We have a long history and you know it all.From week one something in usgrasping forbidden things,walking away from others.Humanity or our ancestors ranging for food, shelter,
On this May morning
as the very ground around us
is resurrected from winter’s death,
we are filled with thankfulness.
New colours blaze around us:
crowds of golden daffodils,
flotillas of white blossoming trees
and every possible shade of green.
God of our side, and God of our enemies’ side, hear our prayer: we need your help here on planet earth. With heavy hearts we
God of grace,
we come together on this somber day with heavy hearts.
We are reluctant to hear this story of Jesus’ suffering,
we would rather skip this and go straight to Easter,
to hear the happy songs and rejoice about your victory over death.
But that is not for today.
Help us, now, to stay with Jesus;
to feel with him as he is betrayed, rejected,
to watch as he is condemned, tortured and killed
because of his love for all humankind.
Thank you for the gift of your son,
which you freely gave,
even though you knew how he would be received.
Be with us now, in this hour of worship. Amen
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you. Jesus comes to the gate, to the synagogue, to houses prepared for wedding parties, to the pools
Jesus, you loved us in the beginning and you loved us to the end. Even on the night you were betrayed, you took a towel,
Grief is an atmosphere miles high pressing down on us.It is the air we breathe.Loss is the country thrust upon us,refugees from the land ofto have and
God of hope,we pray to you when hope is scarceas our world convulses with the horror of war.You alone know the extent of the crimes
God of hope,as Ukraine balances on a knife edge,we pray for peace.Peace for Ukrainian citizens living with constant anxiety,fearful that calamity will fall upon them
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.
I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com
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