Wondrous God, we cannot pretend to comprehend the measure of your love for humankind. We humble ourselves before you, confessing that this day, more than any other, mystifies and confounds us. We are shaken to our very souls as we ponder the willingness of Jesus, the Beloved One, to give his life for ours, to be lifted up upon the cross. Remind us, most Holy God, how your act in Jesus speaks to us of your love, mercy and forgiveness. Help us accept this unfathomable grace that washes us so clean. That our sin is no more is a concept we scarcely understand. We are released from the burden of our own regrets. You have taken upon yourself our shame and grief, freeing us from every weight that fetters us to an unforgiving world. Emptied of its burdens, a space has been cleared in the vault of the human heart for your Christ and your kingdom to enter in. As we look upon the cross may we see that all that remains there are our woes, our shame, and our regrets. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. Our Abba Father in heaven whose name we hallow above all, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the food we need to be strong in service to you and your creation. Forgive us our wrongs and help us to forgive those who wrong us. Keep us from evil we pray, for yours is the kingdom, yours is the power and yours shall be the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY THOUGHT
Sacrifice: “a giving up of something valuable or important for somebody or something else considered to be of more value or importance. This is the first definition of the word sacrifice in the Encarta Dictionary. I guess maybe John was right when he wrote about God valuing — more than himself — the “kosmos,” that is, the universe, the arrangement of the stars, the heavenly hosts, right down to the whole mass of human beings, even those who walk in darkness and are alienated from God.
UNISON PRAYER
Gracious God, on this night of nights, we offer not only our gifts, but ourselves to love and serve you. The path that Jesus walked on this Good Friday was the path of sacrifice for the sake of all. Teach us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, along the true way of discipleship. Bless the gifts we offer in love to the furtherance of your Kingdom. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
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