March 4 Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 17:17, 1516
The covenant between Abram, Sarai, and God.
Psalm 22:2331 (VU p.
746 Parts Three and Four)
You have not hidden your face, O God.
Romans 4:1325
Gods promise rests on grace and faith.
Mark 8:3138
Those who lose their life for the gospel will save it.
Spark
Display or project pictures showing differences, e.g., ethnicities/nationalities/heritages, ages, styles of dress, hair colour, eye colour.
Theme Engagement Question
How is losing our life in God different from losing our life in work, finances, perfectionism?
With Children
Drape a large sheet or blanket over your shoulders. Set out two of your favourite foods on either side of you. Have the children help you decide which food you will focus on. Then as you move toward that food item, wrap the blanket/sheet around you and have the children help you get more and more tightly wrapped in the blanket/sheet, until you can barely reach the one item and cannot reach the other. Look at the food item you cant reach and share with the children how sometimes we get so wrapped up in one thing, we lose the chance to enjoy the variety of all God offers us. As much as eating one favourite thing seems good at the time, it is in variety and balance that we experience a full life and get to understand God better. Ask the children to help you get disentangled.
Sermon Starter
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in something that it becomes all-consuming. What was once life-giving can become life-denying, even ones greatest passion, e.g., parenting, work, ideals, dreams. What are we fixated on at this moment, something that once gave vision and hope and life, but is now a burden and no longer life-giving? What do we need to let go of so we can be mindful of life in its full array, remembering that life can also mean soul or spirit? The Mark passage invites us to consider what losing our life really means.
Hymns
Hebrew Scripture
VU 236 Now thank we all our God
VU 580 Faith of our fathers
VU 634 To Abraham and Sarah
VU 707 For the faithful who have answered
MV 148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah
Psalm
MV 30 Its a song of praise to the Maker
MV 62 There is room for all
MV 190 Laughter lit the stars of morning
Epistle
VU 288 Great is thy faithfulness
VU 589 Lord, speak to me
MV 191 What can I do?
Gospel
VU 567 Will you come and follow me
VU 670 Precious Lord, take my hand