Lent Liturgy: Breathe on Me

Lenten Litugry

You are welcome to use the following worship service. Please feel free to use all or part of the following. You may substitute other appropriate songs for those suggested below.

If you do use this I just ask that you acknowledge the source as follows:

P = Presiding Minister

A = Assisting Minister

C = Congregation

You will need:

Votive Candles that can be passed down each row from person to person. Best would be one votive for each row.

Small (2x3 inches suggested) pieces of blank light weight paper for each person

Brazier to burn paper in

Lenten Liturgy

Order of Worship

Stand = Please stand as you are able. Sit = Please sit

Prelude

Sit

Meditation: Kyrie (Haugen, GIA Music) or other appropriate music sung by choir or played by instrumentalist(s)

During the Meditation the acolyte will bring lighted votive candles to each row. You may hold the votive for a few moments of meditation, then pass it to the person next to you. If desired, you may sing the Kyrie with the choir. When the Kyrie ends please blow out the candle and place on the floor under the pew.

Prayer for Forgiveness and Healing:

(Spoken over music)

Paper has been provided to write down problems or confessions that may be brought forward and burned as part of our prayer.

Sung Refrain: "Shepherd me, O God" Refrain only (Haugen) Gather Comprehensive 31, GIA Music

P: O Lord, you are indeed the healer of all our ills. We bring to you, Lord, our bodies, minds and spirits hurting and broken by the violence, ills, trauma and cares of a world separated from you. Come to us now with your healing powers.

C: Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.

A: O God, we ask that you heal us. Give us the strength, health, wisdom and knowledge found only through you. Send your life-giving Spirit so that we may live our lives with courage in the profound peace of your love. Come to us now with your healing powers.

C: Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.

P: O God, we ask that you sustain those who seek to alleviate the pain and suffering of this world. Give strength, courage, wisdom and knowledge to all doctors and orderlies, nurses and clerks, psychiatrists, researchers, and all other medical care givers, volunteers and professionals. Send your life-giving Spirit so that their ministries may bring healing and promote health. Come to us now with your healing powers.

C: Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.

A: Be also with those who work to heal the wounds of societies and nations. Guide, protect and strengthen our lawyers and police, chaplains and pastors, healthcare and social workers, politicians, military, diplomats and all others who work for economic and social reform. Send your life-giving Spirit that they may promote your love and grace, bringing healing to those in conflict and stability to those who are vulnerable. Come to us now with your healing powers.

C: Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.

Sung Refrain: "Shepherd me, O God" Refrain only (Haugen) Gather Comprehensive 31, GIA Music

P: (spoken over music) As a parent embraces a wounded child so does God reach out and hold close all of us: not caring if our wounds were self-inflicted or received from others; not caring if our scars of mind and body are pitiful or ugly, not caring about what we were or are, what we have done or not done. As a wounded child we cry out and run into God's embrace and God not only accepts, but welcomes and loves us, cleaning, healing, and restoring us to wholeness of heart, mind, body and soul.

A: Heal me, O God,

C: For I have sinned.

Sung Refrain: "Shepherd me, O God" Refrain only (Haugen) Gather Comprehensive 31, GIA Music

A: (spoken over music) Merciful God,

C: I confess that I am broken. I have lived a lie by inaction, hurt others without thinking, not done what you have asked me to do.

A: Heal me, O God,

C: For I have sinned.

Silence

A: (spoken over music) Merciful God,

C: I confess that I am broken. I have acted in spite, hurt others by my words and deeds, deliberately done what is wrong.

A: Heal me, O God,

C: For I have sinned.

Silence

A: (spoken over music) Merciful God,

C: I confess that I am broken. I have lived for myself and not for others, judged where I should forgive, belittled where I should have built up. O Lord, I have not done justice or walked always with you.

A: Heal me, O God,

C: For I have sinned.

Silence

Sung Refrain: "Shepherd me, O God" Refrain only (Haugen) Gather Comprehensive 31, GIA Music

Silence

(During the silence you may write your problem or concern on your paper)

The Blessing of Healing:

(Music begins)

At this time you may come forward to the brazier with your paper and place it in the fire to be burned.

You may then go, one or two at a time, to the altar rails for a Blessing for Healing, or you may return to your seat.

When all have returned to their seats the Assistant continues.

A: Lord God, Healer of us all, you hear our cries of pain, even those so deep that they are silent. You see every wound of body, mind, and spirit; those inflicted upon us and those we have inflicted. You see us: imperfect, guilty, hurting, angry, scared, helpless, confused. You see us; touch us; mend us.

C: Amen.

P: God so loved this world and this people that God sent Christ to suffer and die for all. Accept now that gift. Know that you are forgiven, reconciled, accepted and loved.

C: Amen.

Stand

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

A: Let us pray,

The Prayer of the Day is said in unison.

C: Amen.

Sit

Lesson Song or Psalm of the Day

First Lesson

Silence for Reflection

Second Lesson

Silence for Reflection

Stand

Gospel:

P: The Holy Gospel is written in ______.

C: Praise be to God.

The Holy Gospel is read.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Sit

Music for Meditation

Message

Stand

Theme Song

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth;

I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord;

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,

and born of the Virgin Mary,

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day He rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Continued

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. AMEN.

Community Prayers

P: Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

All may share the Peace of the Lord.

Sit

Offering

Stand

Offering Song

Offering Prayer

Eucharistic Prayer

Words of Institution:

P: For the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and after giving thanks, He broke it and said,

"This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, saying,

"This cup is the new covenant which is in My blood; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

Let us pray,

Lord's Prayer (sung, if possible)

P: Even in the dark places of this world God's love lives in our hearts and shines in those around us, giving us joy, calling us to declare to all we meet,

C: Taste and see that God is good!

Sit

Those wishing to partake of Holy Communion may come forward to receive the bread and wine.

Stand

P: May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God's grace, now and always.

C: Amen.

Prayer

Blessing:

P: The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,

And be caring towards you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

C: Amen.

Sit

Community Announcements

Stand

Sending Song

Postlude