*You are welcome to use or adapt any of my resources for free, but I ask that you provide proper citation AND comment on this post to let me know.*
Additional Hymns:
Hymn GTG #724, “O Jesus, I Have Promised"
Hymn GTG #281, “Holy Spirit Come to Us”
Hymn GTG #542, “God Be with You Till We Meet Again”
Leader: Our Lord has done great things!
People: Let us follow you, Jesus!
Leader: Our Lord has done miraculous things!
People: Let us follow you, Jesus!
Leader: We must tell the world about the mercy we have been shown.
People: We will follow Jesus!
Call to Confession (based on Mark 5:30-34)
Leader: We fear that in confessing our sin to God, we invite divine condemnation. But in reality, Christ’s greatest desire is to heal our spirits and make us whole. Let us, therefore, tell him the whole truth, so that we might discover in him a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Leader: We fear that in confessing our sin to God, we invite divine condemnation. But in reality, Christ’s greatest desire is to heal our spirits and make us whole. Let us, therefore, tell him the whole truth, so that we might discover in him a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Popcorn Prayer of Confession (based on Mark 5:9)
You are invited to speak a word or short phrase that describes a personal or collective sin of which you repent and seek forgiveness.
When the gathered community is finished sharing, we pray together:
People: Loving God, our sins number so many that they might be called “Legion”. But we lift them all up to you, trusting fully in the power of your grace. Forgive us, O Lord. Give us the strength and courage to name each of our sins without fear so that they might no longer stand in the way of our relationship with you. In your mercy, hear our prayers… (Silent prayers of personal confession)
Declaration of Forgiveness (based on Mark 6:3)
Leader: Our unbelief and skepticism separate us from God, but we are reconciled fully through Jesus’ mercy and love. In Christ’s name, we are forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God!
Be Still and Know… (Finger Labyrinth)
Every week during Lent, we’ll be trying out a different way of experiencing God, things to help us “be still” in God’s presence.
- Ask what people know about Labyrinths.
- They may mention Greek myth, the movie with David Bowie, mazes, etc.
- They may also mention their use in Christian worship and meditation – if so, ask them to explain their understanding of its use/meaning, and what the experience was like for them. If not, move on to the next part.
- Labyrinths have been used in Christian worship for a long time as an aid to meditation.
- Unlike the ones found in Greek myth, these ones aren’t intended for you to LITERALLY get lost in.
- There’s only one path in and out.
- They’re intended to get FIGURATIVELY lost in.
- To focus your attention as you pray or meditate.
- Often, churches or other organizations will paint a Labyrinth on the floor, filling an entire room.
- A way to engage your whole body in prayer.
- But when that’s not practical, you can use a finger labyrinths.
- Can be printed on paper (like the one in your insert) or made out of clay or wood.
- You trace the path with your finger to the center, rest there for a moment or two, then trace the way back out.
- Different things to try:
- Tracing the path with your non-dominant hand
- Coordinate your breath with each turn (in on one turn, out on the next)
- Trace the path as slowly as possible.
- Focus on a specific thought or prayer, OR let your mind wander and see where it takes you.
- Try using your finger labyrinth for at least part of the scripture reading today.
- See if it changes the experience for you.
LESSONS AND CAROLS FROM MARK
Readings are done by three people: one representing Jesus, one representing Jesus' supporters, and one representing Jesus' opponents. They each wear a white, green, or red stole, respectively, to help clarify their roles.
Jesus Calms the Storm: Mark 4:35-41
Hymn GTG #8, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” [All Verses]
The Gerasene Demoniac: Mark 5:1-20
Hymn GTG #796, “We Come to You for Healing, Lord” [vv. 1, 2 & 5]
The Hemorrhaging Woman: Mark 5:21-34
Hymn GTG #178, “The Woman Hiding in the Crowd” [vv. 1, 3 & 5]
Jairus’ Daughter: Mark 5:35-43
Hymn GTG #834, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” [All Verses]
Prophets’ Honor: Mark 6:1-13
Hymn GTG #162, “O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench” [vv. 1, 2 & 5]
Herod Kills John the Baptist: Mark 6:14-29
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Hymn GTG #414, “Be Still and Know” [3x total – you are welcome to sing in a round!]
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