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The selfless way of Christ Third Sunday of Lent

New Century Hymnal #211 Lord Jesus, Through these Forty Days

GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Psalm 19

New Century Hymnal #21 God Reigns O’er All the Earth

John 2:13-22

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, forever. Amen.

The Temptation to be relevant

I ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him— endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1: 17-20

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule.

The Holy Spirit leads us on the downward way. Not to cause us to suffer or to subject us to pain and humiliation, but rather to help us to see God present in the midst of our struggles. p.47

… As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. John 17: 15-19

Stones into Bread

The Temptation to be Relevant

The temptation touches us at the center of our identity

This leads to a preoccupation with products, visible results, tangible goods and progress.

Field of dreams

When Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread, he said to the tempter, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus did not deny the importance of bread but rather relativized it in comparison with the nurturing power of the Word of God. p. 51

So what nurtures you ? What is your motivation? What is your goal?

What will you consume this week?

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, Ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I must needs go home by the way of the cross, There’s no other way but this; I shall ne’er get sight of the Gates of Light, If the way of the cross I miss. Refrain: The way of the cross leads home, The way of the cross leads home; It is sweet to know, as I onward go, The way of the cross leads home. THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME

I must needs go on in the blood-sprinkled way, The path that the Savior trod, If I ever climb to the heights sublime, Where the soul is at home with God. Refrain: The way of the cross leads home, The way of the cross leads home; It is sweet to know, as I onward go, The way of the cross leads home.

Then I bid farewell to the way of the world, To walk in it nevermore; For my Lord says, “Come,” and I seek my home, Where He waits at the open door. Refrain: The way of the cross leads home, The way of the cross leads home; It is sweet to know, as I onward go, The way of the cross leads home.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance and as a mark of our mortal nature…

Take the Light of Christ with you Go In Peace and Serve the Lord!

JOIN US IN BARTTER HALL FOR LUNCH AND THE ANNUAL MEETING!