Sent Out, Drawn Close
Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Lent
March 12, 2017

Call to Worship

Leader: 	O God, you send us out, like Abram and Sarai
People: 	We travel by day, in confidence

 		You draw us close, like Nicodemus
 		We travel by night, with questions

			With our hopes and our doubts
We embark on our journeys of faith

 		With the saints of every age
We seek the way that leads into your love 

We pause on our journey to praise you.
All:		And rejoice to find you with us, guiding every step 

Opening Prayer

Beckoning God, 
You plant in us urgent questions, wonderings, calls,
that lead us to You. 
You gather us into your Church:
Prophets and Ponderers;
Travelers and Builders;
You make room for us
and challenge us to be your Beloved Community. 
Bless us so that we may become a blessing in your world,
Doing your work of Justice, Hope, Truth, among all.

Call to Confession 
In these days of information overload,
we need to look and listen deeply for the call of the Spirit in our midst. 

Enlightening Spirit, when we get discouraged in seeking your Truth 
in the midst of bewilderment,
	Have mercy, and clear our eyes

Challenging Spirit, when witnessing to your Truth 
seems to take more courage than we have,
	Have mercy, and strengthen our determination

	Surprising Spirit, when we settle for half-truths 
in building your Beloved Community,
	Have mercy, and show us a better way.

Silence

	We know the love of God knows no bounds,
The Holy One who sent Jesus, the Only Begotten, 
to be our Way, our Truth and our Light.
Let us feel ourselves forgiven, and go forth with courage renewed.
Thanks be to God!

Offertory Sentences

	Let us give generously of our time, talent, treasure 
to further the work of God in our community.

Benediction

  	God’s love calls us into community to bless us.
God’s love sends us out into the wider community to be a blessing!
Let us go forth from here in peace, 
 		Bringing the blessing of 
God our Creator, 
Jesus Christ, our Wounded Healer, 
and Uncontainable Holy Spirit.

Amen!

Sent Out, Drawn Close: Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Lent was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Faith Formation: Curator for Worship and Liturgical Arts, United Church of Christ.

Copyright 2017 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.