Prayers for the Journey
First Sunday of Lent 
February 22, 2014

Genesis 9:8-17		 Psalm 25:1-10 	I Peter 3:18-22 	Mark 1:9-15

Call to Worship:  -adapted from Ps 25, 1-3
One:	To you, O GOD, we lift up the spirit of our whole selves. 
All:    	O God, we trust unashamedly in you; 
seeking that you be not ashamed of us; 
One: 	May we begin our Lenten journey together in right relationships; 
All:   	Teach us. Show us. Guide us in your paths. 
  	 	Grow us to know your ways more clearly.
One: 	You are the God of our salvation and the Sustainer of good relations.
All:     For you we wait. 
One:   May integrity, a clean conscience, and upright living preserve us.
All:    Amen.

Invocation: (Unison)  
	As in days of old, Creator God, 
	we come to look for your signs of covenant promises.  
	Like the rainbow days of Noah, we see and know your signs 
	and hear your voice again 
	directing us to the places of preparation 
	and transformation in our lives and in our world. 
	Thank you God for your covenant signs in this season of Lent.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession:
Call:  
	Sisters and Brothers, in our daily lives 
	we need the gift of the season of Lent.  
	These 40 days can help us restore right relationships 
	with God and with others.  
	This is a fine time to focus, 
	clear our hearts and minds of distractions, 
	and re-orient and restore our whole selves. 
	May God be with us.  Let us pray:

Prayer:  
	Creating and Renewing God.  
	In this Lenten season I need the opportunity 
	to clear my eyes of the glaze of indifference and apathy.  
	Help me get my mind off my distractions, obsessions and self pity
	so that I don't feel helpless. 
	Help me to start over.  
	Re-orient my head and heart 
	so that I may fill my whole self 
	with life-affirming activities and thoughts.  
	May I be in right relationship with you and all your creation 
	and join the United Church of Christ 
	in over-coming violence, hunger, and injustice.  
	May I find courage and clarity to assist me 
	in works of justice and compassion 
	which make daily life bearable for many. 
	In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Assurance of God's Steadfastness:  
	Brothers and Sisters, 
	God hears our prayers and, even in our human frailty, 
	promises to be with us in the wilderness times.  
	Observe, find comfort, and offer with courage 
	to restore and build relationships among God's people.  
	Experience a new and renewed sense of hope. Amen.
 
Children’s Story
	Worship Leader may wish to use Hettie’s Story, part two, found online as Children’s Story for Lent 1—February 26

Call to Offering:  
	Psalm 25:10 reminds us, 
	"All the paths of God are steadfast love and faithfulness 
	for those who keep God's covenant and decrees."  
	Our church's ministries are extensions of God's love 
	and faithfulness made possible through the generous giving
	of our time, energy, and money.  
	With love let us offer our gifts to God.

Dedication: 
	God of all bounty and blessing, 
	receive our lives and our gifts 
	to be bounty and blessings 
	to you, our church, and the world. Amen.

Benediction:  
	Mindful of your mercy, forgiveness, and instruction, O God, 
	we go into the world renewed, refreshed, 
	and full of courage to be your people.  
	We go in peace to work for justice. Amen.  

Prayers for the Journey: Service Prayers for the First Sunday of Lent was written by the Rev. Rosemary McCombs Maxey, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is retired clergy and a member of Fellowship Congregational United Church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Copyright 2014 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.