent, a season which focuses on the Christian's penitent response to the gospel message. The dialogic nature of this liturgy may be reinforced by having each of the "Word of God" sections read by a pastor or an elder from the pulpit and having each of the "Response of the People" sections led by a layperson from within the congregation. ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOD'S GRACE The Word of God Leader: Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Those who come to me shall not hunger, and those who believe in me shall never thirst." "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (John 6:35, Matt. 5:6) The Response of the People The Passing of the Peace People [to each other]: May God give you peace and nourish you in his meal. The Prayer of Thanksgiving Leader: Let us pray. People: Lord God, we praise you for providing us with nourishment for body and soul in our journey of faith. Accept now the praises of our hearts. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. People: It is fitting for us at all times and in all places to give thanks to you, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God. Leader: We bless you for creating us in your image, for remaking us after the image of your Son. With humble and penitent hearts and minds, we acknowledge your greatness and the splendor of your presence. We join, therefore, with all your saints and angels in bringing you praise: People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Commentary: Most hymnals include a setting of this traditional canticle. For a list of service music found in a representative group of hymnals, consult the commentary to the Communion liturgy of the Advent service in this series. Leader: We bring our thanks to you, for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: the Bread of Life, who came to nourish his children; the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sins of the world, the Servant of the Most High, who remained obedient even to death by execution. For this love for us, for the joyous news of the gospel, for the privilege of walking in the way of our Lord, we bring our praise. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOD'S GIFT OF THE SACRAMENT The Word of God, the Institution Leader: The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. The Response of the People, the Memorial Leader: People of God, what do you proclaim in this feast? People: We proclaim that our Lord Jesus Christ, died as payment for our sins, rose again as victor over death, and will come again in glory. THE INVITATION TO THE TABLE The Word of God Leader: Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:28–29). The Response of the People, the Prayer of Consecration People: Eternal God, we accept our Savior's invitation. We come to his table in search of rest and peace. Send your Holy Spirit to us, that these gifts may be for us the bread of life and that we may be for the world the body of Christ. Amen. Pastor: Friends in Christ, the Lord has prepared his table for his church. All who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation are now invited to come to the table of the Lord. People: We come with gladness. Thanks be to God! Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God. THE COMMUNION The Word of God Pastor: (as the people take the bread) Take eat, remember and believe that the body of the Lord Jesus Christ was given for the complete remission of all our sins. Pastor: (as the people take the cup) Take, drink, remember and believe that the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins. Commentary: A very appropriate sacramental hymn for use at this point is "Lamb of God." See the Maundy Thursday service in this series. Other Communion hymns can appropriately focus on the nature of God's grace to us, centered in the person of Jesus Christ. The Response of the People, the Thanksgiving Psalm 103 Commentary: The psalm may be read responsively or sung. DEPARTURE TO SERVE Commentary: The following texts call attention to themes of personal renewal and obedience which are especially highlighted during the season of Lent. Charge to the People Pastor: Go into the world in peace. Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37–39). Commentary: An alternate text should be chosen if this summary of the law is read earlier in the service (see the invitation to penitence). People: We promise our devotion to God and love to our neighbors. Hymn of Dedication (Recessional) Benediction Pastor: May the God of peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. People: Amen. or Pastor: Almighty God, go now with your people, grant them the peace of your presence, and guide them into ways of holiness and truth. People: Amen. Commentary: See benediction for the Ash Wednesday service. Dispersal of the Congregation (with Organ, Piano, or Instrumental Postlude) Commentary: The people may also disperse in silence during Lent, although this use of silence may most effectively be reserved for use during Holy Week.