This is part of the worship series,
"Grounded and Growing—Journeying from Lent to Easter”
Series Introduction | Ash Wednesday | Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 |
Palm/Passion Sunday | Maundy Thursday | Good Friday | Easter
Leading Prayers of the People During Lent | A Communion Liturgy for Lent
Also in this series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany
God gives the law not to shackle us, but to set us free. It marks out a way through the wilderness, articulates a wisdom for people who are learning how to live with integrity before the face of God.
So when Jesus storms into the temple and starts flipping tables, he is not throwing a tantrum. He’s weeding the garden. He is clearing out what does not belong, hauling it to the compost heap. He is reclaiming a space meant for prayer and praise, healing and hope. It looks and feels like chaos—like anger. But disruption is actually devotion. This is what happens when love makes room.
To be grounded and growing is to let God do the same work in us. It is to invite the Spirit to look at the garden and ask what needs to be pulled up by the roots, what needs to be cut back, and what needs room to breathe and bear fruit. Lent is a season for holy demolition and careful cultivation, so that God’s presence may take up residence again and bring new life.
Service Outline
GATHERING
Call to Worship
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The word of the Lord is a light for our path.
God’s house is a place of prayer and mercy.
We come to worship the living God.
Opening Song
“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” Barclay Wilkinson
During this song, attend to these four gestures during the appropriate verses:
1. Light the Christ candle
2. Lift and place the Scriptures
3. Drape purple cloth on the cross
4. Pour water into the font
Welcome & Season Framing
[Brief word naming the start of Lent, the wilderness journey, and the Grounded and Growing theme (see introduction).]
Praise/Psalm
“Psalm 19: God’s Glory Fills the Heavens” Daw
Prayer of Lament / Confession
[Adapt the lament and confession from Lent 1 – possibly using a different Kyrie]
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news:
The God who spoke from Sinai
and set a people free
is the same God who still speaks life into our confusion.
The Christ who cleansed the temple
and made room for prayer and praise
is the Christ who cleanses our hearts
and makes room for mercy and hope.
Friends, believe this good news:
in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
Response
[It may be fitting during Lent, but especially this week, to include a reading of the Law, like the following:]
Our Lord, Jesus Christ said,
“If you love me, keep my commandments;
happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
Hear then these commandments
which God has given to his people,
and take them to heart.
I am the Lord your God:
you shall have no other gods but me.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not make for yourself any idol.
God is spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in spirit and in truth.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not dishonor the name of the Lord your God.
You shall worship him with awe and reverence.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
Remember the Lord’s day and keep it holy.
Christ is risen from the dead:
set your mind on things that are above,
not on things that are on the earth.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
Honor your father and your mother.
Live as servants of God; honor everyone;
love the people of God.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not commit murder.
Be reconciled to your neighbor;
overcome evil with good.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not commit adultery.
Know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not steal.
Be honest in all that you do and care for those in need.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not be a false witness.
Let everyone speak the truth.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
You shall not covet anything which belongs to your neighbor.
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Love your neighbor as yourself,
for love is the fulfilling of the law.
Write your law upon our hearts, O God.
Sung Response
“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” Barclay Wilkinson st. 5
WORD
Prayer for Illumination
“Psalm 42: Be Still” Kimbrough
[Sing at least 3 times. If you are singing the “traditional” version of “May the Mind” you may wish to move that song (in Eb) or this song (D) into the same key.]
Scripture Readings
- Exodus 20:1–17—God gives the law as a gift that leads to freedom and life.
- Psalm 19—God’s glory shines through creation, and God’s law gives wisdom and joy.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18–25—The cross is foolishness to the world but the power of God to those who believe.
- John 2:13–22—Jesus cleanses the temple, reclaiming God’s house for prayer and holiness.
Sermon
“A House for God’s Glory”
[See notes from the introduction.]
Song of Response
Psalm 51: “Give Me A Clean Heart” Douroux or “Change My Heart, O God” Espinosa
[Or choose another fitting setting of Ps. 51.]
Prayers of the People
[See “Leading Prayers of the People During Lent”]
TABLE
Lord’s Supper
[See “Grounded and Growing—A Communion Liturgy for Lent”]
SENDING
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Faithful God,
you have welcomed us into your house
and fed us at your table.
You have given us bread for the journey
and a cup of mercy for the road ahead.
You remind us that we belong to you
and that your Word shows us the way that leads to life.|
Shape us for your purposes.
Set us on your path.
Send us as a people reclaimed by love
and restored for your work in the world.
Ground us in your grace.
Grow us in your love.
Lead us on your way.
Amen.
Closing song
“Dead in You, Lord, May We Rise” Rienstra
Closing Prayer
[Attend to the four gestures named in the introduction to this service.]
God of love and mercy,
Bless us on our Lenten journey.
By your light, call us to faithful following.
By your word, call us to attentive listening.
By your cross, call us to sacrificial obedience.
By your Holy Spirit, call us to repentance, joy, and service.
Benediction
May the God who spoke from the mountain
set your feet on the path that leads to life.
May the Christ who overturned the tables
make room in you for prayer, mercy, and joy.
May the Spirit who writes wisdom on the heart
teach you how to live what you believe.
Go in peace.
Walk in hope.
Amen.
Bless the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Go in peace…
A sign of peace may be exchanged.
