Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
- Altar colour: Violet
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Exodus 20:1-17 The ten commandments
PSALM Psalm 19*For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Christ crucified – God’s power and wisdom
GOSPEL John 2:13-22 Jesus cleanses the temple and gives a sign
- Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on first reading: edited for lay reading sermon – exodus 20 1-17 – year b – lent 3 ; Pr Stephen Pietsch
Based on gospel reading: Pr Roger Atze ; Pr Simon Cooper
- Orders of service:
Lent Sunday Word and Prayer (pdf / doc / ppt)
Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
Almighty God,
look upon the heartfelt desires
of your humble servants,
and stretch out your mighty hand
to defend us against all our enemies;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Almighty God,
look in mercy on our heartfelt desires,
and stretch out your mighty hand
to defend us.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, alternative
(Let us pray for strength in temptation. [silence])
Lord God, our strength,
the battle of good and evil rages
within and around us.
Keep us firm in our faith in your Son,
and when we fall,
raise and restore us.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new
(Let us pray that we live repentant lives. [silence])
Holy and merciful God,
we thank you for giving your Son Jesus
to die on the cross for us sinners.
Turn us away from our sins
and back to a life of trust in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen. - Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church- Lent 3B
- Offering prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for Christ crucified,
as your wisdom and the power that saves us.
Help us to have no other gods but you,
and to live our lives fully committed to you,
obeying your commandments
and loving and serving other people.
Amen. - Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to download the modernised text file) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Exodus 20:1-17
LHS
270 The law of God is good and wise G3
345 O that the Lord would guide my ways* G6
353 Holy Father, Thou hast taught me* G5
355 May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfil* G3
AT
120 One God
TIS
117 The Lord Jehovah reigns
428 Help us, O Lord, to learn
576 O for a closer walk with theeSecond reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
LHS
54 When I survey the wondrous cross G5
75 We sing the praise of Him who died G5
80 Praise to the Holiest in the height G8
162 In Jesus I find peace and rest (esp v 3)* G3
171 In the cross of Christ I glory G4
807 Lift high the cross GS
823 Your strong Word broke through the darkness G5
AT
244 We have seen the Word of life
466 I am aware
531 How the world was won
535 Never by might
TIS
141 Praise to the holiest in the height
174 Morning glory, starlit sky
192 Christ is the world’s redeemer
262 When pain and terror strike by chance
342 When I survey the wondrous cross
343 Nature with open volume stands
347 We sing the praise of him who died
349 In the cross of Christ I glory
351 Lift high the cross
422 Come, Holy Spirit, come (esp vv 1,2)Gospel: John 2:13-22
LHS
49 Alone Thou goest forth, O Lord G5
187 Glorious things of Thee are spoken* G9
188 Built on a rock the Church doth stand* G4
197 Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word* G5
AT
125 Man more than man
TIS
355 Man more than man
436 Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word
446 Glorious things of you are spokenPSALM 19
TIS 7, The sky tells the glory of God, is a version of Psalm 19:1-5, and TIS 8, God’s law is perfect, is a version of Psalm 19:7-10.The Iona song ‘May the words of my mouth’ in AT 323 may be used as a congregational refrain, while a reader reads the verses of Psalm 19. AT 518 ‘May the words’ would also be suitable.
The following paraphrase of Psalm 19 by David Schütz is sung to either St Denio (LH 392, TIS 143) or Foundation (LHS A4, TIS 578). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
Accept now, O Lord, my redeemer, my rock,
the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart.
The heavens are telling your glory and power,
your handwork is shown by the sky all around.Though night teaches night, and though day speaks to day,
no language is heard in the words that they say.
And yet their voice goes throughout all of the world,
their words are conveyed to the end of the earth.God set up a tent for the sun in the sky;
it comes like a bridegroom on his wedding day,
and runs, like an athlete, from morning to night,
and nothing is hidden from its burning light.The Lord’s law is perfect, reviving the soul;
his precepts are right, making saddened hearts whole.
His teachings are certain, they make us all wise;
and all his commandments give light to our eyes.The fear of the Lord will forever endure.
His judgments are righteous and holy and pure,
far sweeter than honey, more precious than gold;
in them both a warning and promise is told.But no-one can know all the things they’ve done wrong,
so cleanse me from those secret things that I’ve done.
From sinning intention’ly, Lord, keep me free,
then holy and blameless forever I’ll be.Music Resources Vol 3– Psalm settings- Psalm 19 p26 , Psalm 19 p27 , Psalm 19 p28
Thanks for all these resources. I’ve found them very useful in my preparation to take a service. There’s so much there and helpful comments too on music and sermons.
Once again – thanks and may God continue to bless your work.