Fifth Sunday of Lent Year C
From the Archives of April 3, 2022 (and April 7, 2019, March 13, 2016, and March 17, 2013)
Worship Resources for April 3, 2022—Fifth Sunday in Lent
Revised Common Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
Narrative Lectionary: Jesus Condemned, John 19:1-16a (Psalm 146)
The prophet Isaiah speaks to the people returning from exile on behalf of God in Isaiah 43:16-21 that God will make a way for them. As God made a way for the people in the Exodus out of their oppression in Egypt, so God will make a way for the exiles out of Babylon through the wilderness. God is doing a new thing—can’t the people sense it? Even the wild animals honor God because God provides for them in the wilderness, and so God will provide for the people. God chose the people of Israel that they might praise God, that they might know God’s mighty deeds in history, as God brings them once again into a land promised.
Psalm 126 is a song of rejoicing in returning from the exile. God has brought great joy to the people. It’s like a dream—those who went out weeping have returned rejoicing. God has restored the people the way God restores the seasonal waters in the desert of the Negev. The people who had everything taken from them except their seeds are returning with arms full of the harvest.
Paul appeals to the church in Philippi because of his background and what he has given up for the sake of Christ in 3:4b-14. He could boast of his heritage and education and experience, but he gave it all up for the sake of Christ. In Paul’s own experience of suffering and imprisonment, he has understood Christ’s sufferings and the power of resurrection. Whatever gains he may have had from his legacy and upbringing, only the knowledge of Christ as his Lord has given meaning to his life and hope for new life. This is what Paul strives for, as he has left behind who he was to cling to who Christ has made him to be.
In John’s account of the Gospel, it is Mary, Martha’s sister, who anoints Jesus’ feet in John 12:1-8. Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus to listen and learn in Luke 10:38-42, and who wept at his feet in John 11:32-36, took a jar of perfume of costly nard to anoint Jesus’ feet. In the other three accounts of this story in the Gospels, more than one disciple complained, not just Judas, who asked why the perfume wasn’t sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus commands Judas (and the other disciples) to leave her alone, that she bought that perfume for the day of his burial, indicating that she was anointing him before death. Jesus then quotes Deuteronomy 15:11, which states that there are always opportunities to show kindness to the poor, though this is often lost in context. In the very next chapter, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, mirroring the act of kindness and preparation that Mary bestowed upon him.
The Narrative Lectionary is following the events of Jesus’ last night before his crucifixion. In last week’s reading, Jesus was questioned by Pontius Pilate. In this week’s reading of 19:1-16a, Pilate handed Jesus over to the soldiers, having him whipped. The soldiers dressed him in a purple robe and crown of thorns, a mockery of a king. Pilate declared he found no reason to charge Jesus, but the crowds called for him to be crucified. The religious leaders claimed Jesus had blasphemed and that was enough for death, but that Pilate needed to be the one to sentence him. Pilate warned Jesus he had the authority to release him, if Jesus would back down from his words, but Jesus told Pilate that Pilate’s authority was given to him from above. It is important to remember that the community of John’s Gospel account was in deep division with their Jewish neighbors in the community, and so the portrayal of Pilate as someone who didn’t want to hand Jesus over but felt forced to is skewed. It is still clear that Pilate had Jesus whipped and beaten. The religious leaders told Pilate they had no king but the emperor, a clear call to Pilate’s authority under Rome, and yet Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Psalm 146 is a song of praise, but also contains a warning not to trust any human beings, any worldly leaders, because they will fall away, and only last so long. God’s faithfulness endures forever. God is the God of our ancestors, of Jacob, and God made the whole earth. God is the one who gives justice to the people oppressed and bread to the hungry, frees the prisoners, protects immigrants, and helps the most vulnerable, the orphans and widows among us. God reigns forever.
Worldly leaders fail us, but God’s reign endures forever. In the stories of our ancestors we know that God will make a way where there is none. God will do a new thing when only the old has remained. God will find a way where there has been no way. Jesus prepares us to serve by washing his disciple’s feet, because we will always have an opportunity to serve one another. Jesus himself was prepared by Mary who acted with compassion to him, because even Christ needs our compassion. Our worldly leaders have failed us, but Christ is victorious, because he emptied himself, becoming like us, and shows us how to love one another and serve one another.
Call to Worship (Psalm 146:1-2, 6, 10)
Praise the Lord!
Let my whole being praise our God!
I will praise the Lord with all my life;
I will sing praises to God as long as I live
God is the maker of heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them.
God is faithful forever,
Reigning from one generation to the next.
Prayer of Brokenness/Confession
We come before You, O God, recognizing that we have put our trust in worldly rulers, in worldly wealth and power. We have lifted up the strong and powerful and have trampled on the poor and needy. We have failed to show compassion to one another, and therefore, have failed to be compassionate to You. Forgive us, O God. Remind us of Your commandment to serve one another, to become last of all, to love one another as we love ourselves. Guide us into Your ways of justice and mercy and restoration, and most of all, Your way of deep compassion, as You have deep compassion for us. In the name of Jesus, who was moved to tears to raise the dead, moved to feed the hungry, moved to turn tables and heal those in need—may we be moved as well. Amen.
Blessing/Assurance
God is on the move. God is always at work, in our world and in our lives. Can you not perceive it? God is doing something new in you. Listen! The rustle of the wind, the song of the bird, even the faint buzz of the electric lights—God is alive. God is amazing. And God loves you madly. Seek healing and forgiveness and work for justice and reparation. God is with you. God is for you. Go! Do the work Christ has called you to do, and know that you are loved and are not alone on this journey of faith. Amen.
Prayer
God of Compassion, remind us that You breathe life into us. You are the still, small voice. You are the one who enfolds us. You know our hearts. You know the knots in our stomachs, the weight on our shoulders, the pain in our temples. Help us to breathe deeply into Your compassion, to love ourselves. Help us to breathe Your love into the stresses of our lives and to release them to You. May we hand over our burdens, O God. May we lay them down. May we stretch out and feel Your love flow through our very veins, knowing that You knit us together, and are continuing to make us new. Heal us, O God, and help us to have deep compassion for ourselves, so we may be filled with Your compassion for one another. Amen.
Worship Resources for April 7th, 2019—Fifth Sunday of Lent
Revised Common Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
Narrative Lectionary: Last Judgment, Matthew 25:31-46 (Psalm 98:7-9)
Continuing the theme of pointing toward hope in the Hebrew scriptures during Lent, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the people who are preparing to return from exile. God, who brought them out of slavery in Egypt, who brought them through the waters, is about to do a new thing. God will make a way through the wilderness and desert, as God did before. All of creation will honor God, for the Creator provides for the people in the wilderness, the very people God created so they might declare God’s praise. By providing for the chosen people, God provides for all of creation.
The psalmist praises God for returning to Zion, returning home to the city promised them out of exile in Psalm 126. Among the nations, the people are praised because other nations see what God has done for the people of Israel. The psalmist asks God to restore the fortunes of the people, the way God fills the rivers in the wilderness. Those who left weeping will return home rejoicing.
Paul, writing from prison to the church in Philippi, uses his own life as an example of living for Christ and not for one’s self in Philippians 3:4b-14. He speaks of when he persecuted the church for what he thought was right, but that it was meaningless in the face of Christ. In knowing Christ, all that Paul strove for before was nothing. In losing everything, gaining Christ was the only thing with meaning. Striving for Christ means leaving the rest behind, even worldly understandings of success, and following the heavenly call of God.
Jesus is anointed in Bethany by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus in John 12:1-8. In the other gospels the woman is unnamed, but in John’s account, this takes place after Lazarus was raised from the dead. Judas questions Mary’s extravagant gift, and how it ought to have been used, but Jesus tells him to leave her alone, that she did this to prepare him for his burial, to be reminded that right now, they have him. Mary, having lost her brother to death then having him raised, is all too aware of the cost of death. Mary’s anointing of Jesus is an acknowledgment that they will not have him forever.
The Narrative Lectionary focuses on the final lesson Jesus tells in Matthew’s Gospel account. In 25:31-46, Jesus describes all the nations gathered on the day of judgment, people separated from one another as a shepherd separates out the sheep from the goats. The king will invite those to come inherit the kingdom, the ones who fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick and visited those in prison. The king says that just as they did it unto the least among them, they did it to him. In the same way, those who didn’t do these things to others will not inherit the kingdom, for as they did not do it to one of the least among them, they did not do it to God. In the end, the way we have lived out our life, the way we have lived out God’s love, is what matters.
Psalm 98:7-9 is the ending of this psalm of praise to God. All of creation praises God who is coming to judge the earth. God will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
How we live our lives is the true testament to faith. Our actions show where our heart is. For Mary, anointing Jesus was her way of seeing him right then. While Judas wondered how many people they could have helped who were poor, Mary was acknowledging that Jesus was with them, right in that moment. They would always have opportunities to help the poor around them, but not to show their love and care for their friend. When Jesus spoke of the day of judgment, he spoke of the consistent actions of those who are faithful—not necessarily those who followed him, or those who even knew of him, but that those who are consistently feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned—the consistency speaks of a life that loves one’s neighbor, and therefore, loves God.
Call to Worship (from Isaiah 43:18-19)
Do not remember the ways of the past;
Do not consider the things of old.
For God is about to do a new thing;
It is springing up all around us!
God will make a way through the wilderness;
God will lead us through the deserted places.
Come, follow Christ, who is leading us into new life;
Come, worship God, whose presence is with us always.
Prayer of Brokenness/Confession
Almighty God, we confess that sometimes we only pay lip service to Your commandment to love one another. We say we love one another, but do not minister to the needs around us. We say we love one another, but fail to see those who are struggling under oppression. We say we love one another, but we ignore the calls for justice and focus on our own lives. Forgive us. Call us into a consistent life, where our values of love, justice, and peace align with both our words and our actions. Call us into Your way of life, in which we truly love one another, meeting the needs of others, and welcoming the stranger among us. Call us to follow You, in all we say and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessing/Assurance
Over and over the psalms sing to us that God’s steadfast love endures forever. There is no time when God will stop loving you. There is nothing you can do that will remove God’s love from you. God’s steadfast love is with you, now and always. Know that You are loved, live into the ways of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration, and share the love of God in word and deed. Amen.
Prayer
God of Peace, grant us peace when our hearts are in turmoil. Grant us peace when we feel hopeless in the world. Grant us peace when there is hate and violence all around. Grant us Your peace, that calls us to work for justice, to welcome the stranger, and to truly love our neighbors. Prince of Peace, lead us in Your ways. Amen.
Worship Resources for March 13th, 2016—Fifth Sunday in Lent
Revised Common Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
Narrative Lectionary: End of the Age, Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 (Psalm 102:12-17)
Isaiah reminds the people that God has brought them through the sea in years past, that God is going to do something new. But what God does will be in line with what has been done before—God will make a path where there is none. God led an entire people out of slavery into freedom, and will lead a people out of exile to their home. All of the wild of creation honors God—for out of the wild God calls the people, and will provide for them in places through inhabitable, for God will make a way.
Psalm 126 is a song of praise to God who brings the people out of exile, who restores the city of David, who turns tears into joy. Those who left weeping and empty, will return with their arms full, for God restores what has been lost.
Philippians 3:4b-14 contains Paul’s persuasive statement that of all people, he has the authority to speak from his background, and yet his background means nothing in Christ. There are no credentials accepted in the reign of God; rather, one must shed their credentials, to anything worldly they believe makes them righteous, because true righteousness comes from God based on faith (vs. 9). There is no finish line here on earth, but all must “press on” to do the work of Christ in this world.
John’s version of Jesus being anointed at Bethany in 12:1-8 is the only version that names the woman who anoints him: Mary, Lazarus and Martha’s sister. Martha has served the meal and Lazarus is present, but just like in Luke 10:38-42, Mary comes to Jesus’ feet, this time to anoint them, and to wipe his feet with her hair. John’s account names Judas solely as the disciple opposed to her action, claiming the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor, and Jesus counters with “You always have the poor with you.” This is not meant to dismiss the needs of the poor, but rather that we always have opportunities to help the poor and we don’t often do it ourselves, but judge others who do not. Jesus tells Judas not to judge her for her act of kindness. We ought not to judge others for their acts of kindness and generosity, but we ought to judge ourselves for not caring for the poor among us.
The Narrative Lectionary covers Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 with the disciples and Jesus’ observations of the temple, and while the disciples marvel at the building of the temple, Jesus warns of the destruction of the temple and the coming of the Son of Man—and for all to keep awake, to be alert, watching for the signs of God doing something new. And while the world humanity has created will come undone, the world God intended, where death does not have a hold, will endure. Heaven and earth will pass away, because there will be no dividing line between death and life.
In the middle of a song crying for help, the singer in Psalm 102 remembers that God will have compassion for Zion, and will build up the city again. God will hear the prayers of the destitute, and all nations will know the glory of God.
God is doing something new, but in the busy-ness of our lives, we are not awake, not ready. We have forgotten God’s ways, and have fallen back on old habits, feeling entitled to God’s reign rather than working to participate here on earth. We need to remember the words of Paul, and to become like Christ not only in his life, but in death to the ways of the world.
Call to Worship
When we have turned away,
Turn our hearts back to You, O God.
When our hearts have been broken and emptied,
Fill us with Your love, O God.
When we have fallen into sorrow,
Overwhelm us with Your joy, O God.
In this time of worship,
May we turn back to You, knowing Your love and joy are with us forever, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Brokenness/Confession
Almighty God, we confess that we have forgotten Your ways. We have judged others rather than ourselves. We have thought ourselves better than others, more worthy than others, and have felt entitled to our place at the table while keeping others out. Forgive us, O God, for our arrogance and pride. Forgive us, O God, for our entitled ways that put ourselves above others. Forgive us, O God, for believing our point of view is the only one. Call us to repent, call us to seek forgiveness from others, and to humble ourselves before You. Amen.
Blessing/Assurance of Pardon
God is making all things new, including our minds and hearts. Allow God in, and let go of the ways of this world. Let go of your judgments and stubbornness. Let go of your entitlement and false assurances. Cling to God’s love, and love will cling to you. Go and love and forgive, knowing you are loved and forgiven, and rest in the assurance of God’s enduring presence. Amen.
Prayer
Creative God, You are always creating something new in our world and in our lives, unfolding Your story to a new page that we have not read. When we think we know it all, You show us how small we really are in the vastness of the Universe You have made. When we think we understand it all, You show us new insights and ideas beyond our comprehension. Help us to be open to what You are still creating in us and around us, to be ready for the next page, the next chapter, in Your marvelous story. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Worship Resources for March 17th—Fifth Sunday of Lent (St. Patrick’s Day in 2013)
Revised Common Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; John 12:1-8; Philippians 3:4b-14
In our Old Testament thread for Lent, we have been following the covenant of God, where God has been faithful even when the people have not. In our passage from Isaiah, we read that God is about to do a new thing. For the people who were taken into exile three generations before, God has not forgotten them. God has not abandoned them. Rather, God has continued to uphold the covenant, but is about to do a new thing. This new thing will encompass all of creation, including the wild animals, for God’s desire is to do something new in creation. We as Christians look back and see the hope of Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, as something promised long ago, but for the people coming out of exile, this was hope for a new future with God out of the darkness of exile and into the light of return.
Psalm 126 was most likely written after the Exile, remembering God’s deliverance and the joy of God’s restoration. What has been taken away will be returned, and there will be celebration. When we go through trials and challenges in our lives, we remember that God has promised not to abandon us, and we cling to the hope of restoration, of reconciliation, of new life.
John 12:1-8 tells of the anointing at Bethany. In John’s version, this is Mary, of Mary and Martha (in Mark and Luke the woman is unnamed, and in Luke she is a “sinner”), who chooses to anoint Jesus. This is Mary who witnessed Jesus raise her brother Lazarus from the dead. This is also Mary who fell down at Jesus’ feet and wept for her brother and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Reading this story in the context of who Mary, the sister of Martha, she seems to be the only one who understands what Jesus is about to do. Read in the context of Mary and Martha’s story in Luke, Mary, the same one who sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to him, fell at his feet to mourn and weep, and now, anoints his feet and wipes them with her hair, the same feet that will be nailed to the cross. This is a powerful image when Mary chooses to anoint his feet, because she has spent a lot of time at his feet! And from here, Jesus will enter Jerusalem, and on the night he is betrayed, he will choose to wash the disciple’s feet as well. Mary prepares Jesus for the work he is about to do; in turn, Jesus prepares the disciples. What have we been through in our lives that prepares us for the ministry of Christ? How is Christ preparing us, and how might we in turn prepare others?
In Philippians 3:4b-14, Paul declares that he desires to become like Christ, that he has suffered for him in order to be closer to him. Paul’s desire is to lose himself and become like Christ in order to know Christ—not for Paul’s own glory, but because of his desire to know Christ Jesus. Paul’s life has prepared him, but it has not been easy. He has suffered persecution and has lost much, but he knows his gain is Christ. So to, our desire should be to know Christ, not for earthly status, not to be a good person, not to be on the “right” side or even to “be” a Christian—our desire is that we want to know Christ because Christ loves us.
We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey. How has the season of Lent prepared you for the cross and the resurrection? How has the season of Lent helped you draw closer to Christ? How has Lent deepened or strengthened your faith?
Call to Worship
We come from all walks of life
Our God is with us yesterday, today, and forever.
We have different pasts, and we have walked different paths
Our God is with us yesterday, today, and forever.
We have gathered in this place, seeking forgiveness and new hope
Our God is with us yesterday, today, and forever.
We journey forward knowing we are not alone.
Our God is with us yesterday, today, and forever.
We journey together, brothers and sisters, with Christ. Amen.
Prayer of Brokenness/Confession
Holy God, we confess that we have desired the things of the world over You. We have sought possessions over justice and mercy. We have turned away from those in need to climb the ladder of our own success. We have allowed ourselves to believe that living a good life for ourselves is our religion. Forgive us for following the false idols of our world. Turn us back to You and Your ways. Call us away from the desires of the world and set our desires upon You. In the name of Christ, who gave everything up, emptying himself on the cross, we pray. Amen.
Blessing/Assurance of Pardon
God is always doing something new. God is always turning our hearts back when we repent. God is always calling our names when we go astray. God is always bringing about reconciliation and hope. Know that you are loved and forgiven. As Jesus said, go, and sin no more. Amen.
Prayer
Loving Savior, You are calling us as Your ministers into this world. You have prepared us in our lives for the ministry of reconciliation and peace, justice and mercy. Where we have felt Your absence, O God, help us to comfort those who mourn and feel loss. Where we have experienced injustice, help us to stand for the oppressed and to speak out for the silenced. Where we have felt pain and suffering, O God, help us to pray and care for those who struggle with illness, anxiety and depression. Where we have felt hopeless, O God, help us to be living hope for the poor and the hungry, to do what we can to lift up one another. Call us into Your ministry, so that we might know You more fully. In Your name we pray. Amen.