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, communion, and the laying on of hands.
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 Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth— Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.
Brenton: What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
Natalie: For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. … For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(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: May we be remember why we gather: We all needed a place to be seen, to feel heard, to believe that we are loved. So we approached a group that we thought looked like Jesus. Here we remember him and what he has done for us. For he has loved us when we did not love ourselves, and this community followed his lead.
Natalie: May we go from this place assured that we are worthy of that love. May we believe what we have been told here. And may we never forget that the same is true of all we meet along the way. Since we have been shown great mercy, inspire us to show mercy to others. Amen.
(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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