Lent is a season when we take a look at our lives in view of God’s mercy toward us in the sacrifice of his Son for us on the cross. We, in turn, are called by God, especially during this time of repentance and reflection, to be living sacrifices for him, displaying our devotion to him in word and deed. Jesus helps us to see the richness of God’s mercy in his life, death and resurrection.
The services in this worship series for Lent by theology professor David Peter focus our eyes of faith on the meaning behind God’s mercy made manifest in Christ.
Ash Wednesday • Mercy in Ashes (Joel 2:13): As we are marked with ashes on this day, a reminder to us of our sins, we are reminded, too, of the mercy of our God who lifts us from our ashes to new life in Christ.
Week 1 • Mercy in Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13): In the midst of temptation, our merciful God provides us with a way out through his Son, who was tempted just as we are, yet without sin.
Week 2 • Mercy in Suffering (1 Peter 2:23): No life is without suffering, but our sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory to be revealed to us in Jesus by God’s great mercy.
Week 3 • Mercy in Betrayal (1 Peter 3:11): Though we may turn away from our God again and again, our Lord continues to call us back into his merciful arms for Jesus’ sake.
Week 4 • Mercy in Relationships (Ephesians 4:32): Within the communities God has placed us, we are given the grace to treat one another as Christ has cared for us in his love and mercy.
Week 5 • Mercy in Service (Hebrews 6:10): In response to God’s kindness to us in Jesus, we serve in mercy the needs of those around us by Christ’s example.
For each service, the kit contains: a complete order of service, a sermon (monolog) a children’s message, prayers and music for the accompanist.
The kit includes everything you need for each service as well as digital files with the text of the entire kit in .rtf (rich text format), newsletter/bulletin notices, hymns, visual media recommendations, contemporary music song suggestions, pdfs of a bulletin insert, poster and small and large bulletins for you to print yourself and PowerPoint documents of all the services with images and text (along with a copyright release) for use on screens. Purchase of the kit grants a copyright release to use or adapt any of the material included.
Kit with paper copies and digital files, 222 pages
Supplement the series with services for Holy Week and Easter that continue the series format and theme. Each is available separately and includes all the worship kit features
See our complete In View of God’s Mercy collection for more faith-enhancing seasonal resources exploring the theme of God’s merciful love for us through worship, prayer, reflection and study in your church or home.