March 22 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 22 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

Lectionary

Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library online

(http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/BLent/bLent4.htm)

 

Numbers 21:4–9

A bronze serpent heals the people.

Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22 (VU pg. 831 parts 1 and 2)

God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Ephesians 2:1–10

We are not saved by our own doing, but by grace.

John 3:14–21

For God so loved the world.

 

Spark

Begin the service with a rant moving around the five aspects of grief, i.e., denial, grief, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Move toward truth and reconciliation.

 

With Children

Draw a parallel: when kids are in trouble and need some external influence, e.g., when they cut themselves, have a cold or have done something bad, they can turn to God. All of us can ask for help in times of trouble. God is always there, but sometimes we do not notice until we need something.

 

Sermon Starter

What leaves us grumbling in the wilderness? What is our wilderness? Are we in denial of our own brokenness? Our actions could result in the suffering of others. How does this lead us away from God? How does God work with the things that happen in life, both good and bad? Explore possible areas of grace, places of healing where God opens another door. We need to recognize the grace that is there, not block it; we need to open ourselves to its good possibilities.

 

Hymns

Hebrew Scripture

VU 112            “O God, how we have wandered”

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

MV 65             “When we are tested”

Psalm

MV 62             “There is room for all”

 

Epistle

VU 263            “Our God’s a fortress”

VU 356            “Seek ye first the kingdom”

VU 371            “Open my eyes, that I may see”

VU 685            “We turn to you”

 

Gospel

VU 258            “O world of God”

VU 504            “How clear is our vocation, Lord”

 

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 107)

Give thanks to the Lord, for God is gracious!

God’s steadfast love endures forever!

May our worship today
be a sacrifice of thanksgiving!

May we find joy in telling about
what the Lord has done!

 

Commissioning

Cry out to the Lord, and God will hear you!

The Lord our God will do great things for us!

The Lord will satisfy all those who are thirsty for right-living!

The Lord will fill every kind of hunger with good things!

 

Neil Young, Erindale United Church, Mississauga, Ont.