Tag: The Third Sunday of Lent

The Third Sunday of Lent, 15 Mar 2020 – Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 1:16-32, John 4:5-42 ~ Jesus: The wellspring of eternal life.

The Third Sunday of Lent

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Collect for Purity:

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 95: ‘Come let us'” – Half a Mile

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Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42 (NLT)

Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him.

Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.”

But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”

“Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other.

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

Many Samaritans Believe

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

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“Savior Of The World” – Newsboys

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 -Prayers of Intercession:

Almighty and merciful God: hear our prayers for the Church and for the world – we pray

+ For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God – bind us together in love….

+ For all throughout the world who proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ his hope and help – speak words life abundant and eternal through them….

+ For all throughout the world who disciple new believers baptizing and teaching them to obey – empower them to be shining examples of your love and light….

+ For our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith – strengthen them and deliver them from evil….

+ For our nation and those in authority, especially President Trump and those battling the corona virus pandemic – give them wisdom and sound judgement….

+ For those around the world who are sick and needy, suffering the effects of the corona virus – heal them and provide for their health and recovery needs….

+ For those who have departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection, especially those who have succumbed to the deadly effects of the corona virus.

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
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“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” – Praise And Harmony Singers

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Closing: Romans 1:16-32 (NLT)

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.

As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The 3rd Sunday of Lent: 04 Mar – John 2:13-25 ~ he knew what was in each person’s heart

The Third Sunday of Lent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Holy God, the folly of the cross mocks our human wisdom, and the weakness of the crucified puts worldly power to shame. Banish from our hearts every pretense of might and of knowledge, that by the power flowing from Christ’s resurrection your people may be raised up from the death of sin and fashioned into a living temple of your glory. Grant this through Christ, our redeemer, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Only a Holy God” – City Alight


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Gospel Reading: John 2:13-25 (NLT)

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

“What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Holy God, we come before your throne of grace in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ: grant us mercy and help us. We pray especially –

+ For your church – Fill us with the desire to search for your truth revealed in Christ crucified, that we may transform the world, becoming fools for your sake….

+ For your creation – Fill us with your wisdom, that the earth may reflect the wonder of the universe, in the glory of the risen Christ….

+ For our companions – Show us the narrow path among the brambles and pitfalls on this Lenten journey . And, thank you for friendships in Christ that endure through times of sorrow and joy….

+ For all those who suffer – Bind the broken-hearted, release the captives, and comfort those who mourn. Bless them with beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness in place of grief, and a garment of unending praise in place of despair….

+ For the communion of saints – Raise in Christ all who have died in him, especially Billy Graham, that they may rest in your eternal home and join the flights of angels singing your glory….

God of wisdom and light: Guide us by your Word and Spirit and, in your mercy, create in us clean hearts we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Clean Heart” – Matt Maher

Woke up this morning | The whole world was yelling | I wish I was dreaming | Of all that we’ve been through | My soul has been searching | For some deeper meaning | I know there’s a kindness | That leads me to the truth

When everybody’s looking for another fight | When trouble’s on the rise, no end in sight | Oh Savior, won’t You come and make the wrong things right | Let me be the place You start | Give me a clean heart | Give me a clean heart

What is forgiveness if it isn’t given | We measure our mercy | When mercy is a flood | Give us a vision | Your eyes of compassion | In all this division | May we be known by our love

You blessed those who cursed You | You loved those who hated You | On the cross You died for me | To bless those who curse You | And love those who hate You | You said to love my enemies!
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Blessing – Jude 24-25

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!