Worship Booklet for Mar 4, 2018

Download the worship booklet for our worship gathering on March 4, 2018 (the Third Sunday of Lent):

The Table Worship Booklet Mar 4, 2018

And this is the Litany of Lament we will pray together (adapted from Fran Platt):

God, our hearts are hurting for our sisters and brothers who have been victims of corruption, exploitation, and abuse.

    Help us to help and care for them,
    and stand in solidarity with them.

For those who are victims of sexual violence we pray

    Lord, have mercy.

For those whose bodies and minds have been violated

    Christ, have mercy.

For those who have been overpowered physically or emotionally

    Be their refuge.

For those who have felt helpless in the face of power, used and exploited by leaders in the church and out

    Be their stronghold and help in trouble.

For those who have been snookered and hoodwinked, believed in someone only to find out they’d been swindled

    Be their comfort and healer.

For those who have felt too damaged in body or mind to go on

    Be their hope.

For those whom the legal system has failed,

    Fight for them, Oh God.

We acknowledge that violence is not the way of Jesus.

We acknowledge that Jesus doesn’t duck out, dodge, get away,
or get even, but puts his body where his mouth is on the cross
for our sins of corruption, exploitation and abuse.

We acknowledge that Jesus is our temple,
his resurrection reveals God’s presence among us.

We acknowledge that Christ did not wield coercive power
over people, but forgives, frees, and heals as we consent to his Kingdom.

We acknowledge that justice belongs to You,
    and we can trust You for it.

We acknowledge that Christ came to save the world;
the victim and the perpetrator,
the rich and the underprivileged,
the foolish and the wise.
The abuser and the abused
The con artist and the conned
The violent and the wounded

God, hear our prayer:

    We ask for justice,

        understanding that we may not see it this side of eternity.

    We ask for peace,

        which the Spirit of God is always offering here and now.

    We ask for mercy,

        for violence to cease.

    We ask for rest,

        that those traumatized may sleep each night
        in the peace of Your presence.

    We ask for redemption,

        for the perpetrators to repent and make amends.

    We ask for healing,

        for deep wounds to be mended.

    We ask for forgiveness,

        that victims may be free from seeking revenge,
        and perpetrators may be made new by the forgiveness of Christ.

    May Your kingdom come on earth.

        May Your love abound to all, redeeming all.