March 8 – Second Sunday in Lent

 

Lectionary

Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library online

(http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/BLent/bLent2.htm)

 

Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16

The covenant between Abram, Sarai, and God.

Psalm 22:23–31 (VU pg. 746 parts 3 and 4)

You have not hidden your face, O God.

Romans 4:13–25

God’s promise rests on grace and faith.

Mark 8:31–38

Those who lose their life for the gospel will save it.

 

Spark

Drama: develop a modern-day version of Abraham and Sarah’s story: an elderly couple moving from a house in the country to a smaller condo and suddenly needing to find space for a nursery.

 

With Children

Ask whether the children have stories about their names, such as the derivation or meaning of their names, or whether they were named for someone. Bring a name book and share what some names mean. Relate this to Abram and Sarai and the changing of their names.

 

Sermon Starter

Reflecting on the reading from Genesis, deal with making and keeping promises. What does it mean to be a part of a faith lineage? What does it mean to name oneself a follower of Jesus, or a child of Israel? Illustrate and/or explore ways in which we see that God can be trusted to keep promises.

 

Hymns

Hebrew Scriptures

VU 244            “Sing your praise to God eternal”

VU 268            “Bring many names”

VU 274            “Your hand, O God, has guided”

VU pg. 806      “O God, our help in ages past”

MV 161           “I have called you by name”

 

Epistle

MV 97 “Listen, God is calling”

 

Gospel

VU 561            “Take up your cross”

VU 562            “Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult”

MV 113           “Jesus saw them fishing”

MV 172           “God says”

MV 212           “Sent out in Jesus’ name”

 

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 22)

Give praise to the Lord, and bow down
before your God!

We bow down before no worldly power,
but God is great!

Dominion belongs to the Lord,
who rules over the nations!

Let all the ends of the earth remember
and praise the Lord!

 

Commissioning

The Lord remembers even the poor,
and despises no one!

In our distress, we call to the Lord!

Call to the Lord, and God will hear your prayer!

The Lord will do saving deeds in my life!

 

Neil Young, Erindale United Church, Mississauga, Ont.