Lenten Meditation Guide
Invitations to the Inner Life
April 6, 2014
Forgiveness
Each Sunday during Lent, we will provide readings on the theme for that week, inviting
you in to further reflection on these ideas and guiding us deeper in our spiritual lives
“What power has love but
“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
forgiveness?
In other words
― Alexander Pope
Psalm 130
by its intervention
Out of the depth I cry to you, Lord,
what has been done
Lord hear my voice,
can be undone.
let your ears be attentive
“If we really want
What good is it otherwise?”
to my cry for mercy.
to love
― William Carlos Williams
If you kept a record of sins,
we must learn how
Lord, who could stand?
to forgive”
But with you there is forgiveness,
- Mother Teresa
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
Be kind to one another,
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
tenderhearted,
and in his word I put my hope.
forgiving one another,
I wait for the Lord
as God in Christ
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
And forgive us
forgave you.
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
our debts, as we
-Ephesians 4:32
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
also have
for with the Lord is unfailing love
forgiven our
and with his is full redemption.
debtors.
-Matthew 6:12
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive.
He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Then Peter came up and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but
seventy times seven.”
-Matthew 18:21
But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in
steadfast love, and did not forsake your people.
-Nehemiah 9:17
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Children in Church & Godly Play – Children older than nursery age are
encouraged to remain in worship during the service. We welcome the laughter,
tears and all they may bring as signs of God's new life in our midst!. Godly Play
Sunday School class, for ages 3 and up, takes place from 9:30- 10:20 am. It is held
in the classroom off Bates Hall. Please see an usher for assistance in finding it.
Parking Bargain – Worshipers may park at the Back Bay Garage [Clarendon
Street, between Boylston and St. James] on Sundays between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00
p.m. for the first (3) hours for only $5. To get this discounted rate, please ask an
usher before or after the worship service for a parking discount voucher.
Prayers of Celebration or Concern May Be Shared in the Red Book – At the
rear of the worship space is a red book where prayers that you wish to have spoken
aloud during the Pastoral Prayer time may be written. The book will be available
until the time of the offering.
Time of Greeting – after the Postlude this morning, we hope that you will take a
few minutes to connect with others worshipping with you, especially people you
may not know as well.
Hearing Assisted Devices – speak with an usher if you would like to use these
devices that work with or without a hearing aid. These devices are specifically
designed to work only with our sound system. Please remember to return the
device at the close of the service. Thank you!
Building Accessibility – our building includes an exterior ramp on Newbury
Street and an elevator (in the Parish House part of the building) which allows
access to the fellowship hall, meeting rooms, offices, and other parts of the
building. We also have accessible rest rooms. Please ask an usher to help you
locate these resources.