Ash Wednesday takes place March 5 in 2025.  It is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God.  You will recognize those that attend services this day as they have been marked with ashes on their forehead in the shape of a cross. Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent in our church calendar.  ​

​

Lenten is a 40 day period this year from March 5 until April 17. The time leading to Good Friday and then Easter. In the Lutheran Church, it is a time of solemn reflection and preparation for Easter. It is marked by a focus on Jesus' sacrifice.  It is a time to seriously reflect on our spiritual life, deepen our prayer life and consider giving up something.  You may have heard someone say they are giving up chocolate for Lent. It take other forms such as giving up negative thinking, speaking poorly about others, or procrastinating. Maybe one could swap streaming entertainment or scrolling through social media for reading or studying devotions or volunteering.

​

The colour Purple is used to symbolize the season's solemnity and the call to deeper spiritual reflection. It is used to symbolize the season's solemnity and the call to deeper spiritual reflection. 

​

​

We will be using special version of the Lord's Prayer during Lent. The prayer combined the traditional Anglican prayers and forms of worship with the rich earth-based spirituality of the Maori and other Pacific Island cultures. It was originally published in 1989, The New Zealand Prayer Book and re-published in a new version by Harper Collins in 1997. 

​

​

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION for LENT III 

Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.

We pray for the church, called to be a witness to all peoples. Grant humility and wisdom to bishops, pastors, deacons, elders, councils, and congregations, that they may call upon you in making decisions. We pray especially for our bishops: Susan, Anne, Chris and Carla. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the earth, called to provide abundantly. Teach your people the goodness of your generosity, that in sharing what we have been given, all life may flourish on the planet that is our shared home. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

We pray for the nations, called to protect their inhabitants and collaborate in the work of justice and peace. Forge bonds of compassion and mutual care across human borders and boundaries, that all the world may have enough to live. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

We pray for those in need, called to receive your compassion (especially Arnold, Aino, Martha, Ken, Mike, Bob, Kirsten, and those we name before you now …). Comfort those whose lives have been disrupted through natural disasters and human conflict (especially in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and throughout the world). Aid communities in coming together to mourn, heal, and rebuild. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

We pray for this assembly, called to welcome its neighbors to the table of your grace. Bless food pantries, community gardens and kitchens, clean water projects, and all ministries that address human hunger and thirst. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

We give thanks for the faithful lives of those who proclaimed your gospel in times of challenge and strife, and for all those whose lives of love and service have ended (especially). May their witness inspire our own. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

 

Receive the prayers of your people and draw all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus, who leads us from death to life. Amen.