Grief over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness—Lent 1 War

This is part of the worship series, 
"Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”

Introduction
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4 |  Lent 5
Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday 

WEEK ONE: WAR

“War,” Prussian general Carl Von Clausewitz said, “is an act of violence intended to compel our opponents to fulfill our will” (On War, Book 1, Ch. 1, 1832). War is always violent and always for a purpose. Approaches to war fall somewhere on a spectrum between militarism and pacifism. Understanding war as a Christian can be confusing because biblical texts can be used to support both ends of the spectrum. However, it is clear that violence, destruction, and death are not part of God’s plan for a flourishing humanity; in fact, it is human depravity that causes war. It’s easy to say that political leaders are the reason for wars, but we all are complicit in the evil and violence we see in the world. Our own sins of injustice or inaction shape and contribute to the injustice and wars in our communities. God is not a god of war. In Genesis we see that God created a perfect world, but human sin brought evil and death into it. We can be confident that a time is coming where there will be no more war, sin, or evil because all the way back in Genesis, God promised a Savior. Jesus’ death defeated the curse of sin and Satan, and we eagerly anticipate the promised day when the world will be without war.

Gathering

Welcome

Call to Worship

God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
—Psalm 46:1–3, 7 ^NRSVUE

Song 

“Hear Our Praises” ^Morgan

God Greets Us

God’s People Greet Each Other

Songs

“There Is a Redeemer” ^Green
“Be unto Your Name” ^{Deshazo and Sadler} 

Renewal

Children’s Message

[Invite kids forward to discuss their charcoal cross art now on display, then talk to the kids about ashes.]

Ash Wednesday was this past week, marking the start of the season of Lent, which is what we call the season in the church leading up to Good Friday and Easter. This can be a hard season. We talk a lot about the suffering and death of Jesus and about suffering and death in the world. God calls us in the season of Lent to turn from the things that keep us apart from God and to turn toward the things that bring us closer to God. 

Thank you for helping us worship by sharing the crosses you made. [Ask one or two children to talk about their pictures.] The ashes remind us that eventually we will all die because we disobeyed God. The cross reminds us of our hope in Christ: that Jesus has already defeated death. The beauty of the flowers, trees, and sunshine in your pictures reminds us that God will make everything new and beautiful in its time. 

Prayer of Confession

Dear Jesus,
We are sorry for not always doing what is right and good.
We turn away from you and go our own way.
Forgive us, Lord, when we do bad things or think unkind thoughts.
Forgive us when we don’t help someone in need.
Help us to live justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

God promises us that God will make everything beautiful in its time.
The book of Isaiah describes a beautiful picture of the joy creation will have when God makes all things new:
The desert and the dry ground will be glad.
The dry places will be full of joy.
Flowers will grow there.
Like the first crocus in the spring,
the desert will bloom with flowers.
It will be very glad and shout for joy. . . .
Everyone will see the glory of the Lord.
They will see the beauty of our God.
—Isaiah 35:1–3 ^NIRV

Song

“Cornerstone” ^{Mote et al.}

Children are dismissed for Children’s Worship.

Word

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture

Deuteronomy 20:1–4; Luke 6:27–31

Message

“A Christian Understanding of War”

Song of Response

“How Long, O Lord, How Long” (st. 1, 6–8) ^Steumpfle

Prayers of the People

We Give Our Offerings of Thanks

Sending 

Call to Discipleship

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
   I am exalted among the nations;
   I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
—Psalm 46:9–11 ^NRSVUE

The God who is always with us sends us out into the world
to do justice, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with the Lord God Almighty.

God’s Parting Blessing

Song 

“Living Hope” ^{Johnson and Wickham}

Postlude