United for Peace

We would like to thank Jean Hamilton, Brookfield, NS for providing the following worship materials that may be used during Lent.

The Brookfield United Church's Lenten candles are arranged in a circle, with the Christ candle in the centre. At the end of the Good Friday service, the Christ candle is extinguished, and remains dark until Easter Sunday, when it is lit with the proclamation, "Christ is risen!" to which the congregation responds, "He is risen indeed."

First Sunday in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen.

Voice 1:
This is a reading from the Hebrew scriptures:

And Elijah came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks to pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him.

Voice 2:
In the busy-ness and noise of our lives, we have often forgotten to be still and listen to the voice of God in the silence. (extinguishes candle).

Prayer:
Quiet God, even when we are still, our heads are filled with the many voices that make demands on us, and our own anxiety and guilt. It is hard to hear your voice in all this noise. Help us to learn to be still and listen. Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent
Be still ........ and listen

Voice 1:
This is a reading from Psalm 19:

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard:
Yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

This is the voice of creation, the “music of the spheres.”

Voice 2:
We have not listened to the voice of creation. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer (all)
Creator God, your voice speaks to us in all of creation: plants and animals that are becoming extinct; rivers and lakes that are too polluted to drink, forests cut down to satisfy our wasteful ways. Teach us to be still and listen to the quiet voices of nature, and hear what they are telling us. Amen.


Third Sunday in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen.

Voice 1:
Jesus was a great story teller. He understood that people of all ages learn by listening to stories.
“A man had two sons…”
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed.,,”
“A sower went forth to sow...”
We remember the stories.
And we can learn about other people by listening to their stories, but sometimes this takes more time, or more patience, or more energy than we think we have. And so we react on first impressions, and often we judge wrongly.

Voice 2:
We have not listened carefully to other people’s stories. (Extinguishes candle.)

Prayer (all):
Listening God, we confess that we have not taken the time to listen to others’ stories. We are quick to judge, but slow to understand. Grant us the grace of stillness, so that we may listen and hear and learn . Amen.




Fourth Sunday in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen

Voice 1:
This week we are going to think about listening to those who have no voice. There are many people who cannot be heard because they have no power and no-one to speak for them. These are the poor, the homeless, children left alone by war or disease.

Voice 2:
We have not listened to those who cannot speak for themselves. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer:
God of the still small voice, you came into the world as a helpless baby, and in Jesus, you cared for the poor, the sick, and the voiceless. In the clamour of voices in this world, it is hard for us to hear these children of yours. Help us to learn to be still and listen, and to hear your voice in their need. In Jesus name, Amen.


Fifth in Lent 2008
Be still…and listen.

Voice 1:
When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover, he had been trying to make the disciples understand what was going to happen there, but they didn’t listen, because they didn’t want to hear . One day he took three of them up on the mountain to pray, and while they were there, they saw Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus. The story tells us that they were terrified and didn’t know what to say. Then God spoke from a cloud and said, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” Through Lent, we have been talking about being still, and listening. God said that of all the voices trying to be heard, this is the one we should listen to.

Voice 2:
We have not listened to the words that Jesus speaks to us. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer:
Loving God, like the disciples, we do not want to hear this story which seems to end on a cross. Help us to understand. Teach us to be still and listen to the One who comes to meet us in the stories, healing the sick, comforting the grieving, blessing the children and the poor. Go with us to Jerusalem, and give us understanding, courage, and peace. Amen.

Palm Sunday 2008
Be still…and listen

Voice 1:
Actions speak louder than words. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, the crowds were shouting and laying palm branches at his feet, hailing him as a hero. But Jesus does not come riding on a horse, the symbol of warfare and kings. He comes riding on a donkey, the symbol of poverty and humility. This simple act of his speaks louder to our listening ears than the roars of the crowd. Listen to him.

Voice 2:
We have not listened to Jesus message of humility. (extinguishes candle.)

Prayer:
God of surprises, you came into the world as a baby in a stable, helpless and poor. Your Son, the beloved one, came into Jerusalem to face his accusers riding on a donkey, one of the humble people. He came, in the midst of noise, bringing a message of peace. Help our world to hear him. Amen.