Fifth Sunday in Lent
Zoom link
Responses: Linda
Homily: Barbara
Presider: Penny
Opening Song Awake O Sleeper (Marty Haugen)
https://youtu.be/3X-ApQ289Fc?si=IvF4bWlJg5BVCipp
We begin in the name of our Creative God, our brother Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
R] Amen
May the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the wisdom of the Spirit be with you all. R] And also with you
Call to worship
Melissa: For the will to examine our hearts, minds, and intentions,
R] Prepare us, O God.
Melissa: For the eyes to see you and ears to hear you in common and uncommon places,
R] Prepare us, O God.
Melissa: For a heart that is vulnerable to the needs your people, and the energy to do something about those needs
R] Prepare us, O God.
Penny: Loving God, through baptism you have drawn us into the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. You have joined our lives with the life of Jesus, that we might share in the promise of new life. As we have been buried with Christ in death, help us to let go of all that leads us away from you-our sin, our fear, and all that diminishes the life you desire for us.
Raise us each day in the power of the resurrection, so that we may walk in newness of life: with hearts open to compassion, with hands ready to serve,
and with faith that trusts in your abiding presence.
When we feel the weight of the tomb-in sorrow, discouragement, or doubt-remind us that we are united with Christ and that the life of the resurrection is already at work within us.
Lead us ever more deeply into the fullness of that life until the day when all creation is renewed in your love.
We pray in the name of Jesus, R: Amen
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
John: God, may the scriptures we read today become living bread. May your Spirit empower them to shape us in Jesus’ likeness. Please give us wisdom as we interpret these words of scripture; may they nourish our minds and souls. Amen.
First Reading:
A reading from the prophet Ezekiel
Then God said to me, “Mere mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. the people keep saying, ‘our bones are dry, our hope is gone, and we are doomed.’ Prophesy, therefore, and say to them, ‘thus says Sovereign YHWH: I am going to open your graves and raise you up from the dead, my people. I will return you to the land of Israel. When I open your graves and raise you up, you, my people, will know that I am YHWH. Then I will put my spirit into you and you will return to life, and I will settle you back on your own land. then you will know that I, YHWH, have spoken and made all this happen, says Sovereign YHWH.’
Second reading:
A reading from the letter to the Romans
Don’t you know that when we were baptized into Christ Jesus, we were baptized into Christ’s death? We’ve been buried with Jesus through baptism, and we joined with Jesus in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by God’s glory, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with Christ in the likeness of Christ’s death, we will also be united with Christ in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection. But we believe that, having died with Christ, we will also live with Christ— knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again: death is now powerless over our Savior.
The Word of God. R] Thanks be to God
Gospel Acclamation
https://youtu.be/-saX3_MJ5kA?si=lHjWJWBIN8wbd0bI
A reading from the Gospel attributed to John
Narrator: A person named Lazarus was ill. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed Jesus with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Lazarus, who was sick, was her brother. So the sisters sent word to Jesus. “Teacher, the one you love is ill.” When Jesus heard this, he said:
Jesus: “This illness will not end in death. Rather, it will reveal God’s glory, so that God’s Child may be glorified through it.”
Narrator: Jesus deeply loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. Yet after hearing that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days. Then he said to the disciples:
Jesus: “Let us go back to Judea.”
Disciples: “Teacher, the religious authorities there were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back?”
Jesus: “Are there not twelve hours in the day? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.”
Narrator: After saying this, he told them:
Jesus: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him.”
Disciples: “Teacher, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
Narrator: Jesus had been speaking about Lazarus’s death, but they thought he meant ordinary sleep. So Jesus spoke plainly.
Jesus: “Lazarus has died. And for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may trust more deeply. But let us go to him.”
Narrator: Then Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to the other disciples:
Thomas: “Let us go too, so that we may die with him.”
Narrator: When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away, and many people had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary stayed in the house.
Martha: “Teacher, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Yet even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus: “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha: “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who trust in me, even though they die, will live. And everyone who lives and trusts in me will never truly die. Do you believe this?”
Martha: “Yes, Teacher. I believe that you are the Messiah, the One who comes from God into the world.”
Narrator: After saying this, Martha went back and called her sister Mary privately.
Martha (to Mary): “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
Narrator: When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Jesus had not yet entered the village but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The people who were with Mary in the house, comforting her, saw her rise quickly and go out. They followed her, thinking she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet.
Mary: “Teacher, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Narrator: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the people who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
Jesus: “Where have you laid him?”
Crowd: “Come and see.”
Narrator: Jesus wept.
Crowd: “See how he loved him.”
Narrator: But some said:
Others in the Crowd: “Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind person have kept this man from dying?”
Narrator: Again deeply moved, Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
Jesus: “Take away the stone.”
Martha: “Teacher, there will be a stench by now, for he has been dead four days.”
Jesus: “Did I not tell you that if you trusted, you would see God’s glory?”
Narrator: So they took away the stone.
Then Jesus looked upward.
Jesus: “Creator, I thank you that you have heard me. I know you always hear me, but I say this for the sake of the people standing here, so that they may believe you sent me.” Then he cried out with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come out!”
Narrator: The one who had died came out, his hands and feet wrapped with burial cloths, and his face wrapped in a cloth.
Jesus: “Unbind him and let him go.”
Narrator:
Many of the people who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did came to believe in him.
Homily: Barbara
Statement of Faith:
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and rational understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that we are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of divine love, a source of wisdom and truth, and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy Ones, the life that is our innermost life, the breath moving in our being, the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.
Sign of Peace Karla
Exchange peace
Juanita: Jesus the Christ, you said to your disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” We ask you to look on the faith of those gathered here. Give us your peace, and spread your peace throughout the world, always and forever.
May the peace of Christ be always with you. R] And also with you.
Prayers of the Community
As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”
We pray for these and all unspoken concerns. Amen.
: Blessed are you, God of all creation! Through your goodness we have this bread to offer. Fruit of the Earth, work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
R] Blessed be God forever
: Blessed are you, God of all creation! Through your goodness we have this wine to offer. Fruit of the vine, work of human hands, it will become for us the cup of life.
R] Blessed be God forever
Prayer for the Offering
John: Holy God, receive these humble gifts
and bless those who give with steady daily provision.
Help us steward these gifts wisely
and multiply our resources to do good work in faith. Amen.
Penny: Lift up your hearts! R] We lift them up to the Lord
Penny: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. R] It is right and just.
: Gracious God, source and sustenance of life, redeeming presence, You know the pain and brokenness of our world, therefore we call your healing power upon us and upon all we pray for today. Your generosity abounds throughout all generations with the rich variety of the living cosmos.
: For all you bring to our lives, and for all we seek amid pain and suffering, we acclaim your love and greatness, and we join with all creation to sing our hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy
https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Cathy P: Sisters and brothers in Christ, the table is set for you. God so loved the whole world that God sent Jesus to feed us all. God freely gives us love and life so we might freely give love and life to others.
If you are hungry, tired, weary, or worn, there is space for you here. Come, the bread of life and the cup of blessing await you.
: This simple meal reminds us that your abundant mercy draws us closer to you and to one another.
May we be strengthened by your presence so we might share your love and justice with those who are physically and spiritually hungry. Thank you for this sacred moment and for the eternal nourishment you offer through Christ, our bread of life.
Gerry: We gather at this table in remembrance of Christ,
alongside disciples old and young, from every walk of life.
We are confident that through Jesus Christ,
we are all nourished and made whole.
Penny As God's Divine Spark and energy are in each one of us, please extend your gifts as we pray:
Loving God, intensify the presence of Your Spirit in these our gifts, as they, and we, become the Body and Blood of Jesus the Christ for our wholeness and the wholeness of all creation.
Penny: We remember that while sharing a feast at table, Jesus bent down and washed his disciples' feet - reminding them of the need to serve all. He then took bread and blessed you, God of all Good Gifts. Jesus then broke the bread, shared it among his friends, and said:
All: Take this all of you and eat, this is my body which is given for you.
Then Jesus took a cup of wine. He gave thanks and shared the cup with his friends, saying:
All: Take this all of you and drink from it; this is the cup of my life blood. In prophetic solidarity, it is poured out for you and for all. Sustain one another in the power of sacred memory.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith: R]Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Marita: God, our great provider, we thank you for the gift of Jesus. We thank you for the bread of life who nourishes and sustains us. As we eat this bread, we remember you provide for all people, feeding the world with your love and peace.
Juanita: In Your presence Triune God, through whom all goodness flows, we join with all of creation to give You glory and honor:
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, may all glory and honor be Yours all-loving God, forever and ever. R]Amen.
Communion
Cathy P: Beloved God, through this sacred meal, may we become instruments of Your healing, love and grace. May we know Your love more intimately and be transformed to share it more abundantly.
R]: Amen.
Communion Song: I am the Bread of Life
https://youtu.be/dX4uC3a7RC8?si=WWCyy_vHqkO5zlmP
Blessing and dismissal
(Please raise your hands in blessing)
Penny: Go now into the world brimming with love for God and others. May you share the bread of life, offering not only what sustains the body but what nourishes the soul.
Live your lives serving in the way of Jesus, extending compassion to the weary, hope to the despairing, and bread to the hungry.
As you go, may the love of God enfold you,
the peace of Christ guide you,
and the power of the Holy Spirit sustain you,
now and forever.
Amen.
Sending forth: Margaret
R] Thanks be to God
Closing Song: In these days of Lenten Journey
https://youtu.be/JavqGf5ejf8?si=8xHBYsvn12TXDe6t
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