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A Lenten Journey 2019
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
L E N T 2 0 1 9
“We seem to live our lives not in peace, but in pieces.” Jonathan Chaplin, Living with Integrity in a Splintered World
Most of us know that we should make some changes to our lives, but we often never get around to them. Many of us would like to eat better, exercise (at least a little), pray more, and read Scripture more. But somehow these things all seem to get pushed to the back burner so we can focus our attention and energy on what has been called “the tyranny of the urgent”.
This is the gift of the season of Lent. The church, in its wisdom, knows how we can tend to get off-track over the course of a year. So, every spring, we are invited to enter into the disciplines of the Lenten season so that we might get back on course (for “disciplines”, think intentional practices).
This means that Lent is not a time to pretend like we’re spiritual superstars. Truth be told, when we begin to engage—or, re-engage—in spiritual disciplines like fasting, morning and evening prayer, tithing, and corporate worship, we quickly begin to see how much opposition we have in our own hearts towards doing the very things that will help us grow as followers of Christ. In other words, we actually need the re-boot opportunity that Lent offers every year precisely because we’re not spiritual superstars.
Also, it’s important to understand that the appropriate posture to take towards these disciplines is progress and growth, not shame and guilt. We’re not doing them so that we can persuade God that he can finally accept us as his children or finally get to a place where we feel good about our prayer life. Instead, we pick up these practices with the hopes that God will bless us with new growth and new experiences of his mercy and goodness.
So, I invite you to join me and other leaders at Grace to enter into Lent this year. To this end, we have put together this brief guide that we prayerfully hope will help you make progress in your life with God. Each week has a Scriptural and thematic focus that will go along with Sunday’s sermon text. May God bless each of you over the upcoming weeks.
Warmly in Christ, John Haralson
L E N T A G A I N ?
“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word…” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265) Lent is the 40 days preceding Easter and comprises a season of fasting, examination and prayer. Since every Sunday is considered the “Lord’s” day and a celebration (i.e. Feast) of the Resurrection, Sundays are omitted from the 40 days. Originally Lent was a period of preparation for baptism - catechumens fasted and prayed during this instructional period just as Christ did in the wilderness prior to the beginnings of His ministry. As infant baptism increased, eventually Lent became a season of prayer and sacrifice for everyone. The early church saw Lent as the season where we, as the people of God, “return to normal human life:” life that often gets lost in the throes of everyday schedules, appointments and busyness.
The early church did not see Lent as a stringent, overly pious, and gloomy season of self-denial. In fact the word lent comes from an old English word meaning “spring.” The early church saw Lent as a season of light, joy and renewal (the springtime of the church) because it was the season in which they returned to God as the source and center of their lives. So Lent began and still is a season that calls us back to our senses, back to God and back to life as it was intended to be. In the words of James K.A. Smith, “we are creatures of desire,” and as a result of the Fall and the reality of our sinful nature, we are “bent” toward trying to fulfill our God-given desires apart from God, even though they can only be truly satisfied in relationship to Him. Lenten habits of fasting and repentance are meant to be an annual journey of ever-deepening awareness of our truest desires (for God and the life He gives) and of being transformed from self-reliance into humble dependence on Him.
Lent is the invitation to care for those things which ultimately matter
and to leave behind those things which inhibit our participation in the
LIFE of God and LIFE around us… -Steve Purcell, Among These Stones
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A S H W E D N E S D A Y
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday gets its name because we are invited on this day to receive the imposition of ashes, the sign of the cross in ashes on our forehead – the same place where we were marked as “Christ’s own forever: in baptism. As we are marked with ashes, which come from the palm fronds burned after Palm Sunday the year prior, we hear “remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are a powerful outward sign of our humble beginnings and common end. Ash Wednesday is our reality check to remember that we are neither super heroes nor God. We are so very mortal.
As Lent begins take the next few days to reflect on this journey we are beginning again: A journey that begins here in the dust of ashes. A journey that includes death and suffering and sacrifice, a journey that ends in beauty, resurrection and joy, a journey that takes us into community, through the cross and onto life on the other side.
C O L L E C T : Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
2:1 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations.
12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?
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15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
II Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
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Matthew 6:16-21
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Psalm 103103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
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15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
R E F L E C T : • What is your attitude toward fasting? • What is the implication of Lent being about a journey and not just “giving
something up?” • What are the Lenten habits and practices you sense the Holy Spirit
leading you to commit to in order to create more space for God and your desire for growing intimacy with Him? (It’s often helpful to reflect on the things you look to for comfort, numbing or distraction as potential places for fasting.)
• Consider writing a short “breath prayer” for this Lenten journey. These prayers usually arise from the reading of the Scriptures and are repeated frequently in sync with your breathing. The Jesus Prayer (“Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”) is the most well-known breath prayer. Other examples include: “I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me;” “My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth;” “When I am afraid, I will trust in you;” “Come, Lord Jesus, come;” “Not my will, but yours, O Lord;” and “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” If there is a specific scripture that speaks to you, that can become your breath prayer.
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H Y M N : L o r d , W h o T h r o u g h o u t T h e s e F o r t y D a y s
text: Claudia Frances Hernamen music: St. Flavian
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W E E K 1 : S T E W A R D S H I P
C O L L E C T : Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Deuteronomy 26:1-11
26:1 “When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. 3 And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ 4 Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.
5 “And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.
Romans 10:8b-13
10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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Luke 4:1-13
4:1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’
11 and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-1691:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
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14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
R E F L E C T : • On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being very satisfied and 1 being in a
significant place of anxiety, how would you evaluate your current financial position? What about when you factor in having enough for the future? Describe how you reached your conclusion.
• Is your giving to the church planned/systemic or spontaneous? Why have you chosen this way of giving?
• What percentage of your income do you give to the church each year? Why do you give the amount you give?
• Consider increasing your giving to the church by 10% during Lent. What changes would you have to make to do this?
• Observe any changes as a result of these adjustments.
H Y M N : Ta k e M y L i f e a n d L e t i t B e
Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)
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W E E K 2 : T H E W O R D O F G O D
C O L L E C T : O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him.
17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.
Philippians 3:17-4:1
3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 10
Luke 13:31-35 13:31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Psalm 27 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
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7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
R E F L E C T : • How many minutes per day do you spend reading or meditating on
Scripture? Explain whether or not you are satisfied with your current practice?
• Try adding 5-10 minutes of Bible reading to your day during Lent. What would you have to give up to make that happen? What would you gain? (Note, consider joining the leadership at Grace with daily use of “Seeking God’s Face” as a prayer guide.
• Alternately, try listening to one sermon or one Bible teaching podcast per week during Lent.
• Observe any changes as a result of these adjustments.
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H Y M N : Te a c h M e , O L o r d
text: Psalm 119, The Genevan Psalter (1912) music: Jess Alldredge
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W E E K 3 : P I L G R I M A G E
C O L L E C T : Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Exodus 3:1-15
3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
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I Corinthians 10:1-1310:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Luke 13:1-913:1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
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Psalm 63:1-8 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
R E F L E C T : • Our Scripture readings this week are framed within the theme of
“pilgrimage”, with an emphasis on return and repentance. In your fasting, praying, and reflections this season, what things have you sought to repent from, and seek the Lord’s forgiveness? What good habits, attitudes and hopes is God inviting you to return to?
• What foods, habits of mind, behaviors are you abstaining from to help you desire God above all things? If not abstaining, what disciplines are you taking to orient your heart towards God this season of Lent?
• Another theme this week is learning from those that have gone before us. As you reflect on your journey with God this Lenten season, ask God to bring to mind people and events that can aid you in your pilgrim journey of faith. What examples come to mind, positive and negative?
• Pilgrims are strangers, foreigners seeking a far off and sacred land. Your spiritual disciplines this year serve to remind you that you live in tension with this present world—we’re never fully at home and comfortable. What tensions have your seen in yourself, what desires have you noticed can only be satisfied by the God our True Homeland?
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H Y M N : B e T h o u M y V i s i o n
C Amin7 F G C Be Thou my vision, Oh Lord of my heart G C F Emin Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art F Emin C F Thou my best thought, by day or by night Amin7 Emin F G C Waking or sleeping thy presence, my light C Amin7 F G C Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my True Word G C F Emin I ever with Thee, and Thou with me Lord F Emin C F Thou my great Father, I Thy true son Amin7 Emin F G C Thou in me dwelling, And I with Thee one C Amin7 F G C Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise G C F Emin Thou mine inheritance, now and always F Emin C F Thou and Thou only, first in my heart Amin7 Emin F G (Csus) High King of heaven, my treasure thou art
Key Change:|| Csus / / | C / / | Asus / / | A / / || D Bmin7 G A D High King of heaven, my victory won A D G F#min May I reach heaven’s joys O bright heaven’s son, G F#min D G Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,Bmin7 F#min G A D Still be my vision, O ruler of allBmin7 F#min G A D Still be my vision, O ruler of all
text: Eleanor H. Hull trans. Mary E Byrne tune: SLANE
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W E E K 4 : S A C R A M E N T S
C O L L E C T : Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Joshua 5:9-12
5:9 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
10 While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. 11 And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
II Corinthians 5:16-21 5:16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-3215:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable:
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
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17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Psalm 32
32:1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
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8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
R E F L E C T : • Track your worship participation over the past six months. What
percentage of Sundays do you worship with our congregation? • Increase that percentage over the next couple of months. What would
you have to do to make that happen? • Observe any changes as a result of this increase.
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H Y M N : W h e n I S u r v e y T h e W o n d r o u s C r o s s
text: Isaac Watts tune: Lowell Mason
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W E E K 5 : R E M E M B R A N C E
C O L L E C T : Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Isaiah 43:16-21
43:16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
Philippians 3:4b-14 3:4 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
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12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
John 12:1-8
12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
Psalm 126
126:1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
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R E F L E C T : • Beginning this week, and continuing through the course of Lent, commit
to taking stock at the end of each day to note how God was at work (you may want to use the Prayer of Examen to do this). Each evening you do this, put down in writing how you saw God work (answer prayers, bring clarity, surprise you, etc.).
• At the end of each week, review what you have written and take a moment or two to thank God in prayer.
• This week’s Lenten theme is “remembrance” and we are presented with passages that call us to pursue Jesus at the expense of the precious things of our world. What things have you “counted as loss” as you have pursued Jesus this season?
• After six weeks of doing this, how has this practice affected you?
H Y M N : A b i d e W i t h M e
text: Henry Lyte, alt. Justin Smith music: Justin Smith
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W E E K 6 : S U R R E N D E R
C O L L E C T : Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
R E A D I N G S : Luke 19:28-40
28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.”35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Isaiah 50:4-9a
4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught,that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. 6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.
7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
Philippians 2:1-11
2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
R E F L E C T : • What is a difficult road you believe God wants you to walk down, but you
are prone to fight him about? • What is a very practical step you can take today to put you on that road
or keep you on that road? • What will you have to let go of to remain faithful to God? Is there
someone you know who can help you do this?
H Y M N : L i f t U p Yo u r H e a d s , Ye M i g h t y G a t e s !
text: Georg Weissel trans. Catherine Winkworth music: TRURO
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H O LY W E E K L I T U R G I E S
Lent concludes with Holy Week: an invitation to live the story with Jesus through the last week of His life. The ancient and unique liturgies during Holy Week lead us on a journey with Jesus from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem all the way through to the empty tomb. By far these are some of our most creative, symbolic and oldest liturgies in the church. The great mystery of our redemption story contained in the Scriptures is that somehow, it didn’t just happen 2000 years ago in a town called Jerusalem and on a hill called Golgotha.
Somehow it all still happens today in Seattle, Washington. Mysteriously this is not just Mary’s, John’s and Peter’s story, this is our story. And Holy Week gives us the chance to live it.
T H E L I T U R G I E S
PALM SUNDAY OR THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: April 14 The dual nature of the liturgy begins with the pomp and glory of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna” to our King, but these hosannas soon change to “crucify him, crucify him,” as the Passion is narrated and dramatically proclaimed. The cries of “hosanna” and the laying down of palms as Christ entered Jerusalem in the Biblical story were actually battle cries of a people who believed their King was about to claim back their “Holy City.” The thought of victory through dying on a cross was far from their minds. The word “passion” actually means to “suffer” and so this Sunday begins the week in which we are invited to live the suffering of Christ.
GOOD FRIDAY: April 19The service dates back to the third century and certainly marks the solemnity of this day. The Passion and death of our Lord is read from the Gospel, followed by a homily. The prayers of the people call us to remember our responsibility and continue the mission of Jesus in the wake of his death. The liturgy concludes in silence.
EASTER SUNDAY: April 21The Great Feast Day has arrived and joy is in the air. The Feast of Easter is celebrated through the music, the choirs, the trumpets, the flowers, the colors and all the preparations seen and unseen. The Paschal Candle, lit at the Vigil the night prior, stays in the sanctuary through all 50 days of the Easter season as a reminder of how we, with Christ have passed from death into new life. The Eucharist takes on a renewed meaning as we share in the body and the blood of Christ with a new sense of commitment. And even the post-communion prayer echoes louder: And now Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
MAKING DISCIPLES. SERVING THE CITY.
Grace Church Seattle is a worshipping community in Capitol Hill, Seattle rooted in the belief that the historic Christian gospel is true, compelling, and transformative.
Worship Location 1300 E Aloha St Seattle, WA 98102 Office Location 400 E Pine, Suite 215 Seattle, WA 98122
graceseattle.org [email protected]
