The First Sunday in Lent One Change is

The First Sunday in Lent One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. Each day is filled with new possibilities. All: All creation is in God’s hands so we put our trust in God.

The First Sunday in Lent One: Change is a part of God’s plan. Out of nothing, God created all things. God called it good. All: As our lives unfold, God is with us. We need not fear. One: God has good plans for us. Plans to bring us wholeness and peace. All: God is with us in our journey of becoming, guiding our steps all the way.

The First Sunday in Lent One: Let us pray. All: Creator God, we begin our Lenten journey trusting that you are actively involved in our lives. Whatever circumstance comes our way, we can remain secure in your steadfast love, and courageous as we venture into the new life you have in store for us. Change is very much a part of life as you have created it. Help us to navigate each day, seeking your ways through the power of your Holy Spirit, honouring Christ in all that we do. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

The Second Sunday in Lent One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. A time will come when the oppressed are set free from the chains of bondage. All: As we submit our faith and our lives to Christ, all of us are liberated and set free from the patterns and sins that keep us captive.

The Second Sunday in Lent One: The Hebrew people felt abandoned by God especially when they were slaves in Egypt. It was hard for them to believe that their suffering would ever change. All: But it did. In due time, God called Moses to lead them out of Egypt. One: Sometimes change is gradual and other times it is overnight. One day the Israelites were being whipped and forced to make bricks, the next they were crossing the Red Sea on dry ground. All: Anything is possible with God.

The Second Sunday in Lent One: Let us pray. All: Liberating God, you can turn any heartache to joy and any hardship into victory. When our lives seem out of control, it is hard to recognize your saving presence. Come to us in our times of doubt and despair and remind us of your guiding love. Come to us when we feel overwhelmed and remind us of your sovereign power. Help us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

The Third Sunday in Lent One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. God hears the desires of our hearts and chooses what is best for us. All: God draws us into a deeper relationship, offering us compassion, mercy and vision.

The Third Sunday in Lent One: When the Israelites begged God for a King to rule them instead of judges, God provided them Saul and then David. All: God hears and responds to our plans as long as they honour God’s will and ways.

The Third Sunday in Lent One: While we don’t always recognize it, sometimes our dreams can be distorted, harmful and not consistent with God’s principles. All: We praise God for the times in our lives when God has said “yes” and also when God has said “no. ”

The Third Sunday in Lent One: Let us pray. All: All-knowing God, we recognize that you know us better than we know ourselves. As you walk with us in our journey to Christian maturity, we know that you are providing us guidance and wisdom. Help us to seek your ways and to be patient in those times when you are correcting us, or guiding us toward a path which we have not considered. Forgive us for the times we resist the change you ask for and also for the times when we are impatient. Recognizing our limitations in seeing the whole picture, help us to put our trust in you. Help us to follow Christ’s way as we pray. Amen.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. Even when we deliberately disobey and turn away, we are still loved by God. All: God will not give up on us.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent One: When the Israelites strayed away and worshipped other gods, God provided prophets who spoke the truth. They called God’s people back to worship and service. All: While Christ has shown us the way, we too can ignore God’s call and turn our backs on the example Christ set for us.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent One: God breaks into our stubbornness and waywardness, inviting us to change our ways so that we may fully know the joy and peace that is offered to us in following Jesus Christ. All: May we have the courage to hear, change and align ourselves with Christ.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent One: Let us pray. All: Persistent God, we thank you that you come to us in a still, small voice to provide comfort and guidance. Other times you speak to us boldly and clearly through your Word, worship and other Christians. Help us to listen for your voice and to be willing to change our ways to be your faithful servants. Break into our stubborn resistance and self-protective patterns and call us back to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, prophet, priest and king, we pray, Amen.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. God can come to us in surprising ways when we least expect it. All: God’s self-revelation happens anywhere anytime. The wind blows where it will.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent One: We should not be surprised since God chose to come in human flesh in Jesus Christ. Born in a stable and living the life of a carpenter’s son, Jesus ultimately helps us to see and receive the love of God. All: Christ continues to be incarnate in our lives, offering us love, forgiveness and a purpose.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent One: None of us could ever imagine that God would go to such lengths to show us the height, depth and breadth of God’s love. All: Christ was even willing to give up his life for us.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent One: Let us pray. All: Surprising God, you have constantly come to us in ways we could not imagine. You came in human flesh in Jesus Christ. You can cause a crocus to blossom in the desert and a boy’s lunch to feed thousands. Your presence in our lives is limited only by our own capacity to see and understand. Help us to recognize your guiding, comforting presence, digging deeper in our Christian journey to understand the meaning of Christ’s incarnation. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Palm/Passion Sunday One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. Even when life seems to change direction, God is offering a new way of being. All: Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey demonstrating he, indeed, was the expected Messiah.

Palm/Passion Sunday One: But his message came with a twist. Instead of entering triumphantly on a horse as a victorious King, he came as One offering peace. All: The expectations of the crowd blinded them to the true message and soon they would change from shouting, “Hosanna” to “Crucify. ”

Palm/Passion Sunday One: Their hope was defined in one way, that a Messiah would come and defeat the Romans and make them victorious. They were unable to change their long-held assumptions and in the end, sent Jesus to his death. All: Little did they know that Jesus entered Jerusalem to conquer much more than the Romans. He came to defeat sin and death itself.

Palm/Passion Sunday One: Let us pray. All: O holy One, blessed are you for you come in the name of the Lord. We are humbled, O God, by the magnitude of your plans compared to our own. We recognize that we can be blinded by our expectations and often we are unwilling to see a different way. May Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem remind us that much more can be going on than we are able to see or comprehend. Make us open to change our ideas and our ways, in order that we may embrace your Truth. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday: One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. Even in the darkest moments of suffering and pain God’s purposes can be accomplished. All: Jesus Christ was whipped, ridiculed and crucified for all people.

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday: One: While completely innocent, Jesus died a gruelling death on the cross to show us the way to God’s love and grace. All: The greatest hour of defeat, suffering and humiliation was the moment of victory, honour and glory.

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday: One: Jesus Christ died for you and for me. Let us respond to God’s grace freely, by living lives worthy of this immeasurable gift. All: We will take up our cross and serve our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday: One: Let us pray. All: Gracious God, the gift of Christ’s death on the cross for each one of us is beyond our understanding. We could never begin to thank you for the huge sacrifice made on our behalf. We can only offer our hearts, minds and souls in your service. Ultimately, we can express our gratitude through worship of you and through sharing this gift of love with others. Help us to make the necessary sacrifices to follow your calling. Help us to change our lives to model ourselves after Christ, even onto the cross. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Easter Sunday One: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding. Jesus has conquered death and is risen. Hallelujah! All: God’s only son was given so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. We celebrate Christ’s victory and the power of God’s love to transform the world and each one of us.

Easter Sunday One: Christ has come and he promises that he will come again. All: We wait with eager longing and we serve Christ knowing his promises are true. One: Meanwhile, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide and enlighten us. We can do our best to bring about Christ’s realm in our time and place. We can live our lives as Christ’s hands and feet, showing others Christ’s love. All: Change is coming, for God’s plans are unfolding.

Easter Sunday One: Let us pray. All: Loving God, we know because of Christ that love is stronger than hatred, forgiveness is stronger than revenge and compassion is stronger than legalism. We know that humility can defeat domination and that obedience can defeat selfish ambition. We are an Easter people, redeemed by the sacrificial gift of love of God through Jesus Christ. We are an Easter people filled with joy and peace in knowing our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are an Easter people, trusting Christ as we journey through life participating in God’s sovereign plans that continue to unfold. We are an Easter people filled with hope. AMEN and AMEN. .