He Is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

Third Sunday of Lent

The Collect:

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

"I have enough; I have taken the Saviour, the hope of the Gentiles; into my yearning arms. I have seen him, my faith has clasped Jesus to my heart; now I desire only even today to depart with joy from here. I have enough!"

- Johann Sebastian Bach

Second Sunday in Lent

Collect:

"God our Father, help us to hear your Son. Enlighten us with your word, that we may find a way to your glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."

Prayer:

"We have stumbled in our sinful ways, as if we could not be healed.Let us return to the Lord, our God. Though our sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, they shall be made like wool. God of mercy, uncover your face and be gracious to us. Heal us and out of your own bounty give us new life, through Christ our Lord."

A Bit Disgruntled

This morning, I went to Sunday service in hopes of recieving, in the homily, a message that would prepare me for the Lent Season. Instead, we had a guest speaker who ended up preaching a political agenda. This, of course, disgruntled me and I'm posting this in hopes to become "gruntled" once again.

The title of the sermon was "Power in the Desert," and the text for the sermon was based upon Luke 4:1-13; Jesus' wilderness temptations. As the sermon began, the guest minster was following the text quite nicely (for about 10 minutes), and then suddenly took a turn into left field. In this turn, we heard about several experiences in foriegn countries (one of which was Iraq), where this minister had spent a certain amount of time. Most of these experiences involved abused children who either had to beg for food, or were injured by land mines, wars, etc. These things were communicated in such a way that the audience was "encouraged" to be a part of the solution to bring hope. This was actually the last thirty or forty minutes of the sermon. While no organizations were mentioned in the sermon, it was quite obvious that many groups were refered to without being named and many organizations were meant to come to mind in the description of several actual events.

Granted I think it is a tragedy that these things occur in the world, and the Christian community should certainly participate in the solution of such things, but what does all this have to do with Jesus being tempted in the wilderness? What does all this have to do with Luke 4:1-13? I was very put off by this sermon, and to be frank, let down. While this may be selfish on my part, I went to this Sunday service in hopes of preparing my mind and heart for the Lent season and instead I was informed of an agenda that I, as a Christian, should participate in. I left the service angry and complained most of the way home. In some ways, I suppose this is perhaps a confession since I should have just let it go and not been angry, but on the other hand I think I was justified in my anger. While these things have a place in our Christian lives and churches, I do not think that a Sunday morning Lent service is the pace to push a political agenda. Am I wrong in thinking this? What do you think?

First Sunday in Lent

Today was the first Sunday in the Lent season leading up to Good Friday and Easter Morning. This is a season where we as Christians should focus our attention on our Lord and search ourselves with a renewed humility toward repentence of sins and wordly things that we tend to elevate above God. In all humility here is a prayer of confession and an assurance of pardon for this first Sunday.

Prayer of Confession:
God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to the paths od righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Assurance of Pardon:
Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

(Taken from this Sunday morning liturgy of our church)