Readings: Gen
12:1-4a; Ps 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 for Sunday, March 16, 2014
Phone rings. It's your boss. Time to pack up the spouse and kids, leave the friends and other family behind, and move to a new country, for a new job. You'll be in charge of everything including recruitment. No time for questions. You'll get all the info you need when you get there and you must be there by Tuesday. Click... Your head spins. Don't know the language, the weather, how to get there, who to contact, where to live. Do you a) just do it because it's the boss and your trust in her is complete, it will work out somehow. Or, b) ask your spouse, "...Is he crazy, just hangs up, no more info, what does he expect that I'll just drop everything because it's his word?" Pick up the phone and call three people, "Can you believe this? No way, until I get the details."
Abram, later to be Abraham, packs up and goes, we're told, on Faith alone. Paul tells us it was through Abram's faith, and now our own, through which the Promise of God is fulfilled. Further proof, God gives us Jesus - coming to preach, teach, and show us the way; and, what real sacrifice is. Can you go to the Country of God without all the moans and groans about the inconveniences, lack of clear information, and gripes about the cost of Faith? You do have the option of staying where you are now. If you are anxious about the move, well, at least we have each other. Let's go together...I'm sure there's help in the hills.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
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Phone rings. It's your boss. Time to pack up the spouse and kids, leave the friends and other family behind, and move to a new country, for a new job. You'll be in charge of everything including recruitment. No time for questions. You'll get all the info you need when you get there and you must be there by Tuesday. Click... Your head spins. Don't know the language, the weather, how to get there, who to contact, where to live. Do you a) just do it because it's the boss and your trust in her is complete, it will work out somehow. Or, b) ask your spouse, "...Is he crazy, just hangs up, no more info, what does he expect that I'll just drop everything because it's his word?" Pick up the phone and call three people, "Can you believe this? No way, until I get the details."Abram, later to be Abraham, packs up and goes, we're told, on Faith alone. Paul tells us it was through Abram's faith, and now our own, through which the Promise of God is fulfilled. Further proof, God gives us Jesus - coming to preach, teach, and show us the way; and, what real sacrifice is. Can you go to the Country of God without all the moans and groans about the inconveniences, lack of clear information, and gripes about the cost of Faith? You do have the option of staying where you are now. If you are anxious about the move, well, at least we have each other. Let's go together...I'm sure there's help in the hills.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
LEADER: ~ O God of Promise and Love, You called Abram
to leave home and go to a different country on the strength of his faith alone;
and so he went as You told him to do. You show us a different land also; a land
that is filled with Your blessings, mercy, and eternal life. All You require is our steadfast faith.
Dear Gracious LORD, Merciful Maker of Heaven
and Earth,
RESPONSE: We
come to You now with our penitent hearts and imperfect faith.
~ O God of Promise and Love, we
implore You to guide the leaders of our world to the land of reason, justice,
and humanity. Give them clarity of judgment and charity of spirit. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Dear Gracious LORD,
Merciful Maker of Heaven and Earth,
We come to You now with
our penitent hearts and imperfect faith.
~ O God of Promise and Love, we
lift our eyes to You and ask relief for those who are ailing in body, mind, or
spirit; and respite for those who tend to their needs. Let them all experience
Your healing grace and the constancy of Your affection. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Dear Gracious LORD,
Merciful Maker of Heaven and Earth,
We come to You now
with our penitent hearts and imperfect faith.
~ O God of Promise and Love,
we ache with grief for the loss of those we love who are now at Home with You. Help us to believe the words
we say as we commend their souls to Your life everlasting. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Dear Gracious LORD, Merciful Maker of
Heaven and Earth,
We come to You now
with our penitent hearts and imperfect faith.
~ O God of Promise and Love, nourish
those who lead Your Church with the unchangeable Truth of Your Presence within
and without. Grant them the fortitude to
stand on the side of Your righteousness, and guide us to the Salvation You
offer through the gift of Your Only Son and the wisdom of Your Holy
Spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Dear Gracious LORD,
Merciful Maker of Heaven and Earth,
We come to You now
with our penitent hearts and imperfect faith.
The Celebrant adds:
Living and Eternal God, You
promise us life unending and love without limit for the mere price of our
enduring faith. Imperfect as we are, we come to You with open hearts and
willing souls. Help us to deepen and expand our faith as we use these days of
Lent to Your purpose. We ask this
through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ and Your Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier,
who live and reign with You, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
