A PERSONAL PRAYER

Dear God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit,

The twelve steps teach that there comes a time to take a “fearless moral inventory” of my life. Lent is that time. A “moral inventory,” because there is a need to be specific, to recognize that in my preoccupation with my own needs and wants, my own agenda and desires, I have hurt other people, and my sin separates me from you. God, you know they aren’t intentional, these shortcomings. Mostly, they are just failures:

Failures of self-discipline.
Failures of generosity.
Failures of understanding.
Most of all, failures to love.

My actions don’t live up to my intentions. My life is a poor reflection of who you created me to be, and of you actively alive in my heart.

But God, more importantly, the moral inventory I take during this season is “fearless,” because I know that your love is so great that nothing I have done could make you love me even one tiny bit less. Your love casts out all fear within me, so I can come home eagerly to you, bringing all of these failures before you, looking forward to your open arms and forgiveness.

Forgive me, God. Create in me a clean heart, and deeds that reflect your amazing love for all of your children. Amen.

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
This week, we begin a new sermon series for Lent, “In the Garden,” examining the powerful events on Thursday night, beginning with the Last Supper, and continuing through the anguish Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane. The word Gethsemane comes from a phrase meaning “place of the olive press.” It was here that olives were pressed into oil. It is here that the world and Jesus’ mission press down on him as he cries out to his God in agony. Perhaps you have been pressed down, crying out to your God. If so, Jesus won’t desert you. I hope you will plan to be present for this series. This Sunday, March 1, we begin with a sermon “The Supper,” and we will celebrate Holy Communion in all of our services.

Our Scripture+Shared Bible study during Lent begins. The six-week lesson series is titled Best. Sermon. Ever., a study of The Sermon on the Mount. Scripture+Shared is delivered over the Scripture+Shared app (not the St. Luke’s app), or on your computer. Find a friend and do it together, or use it for your small group study. Download the Scripture+Shared app here, or download study materials here.

During Lent, we have many opportunities for prayer and reflection. Every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. is our Prayer and Healing Service. Every Thursday at 12:05 in the Chapel is Lenten Music for Meditation and Reflection, and next week, March 5, we have the privilege of hearing Voces8 provide our music for reflection. This Sunday, March 1, from 3-4 p.m., in ES309, we can learn to have a more meaningful prayer life and cultivate intimacy with God in Closer to God, a Prayer Workshop. Please check out all the Lenten opportunities here.

Our 2019 impact report is out for your review. What did God do through St. Luke’s in 2019, because of your investment of time, money, and prayers? These booklets are at the connection center and other places around the church, or you can download it here.

Did you miss the message, “Boundaries” on February 23? Watch it here.

PRAYER CALENDAR
Sunday, March 1
Lord, thank you for the Music Ministry at St. Luke’s and the opportunities and art they provide every week. I pray you continue to bless them and all ministries at St. Luke’s. Let us turn to you for guidance in trouble and praise you always. Amen. Prayer by Grace Roman, St. Luke’s Choir

Monday, March 2
Dear God, Through this Lenten season of wandering, please help remember that if we are strangers in a strange land, at the very least we are strangers together. Amen. Prayer by Julia Fowler, St. Luke’s Choir

Tuesday, March 3
Lord, we are witness to your work in and through us during the 75 years of ministry at St. Luke’s. We thank you for provision and guidance in the future work that you have for us. Amen.

Wednesday, March 4
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you with our hearts full of praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings you have placed in our lives. But sometimes we also come out of our need for your mercy and your comfort for our physical and spiritual healing. Lord, we give you our pain, our hurt, our weakness, and our sorrows. We lift up our concerns to you in the light and truth of Jesus, and we pray for your healing power to break through. Let us rest safely in your care, wrapped in your love as we call upon you to come and heal us. Fill our hearts with hope. We put our trust in you. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. Prayer by Sandra Hendon, St. Luke’s Prayer Ministry

Thursday, March 5
Dear Lord, we are surrounded by signs of your presence and care. Please open our eyes to the joys around us, from the gentle smile of a loved one and the skillful song of a mockingbird to the kindness of a stranger and the slow unfolding of an intricate flower. And please let us remember, no matter how busy we get, to thank you for such gifts. Amen. Prayer by Laura Russell, St. Luke’s Choir

Friday, March 6
Lord, 75 years ago, you planted St. Luke’s in the country, way out west of the city and showered it with your blessings, making it grow and become rooted and established in love. We pray that you would continue to strengthen our church with the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday, March 7
Heavenly Father, you created the heavens and the earth, and you saw that it was good. The gifts of your creation include the wild cries of Sandhill cranes above a prairie, the beautiful intricacy of a leaf, the majesty and power of an ocean, the delicate fragrance of a rose, and the bright endearing look of a hooded warbler in a forest. We praise you for these gifts, and for the reverence and joy they bring to us. Amen. Prayer by Steve Carroll, St. Luke’s Choir