Third Sunday in Lent
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
The warnings are plentiful and blunt on the third Sunday in Lent. Lent is a season of repentance. Cut it out or get cut down! The warnings are accompanied by God’s invitation to attentiveness: “Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.” The landowner’s ultimatum is forestalled by the gardener’s readiness to till the ground one more year. That is good news for all of us. Thanks be to God!
FIRST READING: Isaiah 55: 1-9
To those who have experienced long years in exile, the return to their homeland is a celebration of abundant life. God calls them into an everlasting covenant of love. Those who return to the Lord will enjoy new life and forgiveness, because God’s ways are not our ways.
PSALM: Psalm 63: 1-8
SECOND READING: 1st Corinthians 10:1-13
Paul uses images from Hebrew story and prophecy to speak the truth of Jesus Christ: He is our rock, our water, our food, and our drink. Christ is the living sign of God’s faithfulness.
GOSPEL: Luke 13: 1-9
Asked about current tragic events, Jesus turns a lesson about whether suffering is deserved into a hard call to obedience. He then tells a parable that holds out hope that the timeline for ultimate judgment will be tempered by patience.
Announcements!
CHURCH EVENTS
SUNDAY DISCUSSIONS BEFORE CHURCH We meet at 9:40 on Sunday mornings to have discussions before the service each week.
CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS
MARCH Midweek services will be held around the area. A rundown will be published soon.
MARCH 30th is a fifth Sunday which means we will be at First English.
APRIL 13th Passion Sunday Celebrate the triumphant entry into Jerusalem
APRIL 15th TAX DAY Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s
APRIL 18th GOOD FRIDAY
APRIL 20th Easter Sunday. He is RISEN from the grave.
APRIL 22nd Earth Day
PRAYERS
We are praying for Michael Koch; Nicole Biler Robinette is on the transplant list for a new heart. We pray that this will happen soon. Keep her; her husband, Stephen; and her parents and family in your prayers. We are also praising God for Braxton as he is recovering from his surgery.
Please keep these people in your prayers as well: Mike and Donna Toy, and all of those who are suffering from diseases or other health issues and their families. Please remember all of our shut-ins and sick. Maybe send a card or something to let them know they are being remembered.
FUNDS FOR ZION
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.
