Worship Guide - Lent 3, Year A

Well, this is new! Welcome to the beginning of an experiment to be together with one another, even as we are not physically present. This may take some imagination and even courage! It will no doubt evolve. We encourage you to engage in worship in the ways that seem most authentic to you. Be bold too. Andrea made some good suggestions to families in her email: light a candle before you begin and look at how God's love for us glows and brightens our world. Pour some water into a bowl. Listen for the splash of the water; play in it; and remember God's love is poured out for us. Have bread and a cup handy. Don't just listen. Engage. Speak and sing along as much as you can. Draw a picture; share your prayers. Let us worship!

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Come, Let Us Worship!

God is here today;
as certain as the air I breathe,
as certain as the morning sun that rises,
as certain when I sing you’ll hear my song.

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Reflect on the Word

Exodus 17:1-7 † Psalm 95 † Romans 45:1-11 † John 4:5-42 

​So how was your week? Anything new?

I kid, I suppose, because it is important for us to laugh as often as we can, to hold onto a good humor, especially when things are rough, especially when anxiety is high and the future, much less, the present, is uncertain, especially as we work to navigate the narrow path between catastrophizing and magical thinking. It helps me to keep things in some perspective, or at least to make a good attempt! I suspect it may help all of us. It’s good for our health. It may even be good for the soul.

I was caught this week by this on several occasions. As you can imagine, it was a busier week for many of us. I spent a good bit of time working with the task force we’ve formed to consider and enact responses to the coronavirus outbreak. I am deeply grateful for these souls who have gathered together—by phone mostly—to offer a thoughtful St. Andrew response.
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All the while, I was mindful that it is important to consider what our work is and isn’t. I said to you in one communication this week that I believe the church and its good news is made for times just like this. And I think the Samaritan woman has been sticking around, waiting for us, for just a time as this.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving and Prayers of The People

Beloved of God, know that your prayers are held by this community, and heard by God. 
If you would like to share a particular joy or concern please do so here,
These will be shared by email to our St Andrew prayer list so that we pray for what you hold by name.
This information is not shared publicly. ​

God of Life; Fount of Living Water,
We give you thanks for life.

For your deep and enduring generosity and love
that holds us, call us, and inspires us.
For the resilience of your Spirit in us,
​and in all creation.

Draw us together us in prayer for the world,
God of Life, even as we must be apart....

For all who are thirsty--
thirsty for a life of meaning,
thirsty for a word of grace,
thirsty for a drink of water…
God of Life, hear our prayer

For all who are weary--
weary from life’s long journey,
           weary from quarreling and testing,
                     weary from pain or grief…
                               God of Life, hear our prayer.

For all who live in group settings, but are alone and scared;
                     residents in nursing homes, shelters, prisons, hospitals....

For those who have lost loved ones,
          who face economic hardship,
                    who have to be absent from learning environments, teachers and friends,
                               and who are isolated in dangerous environments.
                                             Send your strength and help us find ways to offer comfort and support.

For leaders locally, regionally, nationally and globally.
           Help us make wise decisions.
                      Help us to prioritize the good of the whole, and the health of the vulnerable.

God of Life, lead us into a world of compassion, justice and peace.
           Let your living waters still us, and center us in you, and your love for the world.  Amen .​

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Blessing

Worship the Lord your God in spirit and in truth,
in all that you say and do.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
springing up like living water, fill your heart,
and flow through your life.

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