25B. FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT - YEAR B

(Colour: Violet or Purple)

Jeremiah 31:31-34 I Will Make a New Covenant

Psalm 51:1-13 (1-12 NRSV) A Prayer for Forgiveness

/or/ Psalm 119:9-16 Obedience to the Law of the Lord

Hebrews 5:5-10 Jesus the Great High Priest

John 12:20-33 Some Greeks See Jesus

___________________

SENTENCES:

"Give me justice, O God, and defend my cause against the wicked; rescue me from deceitful and unjust men. You, O God, are my refuge." (Psalm 43:1-2)

"I will give thanks to you with an upright heart; with all my heart I seek you. Be good to your servant that I may live and keep your words. Give me life according to your word." (Psalm 119:7, 10, 17, 25)

"I will put my law within them and write in on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33)

"He who lives and believes in me will not die for ever, said the Lord." (John 11:26)

"Anyone who serves me must follow me, says the Lord, and where I am, there shall my servant be also." (John 12:26)

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SELECTIONS:

(John 12:23-28)

Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--' Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

(Hebrews 5:5-10)

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you."

(Jeremiah 31:31-34)

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt--a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

(Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

(Psalm 119:9-16)

How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 0 With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. 1 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes. With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth. I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

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POSSIBLE THEMES:

Christ, the High Priest of the New Covenant

Create in me a clean heart, O God

I will not forget your word, O God

Our new relationship with God

The Divine Lover

The Heart of the Matter

The Resurrection and the Life

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies

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COLLECTS and PRAYERS:

Father, help us to be like Christ your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by his love, guide us by his example, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. AMEN.

Hear, O Father, the cry of Your Son, who, to establish the new and everlasting covenant, became obedient to death upon the cross. Grant that, through all the trials of this life, we may come to share more intimately in His redeeming passion; and so obtain the fruitfulness of the seed that falls to the earth and dies, to be gathered as Your harvest for the kingdom. We ask this through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.

(from "Uniting in Worship", Leader's Book, p. 244.)

Most merciful God, by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, You created humanity anew. Grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross, we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(from 'Starters for Sunday', Church of Scotland, 2009.)

Father, help us to be like Christ your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by his love, guide us by his example, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

(from 'CanticaNova', http://www.canticanova.com/planning/year-b/pln5lb_l.htm)

Hear, O Father, the cry of Your Son, who, to establish the new and everlasting covenant, became obedient to death upon the cross. Grant that, through all the trials of this life, we may come to share more intimately in His redeeming passion; and so obtain the fruitfulness of the seed that falls to the earth and dies, to be gathered as Your harvest for the Kingdom. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN.

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WCC PRAYERS:

(Week 13: 22 to 29 March)

Let us pray with the peoples of China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR: "Lord of history, make us strong. Help us to live today as if it is tomorrow, so that the past no longer binds the future; through Christ our Lord. AMEN."

(from "With All God's People" WCC Geneva)

/or/

Lord our God: Enlighten your church, that wherever it may be, it will never seek for its interests but will only serve you faithfully. Grant your church wisdom and courage, that it may break down all boundaries, so that humankind will become one again. In Jesus' name. AMEN.

(from 'In God's Hands', WCC Geneva, http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/week-13-china-hong-kong-macau.html)

(Week 14: 29 March to 5 April)

Let us pray with the peoples of Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore: "O God of many names, lover of all nations, we pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our nation, in our world: the peace of Your will, the peace of our need; through Christ our Lord. AMEN."

(from "With All God's People" WCC Geneva)

(See also: 'In God's Hands', Wcc Geneva,

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/week-14-brunei-malaysia-singapore.html)

(Week 15: 5 to 12 April)

Let us pray with the people of East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines: Give thanks for the richness of the diverse races, cultures and religious communities of the Indonesian Archipelago. Pray for peace and reconciliation between Christians, Muslims, and other ethnic/religious groups.

(from "With All God's People", WCC Geneva)

=====[ A SUNDAY REFLECTION ]=====

"THE STAR THROWER"

The way of the cross, this losing of one's life for others is not for Jesus alone. His way of life for us not only brought us life, but also is to be our way of life. To use others for one's life is the one way of life. To use one's life for others is another way of life. It is the way of Christ, and eternal life.

Loren Eiseley's book, The Unexpected Universe, has a chapter entitled "The Star Thrower." Eiseley tells of an incident that happened on a tropical beach. During a certain time, the surf would cast shellfish onto the shore. Professional collectors and sellers greedily descended on the beach, swooping them up to cart them home, to boil them, to clean out the living creatures and sell the shells.

On the far end of the beach he watched a lonely figure, stooping, picking up starfish one by one and throwing them back into the sea. "Do you collect?" Eiseley asked him. "Only like this," the person replied, throwing another into the water. "I collect only for the living. See, one can help them."

In the midst of a world where multitudes callously exploit the dying universe and a dying people for their own benefit, came one solitary figure. Like the star thrower, he moved among the debris of humanity. His mission was one of rescuing, reclaiming, and restoring those who lay helpless, stranded on the shore, tossed up by the storms of life. He gave Himself as a ransom for us and in that self-giving is the key to our freedom and our life. His voice calls us from the cross and echoes in the empty tomb: "Come, follow Me. Lift high the cross. Serve as I have served you. Stoop down and become a star thrower too."

-- Dan Benuska

LET US PRAY: Almighty, ever-living God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your will by becoming man and giving His life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to You by following His example of suffering, and make us worthy to share in His resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. AMEN.

====[ IDEAS FOR WORSHIP ]====

Other Worship resources (and useful links) may found at:

STEPPING STONES: A Web Guide to Lectionary-Based Resources for Worship

and Preaching (http://www.digtree.org.au/steppingstones)

AND: Starters For Sunday (Worship on the Web - Church of Scotland)

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/wpstarters.htm

______________________

22B. FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

(Sunday, 15th March, 2009.)

===[ WE GATHER IN GODS NAME ]===

(* PRELUDE) /or/

(* PRE-SERVICE SINGING)

PRAYER OF PREPARATION:

Alone with none but You, my God, I journey on my way;

What need I fear when You are near, O Lord of night and day?

More secure am I within Your hand

Than if a multitude did round me stand.

-- St. Columba (AD 521-597)

* INTROIT: TIS #382 - "NOW THE GREEN BLADE RISES" (vs. 1)

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,

Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain:

Love lives again, that with the death has been:

Love has come again, like wheat the springs up grain.

-- by John M.C. Campbell Crum, 1872-1958.

/or/

"CHRIST BE BESIDE ME" [Tune: Bunnessan, 'Morning Has Broken']

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,

Christ be behind me, King of my heart.

Christ be within me, Christ be below me,

Christ be above me, never to part.

-- from St. Patrick's Breastplate, 8th century.

(adapted by James Quinn)

/or/

"THE DOXOLOGY" (TIS #768ii Tune: Fairhill)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise God all creatures here below,

Praise God above the heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

GREETING: "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God,

And the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

["AND ALSO WITH YOU!"]

"GOD IS HERE; LET US KEEP REVERENCE - ON THIS DAY AND IN THIS HOUR."

Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. AMEN.

CALL TO WORSHIP: (based on Psalm 51)

Have mercy on us, O Lord, in your great kindness!

Blot out our wrongdoings,

and remember your promises!

We acknowledge our faults;

we know that we have sinned!

Accept our sacrifice of hearts willing to change!

(by Neil Young, Erindale United Church, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.)

/or/

O God, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

AMEN.

(by James G. Kirk, "When We Gather", Year B, p. 62.)

/or/

ONE: Everything on earth has its own time and its own season

TWO: There is a time to be born and a time to die;

There is a time to plant and a time to reap

THREE: There is a time for killing and a time for healing;

a time for destroying and a time for building.

ONE: There is a time for crying and a time for laughing;

a time for weeping and a time for dancing.

There is a time to embrace and a time to separate.

TWO: There is a time for finding and for losing;

a time for keeping and for giving

THREE: At times we must speak, at others we must listen.

There are times to tear things up in frustration

and times to mend our fences.

ONE: There are times when loving comes naturally;

times when all we feel is hate,

times when we set our minds on war

times when we search our hearts for peace

TWO: Everything that happens, has happened before

And all that will be has already been

THREE: God is committed to the seasons and cycles of life

(by Alison Molineux, Epsom Methodist Church,

Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand)

* HYMN OF PRAISE: TIS #142 (AHB #84) - "Glory Be To God The Father

/or/ TIS #194 (AHB #6) - "O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High!" (vs. 1-2, 4 & 7)

______________________

A PRAYER OF PREPARATION: O God, You fashioned the covenant and sealed it with the promise of life everlasting. We praise You for mercies that are boundless and sure. Your ways are just, Your grace is unending. Fill us now with Your Spirit, as we gather before You. Teach us Your ways, for we seek to be faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(by James G. Kirk, "When We Gather", Year B, p. 62.)

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: Today is the Fifth Sunday in Lent. Lent is a time when we are invited to journey with our Lord Jesus in faith, study and prayer. We are invited to reflect upon our lives. We are invited to make a deeper personal commitment to God.

______________________

CALL TO CONFESSION: As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of God's love in our worship, let us come to Him in humble prayer, seeking His forgiveness, mercy and strength ...

LET US PRAY:

O God of forgiveness, we pray for new life as we confess our old ways. We hear of Your promise amid our own sense of self-doubt. Hope is proclaimed, yet we seek guarantees. Christ calls us to obedience, but we set down our own pre-conditions. When called on to follow, we ask "to what end?" We applaud commitment, but we treasure our own comfort first. Forgive us, O God, our reluctance to walk in newness of life. Bring back to our hearts that love and devotion that we knew in our childhood when we first said to You and to others that we wanted to follow Jesus ... LORD, IN YOUR MERCY [Hear our prayer] ... through Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us. AMEN.

(by James G. Kirk, "When We Gather", Year B, p. 62.)

/or/

Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be Your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may follow Your commands and proclaim Your reign of love; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN.

(from the "Lutheran Book of Worship")

/or/

O God, maker of every thing and judge of all that You have made, from the dust of the earth You have formed us and from the dust of death You would raise us up. By the redemptive power of the cross, create in us clean hearts and put within us a new spirit, that we may repent of our sins and lead lives worthy of Your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(by Lawrence Hull Stookey, based on Gen. 3:19, Psalm 51:10, I Th. 2:12)

/or/

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

VOICE 1: Jesus said:

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,

it remains alone. But if it dies it bears much fruit."

VOICE 2: When Jesus walked among us on earth he sowed seeds of hope:

seeds of healing

seeds of justice

seeds of God's new reign

but they were just seeds, small and easily lost.

It took the winter of his death, the dark safe space of the tomb,

for those seeds to grow into resurrection life.

/silence/

VOICE 1: When Jesus walked among us he planted seeds

in the heart of his disciples

They were just seeds, seeds of hope for themselves and their world.

Small and easily lost, they needed fertile human soil to grow

VOICE 2: Seeds of justice, forgiveness, acceptance.

Seeds which they, and we struggle to grow.

BOTH : Sometimes we lose them or forget them.

Sometimes we're so keen we over-water them

Or, like a child with her carrot tops,

pull them up far too early to see if they are ready

Sometimes we despair that nothing seems to change

Sometimes they are just too insignificant, too ugly.

(Pause)

BOTH: Yet they are there.

(Pause)

BOTH: Let us sow our seeds in faith

Let us tend them in hope

When the ground we walk on seems rocky and cold

We remember the tomb, whose stone was rolled away on Easter Day.

(by Alison Molineux, Epsom Methodist Church,

Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand)

______________________

ASSURANCE OF GODS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS:

HEAR THE GOOD NEWS! - Although He was as we are, Jesus "learnt obedience through what He suffered; and being made perfect He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." Today, as we come before God confessing our sins, Jesus the High Priest is our source of strength and love.

Trust in the word of Christ - In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

["THANKS BE TO GOD! AMEN!"]

______________________

SHARING WITH THE FAMILY OF GOD: [For the Young and Young at Heart]

Spark:

Using a PowerPoint presentation or collage, link biblical images of desert and wilderness with images of "deserts" in modern-day society, e.g., folks using cell phones in a crowd or in a restaurant and ignoring those around them, or other images that show situations of aloneness/exile.

(from 'Gathering', United Church of Canada, 2009.)

With Children:

"To know by heart": What do you know by heart, e.g., the alphabet, phone numbers, a poem, a night-time prayer? You might refer to John 3:16 from last Sunday's reading and have children memorize this for today, or work on memorizing the Lord's Prayer with the children.

(from 'Gathering', United Church of Canada, 2009.)

/or/

Part of God's family: Does everyone in your family have the same colour hair? Eyes? Skin? Does everyone wear glasses? Does everyone in your family have the same last name? Not everyone, right? So whatever makes our family what it is must not be stuff like that. What makes your family what it is? I think it has to do with how we feel about each other - not whether we all look the same or have the same last name or even live in the same house.

God's family is like that, too. God's children live all around the world. We don't have the same last name, we don't live in the same place, we don't have the same colour hair or skin or eyes, but we are all God's family. And it has to do with how we feel about each other and how we're all connected by God's Spirit inside us.

(from 'Gathering', United Church of Canada, 2003.)

/or/

For Children:

A sunflower is an excellent example to use to illustrate seeds dying to bring about new life and growth. A sunflower is extremely fruitful as one flower can yield up to 2000 seeds - from 1 seed.

To "make" a sunflower: take a plain white paper plate and paint yellow petals around edge. Buy 500gms sunflower seeds and put them in the foot section of dark brown stocking/pantyhose. Squash to make a rough circle in middle of paper plate and staple around edges. Between now and Easter, wrap 2 or 3 seeds in small piece of plastic and have children organised to hand them out as a symbol of abundant new life to people as they leave church on Easter Day.

People are invited to eat the seeds or to plant them in pots or gardens.

(by Moira Laidlaw, Lent 5B.)

______________________

SHARING GOD'S PEACE:

God invites us to share with each other the Covenant Promise given to us in Jesus - a promise of Faith, Hope and Love:

THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALL!

["And Also with You"]

[NOTICES / INTIMATIONS / MINUTE FOR MISSION]

* HYMN: TIS #242 (AHB #183) - "I Danced in the Morning" ['Lord of the Dance']

/or/ TIS #609 (AHB #537) - "May the Mind of Christ My Saviour"

===[ WE LISTEN FOR CHRIST'S WORD ]===

INTRODUCING OUR THEME: Our theme today is "MAKING A DIFFERENCE". Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. The One who believes in me, though he/she shall die, yet shall live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." That is the truth declared in the Scriptures. That is the promised declared for our lives!

As we come to the readings of God's Holy Word in the Scriptures, let us pray for the zeal to follow Christ, who is "our Resurrection and our Life."

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:

Father, we come to the Scriptures today, to listen to Your holy words. Help us to listen and respond to them - that we become like Christ Your son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by His love, and guide us by His example. In His Name we pray. AMEN.

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 31: 31-34

The New Covenant

[God promises a new covenant with the houses of Israel and Judah.]

THE PSALTER: Psalm 51: 10-17

A Prayer for Forgiveness

[Put a new heart in me, O God.]

NEW TESTAMENT: Hebrews 5:5-10

Jesus the Great High Priest

[Christ did not glorify himself; rather he suffered.]

GOSPEL READING: John 12: 20-33

Unless a Grain of Wheat Falls to the Ground

[John speaks of the glorification of the Son of Man.]

A MEDITATION:

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit"

What's this you say?

The grain must die

before the harvest lives?

No life without some death?

Comfort us in the dying.

No birth without some pain?

Sustain us in the pain.

No joy without some sorrow?

Be with us in the tears.

But, remember please!

Dance with us

when the harvest

comes!

(from CanticaNOVA http://liturgy.slu.edu/5LentB040603/prayerpathmain.html)

/or/

"UNLESS A GRAIN FALLS"

Let this be admitted plainly:

I shrink from being buried alive in Christ's mission.

Where is hope to be found in grain shoved underground?

Why was this Jesus

so uncompromising, blunt leaving no other choice

when the world seems full of options not so dull?

I want to seize life

and enjoy its favours savouring its pleasures

without worrying much about the results of such.

Why couldn't he

have made the whole thing a bit easier for once.

"Please yourself," why not say, "and now have a good day?"

Where is the glory

in the precious grain buried in the dark, chill soil?

Why is our way a loss compared to his bleak cross?

Let this be said plainly:

it defies common sense this way that Jesus takes.

Yet when go I just one mile with him, I start to smile.

(Used by Permission. Copyright. Bruce D. Prewer, 2002.)

* SCRIPTURE HYMN: TIS #382 - "Now the Green Blade Rises"

SHARING GOD'S WORD: Proclaiming the Good News

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,

it remains alone. But if it dies it bears much fruit."

"Anyone who serves me must follow me, says the Lord,

and where I am, there shall my servant be also." - John 12:26

Comment:

The old passes away, the new emerges. The grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies. From it springs the stalk that in time produces much fruit. Death's sting is tempered by the promise of new life. Do not cling to old ways that hinder your ability to realise the hope of the Gospel. Rather, let what you glean from the past lead to fresh insight, so that you may mature in faith.

(by James G. Kirk, "When We Gather", Year B, p. 62.)

Sermon Starters:

Today's places of exile are different from the deserts and wildernesses of the Bible. Some places of exile might be reality TV, cell phones/BlackBerries at the Christmas dinner table. Another avenue to explore might be God's people serving God and what needs to come to an end for us to become more humble and serving, i.e., letting go of our own personal agenda to leave space for God's.

(from 'Gathering', United Church of Christ, 2009.)

/or/

Jeremiah stands out among the prophets. A "jeremiad" means a thunderous and doleful denunciation, and its derivation is no mystery. But Jeremiah also clowned around in a rotten loincloth, played with a potter's wheel, and counted figs in the marketplace. And he also invested in land at the worst possible moment to demonstrate his conviction about the future. Here he speaks of a new covenant. It is not a covenant between two or three parties, but among everyone, together. It will not be a transcendent covenant, but an immanent one - in the heart of every believer.

(from 'Gathering', United Church of Christ, 2003.)

===[ WE RESPOND TO THE SPIRITS VOICE ]===

* SCRIPTURE HYMN: TIS #242 (AHB #183) - "I Danced in the Morning"

['Lord of the Dance']

/or/ TIS #495 (AHB #416) - "Father, We Give You Thanks, Planted"

THE CREED: The Nicene Creed /or/ The Apostles Creed

[In unity with Christians through the ages, let us stand and affirm our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed (the Apostles Creed) ... ]

/or/

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

We believe in Jesus Christ who,

though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death

-- even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

-- Philippians 2:5-11

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[NOTICES / INTIMATIONS / MINUTE FOR MISSION]

PRAYERS OF PETITION & INTERCESSION:

(** Recommended)

/See/ "Traces of Glory", by David Adam, Year B, pp. 57-59.

/or/ "Let Us Pray" by Janet Nelson, pp. 120-121.

/or/ "Companion to the RCL" by Christine Odell, Vol I, p. 79.

/or/ "When We Gather" by James G. Kirk, Year B, p. 63.

/or/ "Prayers for the Seasons of God's People", Year B, pp. 85-86.

/or/ "Lord for All Seasons", by Ted Burge, p. 105.

/or/

[Lord, in Your Love ... "HEAR OUR PRAYER."]

God of our salvation, we remember at the time how our Lord Jesus Christ faced suffering and death that the glory of Your love might be revealed and draw all the world to You. And so we pray for those who face suffering.

We bring to You, compassionate God, those who are ill; perhaps dreading what the future may hold, or undergoing painful treatment, or frustrated by the limitations illness imposes. We pray especially for ... /intercessions/ ...

God with us, in the darkness of suffering:

MAY THE GLORY OF YOUR LOVE BE REVEALED.

We bring to You, compassionate God, those who are in need; the homeless, the hungry and malnourished, the lonely and unloved. We pray especially for ... /intercessions/ ...

God with us, in the darkness of suffering:

MAY THE GLORY OF YOUR LOVE BE REVEALED.

We bring to You, compassionate God, those who grieve: those who watch over the dying, the recently bereaved. We pray especially for ... /intercessions/ ...

God with us, in the darkness of suffering:

MAY THE GLORY OF YOUR LOVE BE REVEALED.

We bring to You, compassionate God, those needing forgiveness; some eaten up by guilt, others burdened with empty lives or unable to love. We pray especially for ... /intercessions/ ...

God with us, in the darkness of suffering:

MAY THE GLORY OF YOUR LOVE BE REVEALED.

We bring to You, compassionate God, our own suffering:

Our pain at falling short as Your children;

Our pain at seeing the pain of others;

Our pain embraced in the name of love; and especially ... /intercessions/ ...

God with us, in the darkness of suffering:

MAY THE GLORY OF YOUR LOVE BE REVEALED.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who, by His sufferings, has brought us wholeness and joy. AMEN.

(by Christine Odell, "Companion to the RCL", p. 79.)

===[ THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORDS SUPPER: THE HOLY EUCHARIST ]===

[SENTENCE]

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24)

[INVITATION TO THE LORD'S TABLE]

* COMMUNION/OFFERTORY: TIS #595 (AHB #514) - "O Jesus, I Have Promised"

[OFFERING and DEDICATION]

God of grace and glory, You strengthened Jesus for the trials that lay ahead. Strengthen us, we pray, to be Jesus' faithful followers, with His love inscribed on our hearts and woven into all our actions. May these gifts and our lives, which we offer in response to Your love and Your mercy, be used in fruitful ways to proclaim faith in Christ crucified and risen. Amen

(by Moira Laidlaw, Lent 5B.)

/or/

Most giving and forgiving God, You provide for our every need. You open our lips to offer You praise. You strengthen our hands to respond to Christ's call. With hearts, hands, and voices renewed by Your Spirit, we place now before You our commitment to serve. Use this offering, and use us, in ways that will benefit others. Accept what we offer as a sign our faith; through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(by James G. Kirk, "When We Gather", Year B, p. 63.)

/or/

As we bring our gifts, draw us to Yourself, Lord Jesus, not that we may escape, but that we may be strengthened to do Your work in the world. For this You died and for this You continue to live: that we may affirm Your mission and enter Your ministry. AMEN.

[SETTING OF THE TABLE - WORDS OF INSTITUTION]

According to Luke when our Risen Lord was at table with His disciples, He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised Him. From that day onwards they gave witness to the Risen Lord through Word and Sacrament. Today we do the same.

[THE GREAT THANKSGIVING] (standing)

Leader: The Lord be with you!

People: AND ALSO WITH YOU!

Lift up your hearts.

People: WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God:

People: IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE OUR THANKS AND PRAISE!

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,

for you have taken us by the hand,

and offered yourself to us in a sacred covenant.

You are the creator of all things;

you knew the earth and its inhabitants before their birth.

You led a suffering people from slavery to freedom,

and offered to be their God

if they would be your people.

Though we broke our vows to you and pursued evil,

in gracious love you offered us a new covenant

embodied in your Son, Jesus,

who was made perfect on the path of obedience,

even in the face of suffering.

Lifted up on a cross to die,

he has drawn all people to himself;

and raised from the dead,

he has become the source of eternal salvation

for all who live in obedience

to the new law you have written on our hearts.

ALL: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the One whose coming we await with joy.

Hosanna in the highest.

(Copyright 2003 Nathan Nettleton www.laughingbird.net,

http://www.laughingbird.net/LectionTexts/B22.html#Eucharistic%20Preface)

/or/

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

The suffering and death of your Son

brought life to the whole world,

moving our hearts to praise your glory.

The power of the cross reveals your judgment on this world

and the kingship of Christ crucified.

We praise you, Lord, with all the angels and saints

in their song of joy:

ALL: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the One whose coming we await with joy.

Hosanna in the highest.

(from 'CanticaNova', http://www.canticanova.com/planning/year-b/pln5b_l.htm)

______________________

[PRAYER OF CONSECRATION and ACCLAMATION]

Holy God, you brought a new relationship to birth in Jesus Christ to bring your unconditional love into even greater focus. He graced lives with healing and hope, with compassion and power and as if that were not enough, he gave his very life for us. On the night of his betrayal, as he sat at the table and broke bread with his friends, he said: 'Take and eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Remember me each time you do this.' After they had eaten, he took the cup, and said: 'Remember me as you drink from this, for it is my life, poured out for you - the beginning of a new relationship with God.'

God of all power, breathe your Holy Spirit upon us, and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the life of Christ and that we may make that life visible through our faithful witness to the gospel. In Jesus' name we pray. AMEN.

(by Moira B. Laidlaw, http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/liturgies/main/index.php?ch_table=link4&PID=2&SID=&year=B)

______________________

[THE LORD'S PRAYER]

(Modern Version)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. AMEN.

-- English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC)

/or/

(An Alternate Translation)

Our Father in heaven, may Your name be honoured.

May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today the food we need.

Forgive us our wrongdoings

as we forgive those who have wronged us.*

Bring us through the hard-testing times

and deliver us from evil's ways.

For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours

now and forever! AMEN.

[translated and adapted by Rev. John Maynard]

(* = or "Forgive us our offences

as we forgive those who have offended us.")

/or/

(An Adaptation in Verse)

Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept

in reverence, honour and awe.

Let Your Reign come and Your will be done,

on earth as in heaven for all.

Feed us today with the food we need;

nourish, refresh us, we pray.

Forgive our wrongdoings as we forgive

those who have wronged us along the way.

And as we go through hard-testing times

deliver us from Evils way.

For the Reign, the Power and Glory are Yours

today and forever always. AMEN.

[Translated by Rev. John Maynard, Copyright 2005.

May be used freely for public worship or personal devotion.]

______________________

[THE BREAKING OF BREAD AND POURING OF WINE]

Minister: (in breaking the bread)

Christ is the bread of joy, who shares food with sinners

/or/

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body,

for we all partake of the one bread.

Minister: (in pouring the wine; or lifting the cup)

Christ is the cup of life, who revives the faint-hearted.

/or/

The cup which we bless is the communion in blood of Christ.

/or/

We break this bread and take this cup so that we can all share

in the life of Christ: God's gifts for God's people.

/OR/

The bread we now break and the cup we take are a sharing in the life of Christ (fraction) As we take this cup of blessing and as we share this bread of life we proclaim his death with gratitude and celebrate his resurrection with joy

The minister holds out the bread and the cup to the people and says:

Let us receive what we are;

let us become what we receive.

The body of Christ.

[LAMB OF GOD THE AGNUS DEI]

Jesus, Firstborn of Mary: HAVE MERCY ON US.

Jesus, Saviour of the world: HAVE MERCY ON US.

Jesus, Monarch of heaven: GRANT US PEACE.

/or/

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: HAVE MERCY ON US.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: HAVE MERCY ON US.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: GRANT US YOUR PEACE.

ALL: Lord, we are not worthy to receive You,

but only say the word and we shall be healed. AMEN.

[PROCLAMATION]

Jesus said: I am the Bread of life.

The one who comes to me shall never be hungry,

and the one who believes in me shall never thirst!

Come to the Table:

Here is the Bread of Life for You;

The Cup of Salvation for You.

/or/

Receive this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ,

and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

[DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS]

/ … according to local custom … /

Ministering Words:

The Bread of Life for You

The Cup of Salvation for You

/or/ The Body of Christ for You

The Blood of Christ for You

/may be sung or played during the distribution .../

Eat this bread, drink this cup: Come to me and never be hungry.

Eat this bread, drink this cup: Trust in me and you will not thirst.

(TIS #714 - "Eat This Bread" from the Taizé Community)

______________________

AFTER DISTRIBUTION: (If the 'Agnus Dei' is not used)

Jesus is the lamb of God

Who takes away the sin of the world.

Happy are they who have been called to His supper.

[DEPARTING PRAYER]

Leader - Bless the Lord, O my soul!

PEOPLE - And that is within us, bless God's holy name!

Leader - Bless the lord, O my soul!

PEOPLE - And forget not all God's benefits!

LET US PRAY:

Lord, we give thanks for these holy mysteries which bring to us here on earth a share in the life to come. We rejoice that you are our creator and ruler. As we call upon your generosity, renew and keep us in your love.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(from 'CanticaNova' Publications)

/or/

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve:

to give, and not to count the cost;

to fight, and not to heed the wounds;

to toil, and not to seek for rest;

to labour, and not to ask for any reward,

except that of knowing that we do your holy will;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

-- Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556

* HYMN OF COMMITMENT: TIS #650 (SA #14) - "Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You"

/or/ TIS #595 (AHB #514) - "O Jesus, I Have Promised"

/or/ TIS #495 (AHB #416) - "Father, We Give You Thanks, Who Planted"

[COMMISSIONING PRAYER]

And now, put a new heart in me, O Lord my God!

Give me a constant and upright spirit!

Break open my heart,

and fill it with your own love!

Open my mouth,

and let me proclaim your praise!

(by Neil Young, Erindale United Church, Mississauga, Ont.

/or/

Most gracious God, source of all blessing, we give you thanks for

inviting us to share this meal as your family. Strengthen us to be a

blessing to one another and to all people, glorifying you in everything

we do and say, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

(by Moira Laidlaw, Lent 5B.)

[WORD OF MISSION]

In the power of the Holy Spirit go forth into the world,

to fulfil your calling as the people of God, the body of Christ.

[BLESSING and DISMISSAL]

Go in peace - love and care for one another in the name of Christ;

May the Father who created light out of darkness,

The Son who is the light of the world,

The Spirit who enlightens everyone,

The Holy Three be with you,

And scatter the darkness from you ...

And may the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Be with you now and stand by you always. (AMEN.)

(adapted from "Traces of Glory", Year B, p. 56.)

/or/

Go in peace - love and care for one another in the name of Christ;

And may the blessing of God fall upon you;

May the living presence of Jesus, our eternal high priest, surround you;

And may the Holy Spirit guide and support you both now and evermore. AMEN.

(by Richard F. Fairchild, Lent 5B.)

/or/

May the Lord make you strong to serve the world in the love of Christ Jesus.

Be bound to Christ for this day and always ...

And may the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Be with you now and stand by you always. (AMEN.)

/or/

May the steadfast love of God,

The powerful love of Jesus Christ

And the invigorating love of the Holy Spirit

Guide you and strengthen you now and forever. AMEN.

(by Moira Laidlaw, Lent 5B.)

* BENEDICTION: TIS #382 - "NOW THE GREEN BLADE RISES" (vs. 4)

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

Then Your touch can call us back to life again -

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

Love has come again, like what that springs up green.

-- by John M.C. Cambell Crum, 1872-1958.

/or/

"CHRIST BE BESIDE ME" [Tune: Bunnessan, 'Morning Has Broken]]

Christ on our right hand, Christ on our left hand,

Christ all around us, shield in the strife.

Christ in our sleeping, Christ in our sitting,

Christ in our rising, light of our life.

-- from St. Patrick's Breastplate, 8th century.

(adapted by James Quinn)

/or/

"THE DOXOLOGY" (TIS #768ii Tune: Fairhill)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise God all creatures here below,

Praise God above the heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

/or/

"SENT FORTH BY GOD'S BLESSING (TIS #531, vs. 1) [Tune: The Ash Grove]

Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing,

The people of God from His table take leave.

The supper is ended; may now be extended

The fruits of His service in all who believe.

The seed of His teaching, our hungry souls reaching,

Shall blossom in action for all human kind.

His grace shall incite us, His love shall unite us

To work for His kingdom, His purpose to find.

(by Omer Westendorf)

===[ ANOTHER SUNDAY REFLECTION ]===

"THE HOUR HAS COME"

"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,

it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:23-24)

Why did the Greeks want to see Jesus? Why did their visit provoke this response?

As they were approached Jerusalem for the last time, just after he had raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus had become immensely popular and the Pharisees had, for the moment, appeared to give up hope of defeating him: (John 12:18-19). The Greeks came to Jesus as foreigners through the agency of a Greek-speaking disciple, Philip: (John 12:20-22) Could they have offered him an escape from what lay ahead?

On the one hand he said, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified, which might be thought appropriate for a popular leader approaching the capital city. But he was talking also of death and, at the same time, of bearing much fruit; and it was difficult to imagine one who might have been the Messiah being put to death. (John 12:34). Paul spoke of it in various ways indicating how we might share in the fruits of death and resurrection:(1 Corinthians 15:37-38; Romans 6:4-5).

It was contrary to both Jewish and gentile cultures to expect anything of one who was hanged on a gibbet: (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 21:23; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25) - the cross being a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

Seriously, do you think the coming of the Greeks posed a real challenge to Jesus? Might he have chosen the role of a successful teacher of wisdom in the tradition of the Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle? Paul did go to Athens to speak and argue with the Athenians for Christ (Acts 17:15-33). Might he not have gone himself? I have no doubt that something like the role of a teacher of wisdom in the Greek tradition was a real option for Jesus. We don't really know what the Greeks said or what they expected, but we do believe according to Christian tradition that Jesus was tempted "in every way as we are".

There remains a deep tension between human wisdom and the way of Christ, but no matter how hard people try to make him just another wise teacher, he will not fit that role. Believers know why: unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth.... Jesus knew why too, but he had to make a choice to go through with it, and it was not an easy choice: (John 12:27)' Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.

By David Beswick (A Complete Sermon may be found at -

http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/L5B99Ser.htm)

===[ MORE REFLECTIONS ON LENT ]===

Deep in thought, my head bowed

I sit with ash upon my forehead -

The sign of the cross visible to the world.

Silent reflection brings forth soul searching

And I realise a sacrifice should be made.

Dilemma strikes and perplexed, I ponder my predicament.

Will I sacrifice watching television? How can I?

That's how I relax when I get the time ...

Will I sacrifice lovely "skinny" cappuccinos? No.

That's how I am sociable with those who need me ...

Will I sacrifice almond milk chocolate? I just can't,

It gives me energy after a long draining day. Maybe,

I should simply sacrifice my doubt,

And let God get on with being ... God.

God of ash and rainbows,

Awaken within us life-bringing seeds of hope.

Startle us with the beauty of Your renewing love.

Water us with the gentle rain of Your Spirit.

Show us the creative possibilities within us. AMEN.

-- Keree Louise Casey (from "With Love to the World")

-----An Australia Psalm-------

"NOT BY BREAD ALONE" by Bruce Prewer

"Man cannot live on bread alone,

but needs every word that God speaks." - Matthew 4:4 (GNB)

"I do have faith, but not enough. Help me to have more." - Mark 9:24 (GNB)

In a world where people live for pride, eating the bread of vanity:

from the conceit that looks for public praise and honours;

from the vainglory that flaunts diplomas and degrees;

from the arrogance of religious and moral swagger;

from the insolence of supposed racial superiority,

save Your children, Lord.

In a world where people live by force, eating the bread of power:

from all attempts to manipulate our friends;

from the temptation to scorn a defeated opponent;

from the desire to use chance advantages to disadvantage others;

from leaders who love to rule more than to serve,

save Your children, Lord.

In a world where people live by greed, eating the bread of cupidity;

from envy of those with larger homes;

from selling our ethics fro a few more dollars;

from trusting the stock-market more than the Scriptures;

from supporting only those charities which offer an income tax deduction,

save Your children, Lord.

In a world where people live by pleasure, eating the bread of sensuality:

from turning food into an extravagant habit;

from cluttering our homes with technological toys;

from using our sexuality fro indulgent lust;

from loving things and using people,

save Your children, Lord. AMEN.

----------

"TRUE OPTIMISM IN TEMPTATION"

The problem of many people who talk about fighting temptation is that they assume we have the reserve and resolve, the will power and strength to do it. They often have an optimistic understanding of the nature of people. Ogden Nash satirically wrote, "I can resist anything except temptation!" and "The only way to get ride of temptation is to give in to it!" There's more truth in his words then we'd like to admit.

La Rochefoucould in "Maxims" (1665) put it this way: "When we resist temptation, it is usually because temptation is weak, not because we are strong."

It's extremely important that we recognise both the strength of our temptations and our limited strength in dealing with them. Only then will we begin to under-stand all that Christ has done for us. It is not because we have won the battles of life that we are confident but because Christ has. It is not because we are so sure of our strength that we face temptation but because we're sure of His presence by us and His power for us.

In a TV movie "Eric", Eric struggled with cancer. In the movie he stands on the beach of the family summer home with his father. "Daddy," he says, "remember how I wanted to swim across the bay with you. We got half way across and I said I couldn't make it. You reached out and held onto me? Well, Daddy, I don't think I can make it now."

Eric's father quietly spread his arms around him and said, "I won't let you go down. Put your arms around my neck, and we'll go on together.

That's Jesus' invitation: Put your arms around Him and together go on.

-- by Dan Benuska