St. Stephen Lutheran ChurchCreated for Community:A Midweek Lenten Series

February 23, March 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2021

Created for Community: A Midweek Lenten Series

OPENING DIALOGUEBehold, now is the acceptable time;now is the day of salvation.Turn us again, O God of our salvation,that the light of your face may shine on us.May your justice shine like the sun;and may the poor be lifted up.

GATHERING SONG – I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

OPENING PRAYERENGAGING WITH SCRIPTURE - Lectio divina

Week 1 - In community with creation - Mark 4:35-41

Week 2 - In community with all the saints - Mark 9:2-8

Week 3 - In community with our neighbor - Mark 2:1-12

Week 4 - In community with those on the margins - Mark 5:1-20

Week 5 - In community with Christ - Mark 10:32-45

PRAYERS

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus,and especially for all who are suffering or are in any affliction.

Merciful God, you sent your Son to be our peace.Help all those who suffer any pain or grief, hopelessness or anxiety.In your great mercy, hear us, O God.

Mighty God, mercifully grant strength to the weakand comfort to those who suffer,that their sickness and pain may be turned into health.In your great mercy, hear us, O God.

God of peace and reconciliation,bring an end to the sickness of the world,especially violence, terrorism, war, and their causes.In your great mercy, hear us, O God.

Holy God, Holy One, your Son prayed that your people may be one.May the gift of baptism be a powerfor healing the church’s brokenness,and bless all efforts for renewal and Christian unity.In your great mercy, hear us, O God.

Loving God, mend broken relationships and bring peaceto our families, our congregation, this community, and the world.In your great mercy, hear us, O God.

Other petitions may be offered, including particular needs and requests for healing.

Eternal God, we thank you for all the faithful departed.Heal the pain of all who grieve.In your great mercy, hear us, O God.

O God, we bring these intercessions before you,knowing that you will hear us as you have promised,and will answer according to the mercyshown in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR HEALINGSiblings in Christ, I invite you to receive a word of healing and wholeness in the name of the triune God.

Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake,

send your Holy Spirit upon your servants gathered here tonight and those we hold in our hearts:(here we may mention the names of those in our lives in need of healing and restoration)drive away all sickness of body and spirit;make whole that which is broken;deliver us from the power of evil;and preserve us in true faith,to share in the power of Christ’s resurrectionand to serve you with all the saints now and evermore. Amen.

BLESSINGThe Creator who fashions us together with all things,the Christ who leads us into a new beloved community,the Spirit who holds us in the communion of saints,one God, ☩ bless you now and always. Amen.

SENDING SONG Go, My Children, with My Blessing, verses 1 & 4

“Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.In my love’s baptismal riverI have made you mine forever.Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.

“I the Lord will bless and keep you, and give you peace.I the Lord will smile upon you, and give you peace.I the Lord will be your Father,Savior, Comforter and Brother.Go, my children, I will keep you, and give you peace.”

DISMISSALGo in peace, joined together in Christ.Thanks be to God.

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