We are gathered today on the occupied territory of the Sana and Tonkawa People, who have stewarded this land for generations.
Taizé Worship
Welcome to worship at Treehouse. Tonight we will worship in the style of the Taize Community in France, an ecumenical monastic community committed to peace. This style of worship is quiet and contemplative, with a “grand silence” in the middle for your own prayer, meditation, or reflection. Allow your spirits to settle into the mystery and stillness of this worship. God welcomes you here tonight.
Veni Sancte Spiritus
My Soul Thirsts for God
Take, O Take me as I am
Be Still and Know (Psalm 46)
Reading Hebrews 5:5-10
5 In the same way Christ also didn’t promote himself to become high priest. Instead, it was the one who said to him, You are my Son. Today I have become your Father, 6 as he also says in another place, You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. 7 During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. 9 After he had been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him. 10 He was appointed by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Reading John 12:20-33
20 Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One to be glorified. 24 I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 “Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Jesus replied, “This voice wasn’t for my benefit but for yours. 31 Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (33 He said this to show how he was going to die.)
The Grand Silence
You are invited to enter into a time of silence, prayer, and contemplation. If you are unsure how to do this, you might a) try speaking to God as if speaking to a friend; b) quiet your mind by slowly repeat a phrase from one of the songs or readings from tonight; or c) allow your mind to wander back over your day, asking yourself where you felt most full of life and where you felt most drained, then considering how God was present in both of those experiences.
Prayers
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness;
in your great compassion, hear our prayers.
We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers,and all the holy people of God.
Wash us through and through,
And cleanse us from our sin.
We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth,and for all who govern and judge.
Purge us from our sin,
And we shall be pure.
We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst,
those who cry out for justice,
those who live under the threat of terror,
and those without a place to lay their head.
Make them hear of joy and gladness,
that those who are broken may rejoice.
We pray for those who are ill, those in pain,those under stress, and those who are lonely.
Give them the joy of your saving help,
and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.
In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism,
and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength
to repent and grow closer to you, O God.
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.
We pray for those who have died, and who have entered into the land of eternal Light
and your abiding peace.
Cast them not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from them.
We especially pray for…We pray for…
Lord Jesus,
you taught your disciples that unless a grain of wheat
falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain,
but if it dies it bears much fruit;
as we prepare our hearts to remember your death and resurrection,
grant us the strength and wisdom to serve and follow you,
this day and always. Amen.
Words of Institution
Communion Song
Final Prayer –
Go now, and live in the spirit of your baptism,
even when you are led into wild and hard places.
With repentance and trust, give yourselves to God,
and with fasting and prayer,
strengthen yourselves against the ways of the tempter.
And may God enfold you in tender and lasting love.
May Christ be beside you in times of struggle.
And may the Spirit guide you back to the path whenever you stray,
that you may keep the covenant.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Final song – Kindle a Flame
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