#lent #call to worship #acknowledgment of country #prayers of the people
An adaptation of an Assembly resource for the Lenten season.
Gospel reading: Luke 13:31-35
You will need:
1. A table set with a large tray of sand
2. A BATTERY OPERATED candle (or remember to extinguish it later for the prayers)
3. A bowl and a jug of water
4. A large rock or stone
5. Some "people" in whatever form you choose - I use LEGO figures or wooden cutouts, but you can get kids to make peg people or pipe-cleaner people in advance
6. Soft fabric strips (or even tea towels if that's all you have at hand)

Acknowledgment of Country

SOURCE:
Acknowledgement of First Peoples (Country) in the UCA.
UCA Assembly, accessed 03/02/2025,
https://ucaassembly.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/240

Over eons the earth has settled and formed.
The colours merge and the stories entwine.

The rock is placed on the sand.

May those who have kept the stories of God’s earth be honoured.

The flow of life ripples, finding cracks and crevices.
It glistens and sparkles with promise.

Water is poured into a bowl on the sand from the jug. 

May those who quench a spiritual thirst be blessed.

Darkness is banished with the sharing of light.
Relationships enlighten and corruption dissipates.

The “lit” candle is placed on the sand.

May the Light of the World be carried in the hearts of the people of God.

We reach out to God and to one another.

Place the figures in the sand and/or invite the people stretch out their hands.

May God remake us as a covenant people,
bound together by the Spirit of this land and guided by her First Peoples.

Call to worship

Using hand gestures or holding up the elements as they are referred to in the call:

God – 

God, you are.

God, you are everywhere.

God of sand,
God of stream,
God of everywhere
in between ….

God of the dry places
where the sun beats down
and the rivers dry up
and the grasses brown ….

God of the streams
where creatures meet
to quench their thirst
and escape the heat ….

God of hearts
as hard as stone,
struggling through life
as though alone ….

God of children
called by grace
to meet you
in this sacred space ….

Bless this second week
of Lent;
change our lives
as we repent.

Give us eyes to see
and ears to hear:
this is the day
that you draw near.

Prayers for others

You will use the strips of cloth for this embodied prayer. Make sure any actual flames are first extinguished and turn off the battery operated candle.
Instrumental music can be played. I'll be using Sanctus/Benedictus by Sarah Snider, 
from “Mass for the endangered” 2020.

We have heard how God has longed so many times
to gather together the lost, oppressed, and hurting and hold them close. 

In our prayers for others today,
you are invited to come forward and cover part of our Lenten scene with a piece of cloth.

You might want to pray for the earth,
the waters,
the darkness
a particular country,
or a person you know.

You might ask for peace,
courage,
freedom,
or hope to rest upon them in this time.

You might speak a few words out loud,
or you might lay the cloth down without words.

It’s up to you.

Let us pray together for our world.

Benediction

As we leave this place
and go into a world
that is not always good at welcomes,
may the peace of God rest upon you,
the love of Christ enfold you,
and the Holy Spirit empower you
to press on with courage and compassion
– today, tomorrow, and the next day.

Amen.