Evening Prayer for Lent


March 13, 2024

7:00 pm



Click here for the Livestream of Evening Prayer



Welcome to worship!



We began our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, a journey to the cross of Christ and the empty tomb of Easter. This rich season is a wonderful opportunity for going deeper into our lives of faith and trust. We worship each Wednesday evening at 7 pm.


This year's theme for Wednesdays in Lent is Signs and Wonders. As Jesus traveled throughout the countryside, hurting and despairing people flocked to him for healing. He became known as a miracle worker, casting out demons, curing disease, feeding, calming storms, and bringing hope to those who had nowhere else to turn. In our Evening Prayer services throughout the season of Lent we will reflect on healing and wholeness and hope, what we all long for. 

 

 

February 21                     Miracles in Our Midst

February 28                     Miracles of Creation

March 6                           Healing and Wholeness

March 13                         Life-Giving Hope

March 20                         The Miracle of Bread

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You may access this evening's worship in a variety of ways:


  • A link is posted on Immanuel's website, www.immanuelwebster.org.
  • Go to www.YouTube.com and search Immanuel Webster. You will find all of our past worship services there as well.
  • A link is will be posted on Immanuel's Facebook page.
  • Click the link above this evening at 7:00 or anytime afterwards.






- Gathering -



Prelude

 



Candlelighting


We do not choose the darkness,

and few are comfortable within it.

In the absence of light

our hearts whisper their secrets,

and loss and pain

seep from the corners

to disquiet our minds.

 

And yet,

all life begins in darkness.

In the womb, the cocoon,

life grows,

and waits,

and gathers strength.

For those who find the courage to dwell there

the darkness can hold treasure

and truth.

 

And so we wait,

listening to the stories of our hearts,

knowing that we are held safe

in a deeper story of Love,

in which the Light

will always return.


Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, we implore you to hear the prayers of your people. Be our strong defense against all harm and danger, that we may live and grow in faith and hope, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

       Amen.

 

 

 

 

Reading               Psalm 30:1-4, 10-12

 

1I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up

and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

2O Lord my God, I cried out to you,

and you restored me to health.

3You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead;

you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

4Sing praise to the Lord, all you faithful;

give thanks in holy remembrance.

10Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me;

O Lord, be my helper.”

11You have turned my wailing into dancing;

you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

12Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing;

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

 

 

 


Gospel                 Mark 5:21-43

 

21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him, and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, named Jairus, came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and pleaded with him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 So he went with him.

 

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians and had spent all that she had, and she was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my cloak?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

 

35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the synagogue leader, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the synagogue leader’s house, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl stood up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this and told them to give her something to eat.

 

 



Message  

Night Prayer


Father God,

We rest in you.

Jesus the Son,

We rest in you.

Holy Spirit,

We rest in you.


Silence follows each petition:

 

Loving Father, for the things this day that have brought us joy,

We give you thanks…


Healing Lord, for the things this day that have brought us sorrow.

Bring peace…


Merciful Father, for those who seek forgiveness…

Bring comfort…


Comforting God, for those throughout the world seeking peace and wholeness,

Bring hope…


Spirit of life, in the closing of this day,

Give us rest…

 

O God, you create all things, drawing them to yourself. You made time, space, and matter from nothing, and yet through you they are given life and meaning. May the words of these prayers, brought from nothing, rise to you as a sufficient offering of praise and thanksgiving. 

Amen

 

 


Lord’s Prayer


Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.



Blessing


It is dark outside.

But we carry into the night

the light of Christ.

May the light of Christ shine in our midst,

keeping away all that would seek to harm,

establishing all that God’s love demands,

this night and always. Amen.




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This evening’s liturgy is taken from Wild Goose Big Book of Liturgies and Iona Abbey Worship Book, © 2017, Wild Goose Publications, The Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland. Used by permission.

 

The Night Prayer is by Josh Walker.

 

Now Rest Beneath Christ’s Shadow; Lift Up Your Heads; Christ, Be Our Light: reprinted by permission under OneLicense #A-714459.

 

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Immanuel Lutheran Church | www.immanuelwebster.org | 585.872.5180
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