Pentitential Rite: Scattered Stones

For the Blesséd Mother event at 6.30pm Sat 13th March at S. Thomas the Apostle, Elson.

Screen: reconcile

https://www.vimeo.com/10039119

Sin separates. It separates us from God, it separates us as a community. The stones of unity which are built into a temple, a cairn of living stones are torn apart and scattered.

Take from this cairn a stone to hold, to transfer your sin into…

<cairn is dismantled>

Cradle it, and let its hard exterior take on the hardness of your heart.

Your stone carries the marks of wind and water, of weather, of spade and drill. It has history. It has past: just like your life. You carry the scars of your experience, maybe outside, maybe within.

You hold in your hand something unique, something special, something of which there not another anywhere in the world. Just like you.

In places where God is rarely heard, in the dark and dismal places, these stones are ready to cry out in praise of God. Shed onto this stone your hurt, your doubt, your fear, your insecurity, for reluctance to reach out to the God who reaches out to you.

The Lord, who makes all things and draws in unity all things, will take this from you, and release you from your burden…

Holy God, Maker of us all,

Have mercy on us.

Jesus Christ, Servant of the poor,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, Breath of life,

Have mercy on us.

Let us in silence remember our own faults and failings…

God takes our hardness of heart, and replaces it with a heart of flesh. Let us rebuild the temple of living stones, and renew this church, this place, this people with our resolution to be reconciled to the God who reaches out to us.

<cairn is rebuilt>

I confess to God and in the company of all God’s people that my life and the life of the world are broken by my sin.

May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.

Amen.

We confess to God and in the company of all God’s people that our lives and the life of the world are broken by our sin

May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.

Amen

Screen: You are forgiven

The Lord has put away your sin, and of your charity, pray for me, a sinner also. Amen

Just starting to feel a little insecure that no-one will come. Numbers don’t matter, but mission does. Praying that those whom I have invited will respond to God’s call. Please pray for the worship. Please feel welcome to come and join our fragile little community in worship.