For February 28, 2016 -- Lent 3

OPENING PRAYER

Creator of heaven and earth, Lord of all, in whom we live and move and have our being;

we gather together for worship.

In this time together,

open our eyes and ears, minds and souls to your strength and wisdom.

And when our worship draws to a close,

send us back out as stewards of the gifts you have given us, to love and serve and share.

We pray in the name of Christ, whose name we bear, and who taught us to pray together saying...

PRAYER FOR AND ASSURANCE OF GRACE

God of Grace, we join the witness of ages saying:

“The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof”

And yet we live in a world where others say:
“What's mine is mine”

and:

“Give me my due”

And we follow the one who says:

“Render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's”

God of wisdom, in the face of such competing claims,

help us find the path of wisdom and grace.

...time of silent prayer...

In Grace God offers us perspective. In Grace God gives us the ability to choose. In Grace God challenges us to use what we have been given to uphold and support God's Kingdom, for all that we have, do and are comes from and belongs to God.

Thanks to the Gift-Giver, in whom we live and move and have our being. Amen.

COMMISSIONING:

We have gathered, we have prayed, we have sung, we have listened.

Now we go out to continue our work in and for the Kingdom.

We have been reminded that the world and everything in it belongs to God.

And we recommit ourselves to use those gifts wisely.

Go now, as ambassadors of God's Kingdom.

To share God's love, to respond to competing claims for our loyalty and time and treasure.

And as you go, trust that God is with you each minute of every day.

Guiding, supporting, and challenging. Thanks be to God. Amen.