Prayers around the Cross
PJ: We are gathered today on the occupied territory of the Sana and Tonkawa People who have stewarded this land for generations.
Brenton: Welcome to Prayer around the Cross, a worship service with prayer, simple singing, and communion.
PJ: The songs we sing tonight are simple phrases and may be brand new to you. For each song, Ethan, the worship leader, will sing it through once at the beginning. We will repeat each song several times. As we do so, let the words deepen into your spirit and let them guide your prayer.
Gathering Song
PJ: A reading from the epistle to Philippi — though I have good reason to have this kind of confidence. If anyone else has reason to put their confidence in physical advantages, I have even more:
Brenton: I was circumcised on the eighth day.
I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin.
I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee.
With respect to devotion to the faith, I harassed the church.
With respect to righteousness under the Law, I’m blameless.
Natalie: These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him.
PJ: In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith. The righteousness that I have comes from knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. It includes being conformed to his death so that I may perhaps reach the goal of the resurrection of the dead.
Brenton: It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.
(Pause)
PJ: Here, all are equal.
Brenton: There is no test to pass,
PJ: No “right kind of Christian” to be.
Brenton: All that matters is that you are here.
(Pause)
Natalie: All are one in Christ.
PJ: God is not bound by our differences.
Natalie: All are one in Christ.
Brenton: Where we push people apart, God draws us together.
Natalie: May we be grateful
PJ: For community and for people who love us, just as we are.
Natalie: May we be grateful
Brenton: That none of us are above any other.
Natalie: May we be grateful
PJ: That God believes that we are all worthy of love
Brenton: For God has loved us this far, and God’s love will carry us on.
Natalie: May we be grateful to You, O Christ, for proving God’s love to us.
(Pause)
PJ: Tonight, we are called to the cross, the symbol of Jesus’ transformation.
Brenton: We are called into an abundant life with God,
Natalie: We are called to let our hearts be changed, to be nourished, to be transformed.
PJ: Tonight, you are invited to the cross.
Brenton: When you are ready, come to the cross, light a candle, and pray.
Natalie: At the cross, you may be close to another member of the community. If you choose to pray at the cross, the members of the community that are sitting near you are invited to pray silently for you – and with you.
PJ: Before this service was done with laying on of hands and because of the pandemic we are not doing that but still praying for and with each other. All are invited to also sing their prayers.
(Pause)
Brenton: Come when you are ready, for the God who is always faithful is eager to be with you in prayer.
Prayer at the Cross (with 2 songs)
Communion: PJ
Words of institution followed by welcome to the table and directions.
Communion Song
Post Communion Blessing: PJ
Sending Song
PJ: And now a final blessing.
Brenton: Go now in the righteousness of faith and live by God’s just demands. Let nothing claim your devotion above the Lord, and count nothing of value above knowing Christ. Press on towards the ultimate prize, of being one with him.
Natalie: And may God’s perfect word revive your soul; May Christ Jesus be your saviour and your rock; And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you to press ever onward.
(Pause)
PJ: Stay for a while in prayer here at the cross,
Brenton: Or, take your pillow and go, joining in community with those present.
PJ: No matter if you choose to stay or to go, we ask you to do so in silence.
Brenton: And in God’s peace.
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