A reading from Psalm 32
A prayer for the week:
God of mercy, your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing. Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation, that we who have been set free from sin by Christ may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.
A reading from Romans 5:12-19
A prayer for the week:
God of mercy, your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing. Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation, that we who have been set free from sin by Christ may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.
A reading from Psalm 25:1-10
A prayer for the week:
God of mercy, your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing. Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation, that we who have been set free from sin by Christ may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.
A reading from Matthew 4:1-11
A prayer for the week:
God of mercy, your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing. Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation, that we who have been set free from sin by Christ may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.
As carriers of the death and life of Christ, we are conformed and transformed into the image of Christ. Our identification with and participation in the cross of Christ informs every aspect of our lives and our relationships.
A reading from Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-10
A prayer for the week:
God of mercy, your word was the sure defense of Jesus in his time of testing. Minister to us in the wilderness of our temptation, that we who have been set free from sin by Christ may serve you well into life everlasting. Amen.
A reading from 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
A prayer for this week:
Righteous God, in humility and repentance we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving, we bring the pain we have caused others, we bring the injustice on society of which we are a part, to the transforming power of your grace. Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign, that we may walk with you in the promise of peace You have willed for all the children of the earth, and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
A reading from Psalm 51
A prayer for this week:
Righteous God, in humility and repentance we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving, we bring the pain we have caused others, we bring the injustice on society of which we are a part, to the transforming power of your grace. Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign, that we may walk with you in the promise of peace You have willed for all the children of the earth, and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
A reading from Isaiah 53
A prayer for this week:
Righteous God, in humility and repentance we bring our failures in caring, helping, and loving, we bring the pain we have caused others, we bring the injustice on society of which we are a part, to the transforming power of your grace. Grant us the courage to accept the healing you offer and to turn again toward the sunrise of your reign, that we may walk with you in the promise of peace You have willed for all the children of the earth, and have made known to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The pilgrimage that takes place during these songs of ascents is both an invitation and a command of and to the people. This is also true for blessing – we are invited to bless the lord and commanded to bless the lord. Our feelings about the need for perfect honesty or authenticity don’t change that. Bless the lord. Lift your arms and eyes.
