Loving People To Christ
Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 19th, 2023
Prayer
Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Jesus, keep me humble. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Collect
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits and serve You in willing obedience. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 42: 14-21
Epistle Reading Ephesians 5: 8-14
Holy Gospel John 9: 1-41
Sermon "Are You Blind?" Blindness is a serious disability. Spiritual blindness is deadly.
Third Sunday of Lent, March 12th, 2023
Prayer
For by grace you have been saved, through faith. This is not your own doing. It is the gift of God. Not the result of works. so that no one may boast. O Father, hear my supplication. O Savior, Son of God, accept my adoration. O Holy Spirit, be my ever-faithful guide that I may serve You. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Collect
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. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Exodus 17: 1-7
Epistle Reading Romans 5: 1-8
Holy Gospel John 4: 5-30
Sermon "I'm Thirsty". It was a simple enough request; Will you give me a drink? However, the ramifications are huge. Today we will begin to understand why."
Second Sunday of Lent, March 5th, 2023
Prayer
Merciful Father, may this season of Lent be a lifestyle of continual vigilance to the severity of my sins and to the fullness of Your forgiveness. May I be continually aware that, through Jesus' suffering and death on my behalf, this forgiveness is mine, today and every day. Replace the ashes of my sinful life with joy in the Gospel of Jesus. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Collect
O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power, defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Old Testament Reading Genesis 3: 1-21
Epistle Reading Romans 4: 1-8
Holy Gospel John 3: 1-17
Sermon "Nearly everyone knows John 3:16 by heart. But do you know John 3: 17?
Perhaps this verse is the more important of the two"
First Sunday of Lent, Feb. 26th, 2023
Prayer
God, our Provider, grant me the wisdom to discern opportunities before me and the faith to follow Your way that I might always do what pleases You. I am humbled that You are ever present and living through me. As Lent begins, make it far more than merely a church calendar event. Make it a renewal of my devotion to You, with a rededication of my love for You and a passion to share You as One who turns the ashes of death in this life into resurrection joy. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Collect
O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power, defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
Old Testament Reading Genesis 3: 1-21
Epistle Reading Romans 5: 12-19
Holy Gospel Matthew 4: 1-11
Sermon "Did God Really Say? One of the greatest temptations we face is to question God and His wisdom."