Worship Guide - Lent 5, Year A

It’s good to be able to connect here in worship as we find ourselves separated physically. We’ll look together for good news; for the one who promises life even as we may feel cut off from what we need. 

So, join as you are able. Read, watch, reflect, listen, sing and know that you are not alone.  If it helps set the space as others have done. Light a candle, pour some water. Play in it. Have bread, a cracker, a cup handy. Engage. Let us worship!

​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 online in a searchable form.

​Gathering Song

Enter in

       Lord God, Great I AM,
       you are resurrection and life.
       As we worship you this day show us who we are:
       Your beloved;
       never forsaken;
       bearers of hope and mercy. Amen.

Opening Hymn

Confession

Reflect on the word

Let us pray...
​O Lord, we wait for you,
and in your Word we trust.
By the power of your Spirit,
set our hearts and minds
on the source of life and peace:
Jesus Christ our Savior.
​Amen

​Ezekiel 37:1-14 † Psalm 130 † Romans 8:6-11† John 11:1-45

Reflection

​For a text version of this week's reflection, follow this link. Otherwise, watch below:

Sing in Response

​Prayer of Thanksgiving and Prayers of the People

These days we ask, O God, ‘can our hopes live?”
And you whisper to us,
‘look to the buds on the trees eager to burst;
notice the flowers poking their heads out of the dirt;
watch the children chalking spring on the sidewalks.’
And we see how you love us, God of steadfast love.

In these moments we wonder, ‘can our compassion live?”
And you tell us, 
‘wipe the tears of a worried father over his son's illness;
ease the weariness of a mother facing a long shift at work;
shop for the neighbor who has no family.’
And we see how you love us, our Resurrection and our Life.

In the shadows of each night, we cry out, ‘can our love live?”
And you sing to us,
‘witness the touch of a wife on her spouse’s papery skin;
pay attention to the birds that dance on the breath of the wind;
share the words you are given to offer to the empty-hearted.
And we see how you love us, Healer of our souls.

Let us pray to the One,
who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For all who are affected by illness, including coronavirus,
through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For those who are guiding our nations at this time,
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the unhoused, for those trapped in civil war and genocide,
for the gravely ill, and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
For those we have remembered together as a community of faith,
and those we remember now, wherever we are…


Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.

Set our minds on your Holy Spirit, in whom we find our life and true peace.
Let the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead,
give life to our bodies,
resurrect our hopes,
and give light to our souls.

So, we pray boldly as our savior has taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.

​Blessing and Charge

Beloved Siblings,
Go into this week ahead with great love for each other,
great trust in the mercy and hope that holds us
and with great compassion for yourself.

May the Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the resurrection and the life,
bless and keep you in this life
and the life to come.
Amen

Engage

1. Missing your friends? Join us this afternoon at 3pm via Zoom for fellowship. Instructions here.
2. If you need to catch up on what's happening at St. Andrew, you can find links to our newsletter archive here. And if you're not receiving the newsletter, you can subscribe.
2. If you're not receiving the separate St. Andrew Prayers email, you can email Patti Warden and be added.
3. Take a picture of you're at-home worship space and share it. 
4. Download the Connections resources for kids here.
5. We're looking for people willing to read or enact scriptures for the three days. Are you interested? Link here to a sign-up sheet.
​6. Or just reach out to someone you're missing. Give them a call or video chat and check in. You can find the church directory here (password protected).