LENT 1: At Scone "Alienation/Reconciliation"

To help me 'collect my thoughts' here's the work in progress that is worship for this Sunday in Scone

Local custom sees ANNOUNCEMENTS and WELCOME done by Congregational Chairperson

CALL we will watch a clip of “Small Things” The Audreys

Litany for Lent adapted from one by Rex Hunt

We gather at the beginning of LENT

A time of invitation, to reflect, to evaluate, to WAIT

Jesus invites us to a way of celebration,

Meeting and feasting with the humble poor

ALL: Let us walk his way with joy

Jesus beckons us to a way of risk,

Letting go of our security.

ALL: Let us walk his way with joy

Jesus challenges us to listen to the voices

of those who have nothing to lose.

ALL: Let us walk his way with joy

Jesus points us to a way of self-giving,

where power and status are overturned.

ALL: Let us walk his way with joy

Jesus calls us to follow the way of the cross,

where despair is transformed

by the promise of new life.

ALL: Let us walk his way with joy

HYMN “In the Midst of All Our Living”

People will hopefully pick up this to tune TiS 392

PRAYER from Thom Shuman

Jesus began his ministry to the world,

led by the Spirit into the wilderness.


As we begin our Lenten journey,


let us be led by the Spirit,
even into the uncomfortable places.


In those forty days, and in that place,


Jesus was faced with hunger, doubt
and temptation.


As we seek to follow Jesus,
we would be led,


even into the uncomfortable choices.


Jesus left the wilderness,
faithful and obedient to God,


rejoicing in the One in whom he trusted.


As we continue on our path to faithfulness,


we will be led by our Christ,
 rejoicing in the Lord our God.

Amen

LENT Reflection/Response

EXPLAIN/INVITE...

This is what I hope will be a main focus for the experience

An opportunity for reflection/confession/lament/hope

People will be invited to write on a gum leaf and place it in a basket or on a cloth

[this is the bit I'm working on] as a prayer

To give this space and time, once explained we will listen to

 “Bad” U2 sung by Luka Bloom with lyrics onscreen

If you twist and turn away

If you tear yourself in two again

If I could, yes I would

If I could, I would

Let it go

Surrender

Dislocate

If I could throw this

Lifeless lifeline to the wind

Leave this heart of clay

See you walk, walk away

Into the night

And through the rain

Into the half-light

And through the flame

If I could through myself

Set your spirit free

I'd lead your heart away

See you break, break away

Into the light

And to the day

To let it go

And so to fade away

To let it go

And so fade away

I'm wide awake

I'm wide awake

Wide awake

I'm not sleeping

Oh, no, no, no

If you should ask then maybe they'd

Tell you what I would say

True colors fly in blue and black

Bruised silken sky and burning flag

Colors crash, collide in blood shot eyes

If I could, you know I would

If I could, I would

Let it go...

This desparation

Dislocation

Separation

Condemnation

Revelation

In temptation

Isolation

Desolation

Let it go

And so fade away

To let it go

And so fade away

To let it go

And so to fade away

I'm wide awake

I'm wide awake

Wide awake

I'm not sleeping

Oh, no, no, no

 

SONG “SORRY LORD” Retrospect 2 Leigh Newton either accompanied or mp3

with a hopefilled comment about God's love and forgiveness

BIBLE READING

Matthew 4: 1-11

REFLECTION

I think it will end up being about feelings and examples of feeling alienated from God

That it can be tempting to craft our own God's

Who in our lives do we believe feels this alienation, whose on the edge of our society

It reminds us that when we place other things ahead of God's call we are not participating in the Kingdom

Brokenness and falling into the distractions are part of being human and this is less about individual moral choices or actions and more an opportunity to think about where and how we will know God's identity by who we connect with and how we spend our time

Do you have the spiritual resources to be alone, to carry on or is it time to 'own up' and seek reconciliation

or something like that...

SONG “Seek Ye First” TiS 745

Including OFFERING

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

For the world, local issues & people… led by a local leader

SONG “When There is No Star to Guide You”

to the tune of TiS 152

SENDING OUT

Word of Mission I'm not settled on this yet but it's pencilled in

The presentness of God reaches beyond this place...

The community candle is extinguished…

For the blessings we each bestow on one another

with our energy, compassion, and prayer, we give thanks.

For the blessings we become to others in need,

we give thanks and remember that we are not alone 

(DTaylor et al)

Sending Out

Go now and walk lightly upon the earth,

for the places in which you

stand,

walk,

play,

work,

love,

and sleep, are holy.

Live simply. Protect vulnerable creatures and places.

Resist evil. Be of good courage.

Care for the earth.

Go now in the strength of Creativity God to be a blessing to creation.

Amen.

This will be a 'stretch' for people, different lyrics to familiar tunes
A tactile and visual experience encouraging space and silence and action
A beginning to gathered activity for LENT
It'll still have a 4 songs linear pattern so people know where we are at...