Wednesday Evening
Greeting and Doxology
PSALM 32
Our God is merciful and forgiving.
Happy the pardoned,
whose sin is canceled,
in whom God finds no evil, no deceit.
While I hid my sins,
my bones grew weak from endless groaning.
Day and night, under the weight of your hand,
my strength withered as in a summer drought.
Then I stopped hiding my sin and spoke out,
“God, I confess my wrong.” And you pardoned me.
No wonder the faithful pray to you in danger!
Even a sudden flood will never touch them.
You, my shelter, you save me from ruin.
You encircle me with songs of freedom.
“I show you the path to walk.
As your teacher, I watch out for you.
“Do not be a stubborn mule,
needing bridle and bit to be tamed.
” Evil brings grief; trusting in God brings love.
Rejoice in the Lord.
Be glad and sing, you faithful and just.
READING James 1:19b, 21b, 22-25
Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act – they will be blessed in their doing.
CANTICLE OF MARY
For your word rooted in my heart, I give you praise, O God.
I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on All ages will call me blest.
For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
Pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
And lets the rich go hungry.
God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.
INTERCESSIONS
Confident that God calls us together to celebrate our faith in actions and words, we pray.
For God’s people, the church:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER
Spirit of God, you make your home within us. Help us to hear your voice speaking within us, calling us to deeper union with you. Renew our hearts and transform our actions that we may proclaim to the world: God is alive! God’s love is everlasting! This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
BLESSING
May God’s blessing be upon us. Amen
May God’s light lead us in the way of Righteousness. Amen.
May our lives be patterned on Christ Jesus. Amen.