Sunday 21 March, 2021

Fifth Sunday in Lent

First Sunday of the Passion

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

Love this Calling

If you are preaching or leading worship this Sunday, here are the lectionary reading and hymn suggestion for this week’s Love This Calling focus area of Stewards:

John 12: 20-26
Here am I, Lord (StF 552)

Visit #LovethisCalling to find out more about this campaign that asks us to reflect on God’s calling for us all in this time and place that we find ourselves. Love this Calling also leads us up to, and beyond, Vocation Sunday, which this year is on Sunday 2 May, 2021.

General

Be still, for the presence of the Lord (StF 20)
More like you, Jesus, more like you (StF 505)
O Lord we are always in your presence (StF 33)

Jeremiah 31: 31-34

God of all power, and truth, and grace (StF 498)
Jesus calls us here to meet him (StF 28)
O for a heart to praise my God (StF 507)
O Lord we are always in your presence (StF 33)
Praise to the living God! (StF 87)
Sweet is the work, my God, my King (StF 90)

Psalm 51: 1-12 or Psalm 119: 9-16

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s themes

Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546)
Blest are the pure in heart (StF 244)
Just as I am, without one plea (StF 556)
Rock of Ages, cleft for me (StF 434)
Take this moment, sign, and space (StF 513)
We do not presume to come to this table (StF 601) communion hymn

Hebrews 5: 5-10

Christ triumphant, ever reigning (StF 319)
He came to earth in poverty (StF 246)
*Jesus Christ – Perfect Love (StF 325)
Jesus is King and I will extol him (StF 327)
Jesus the carpenter, hanging on Calvary (StF 275)
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us (StF 238)

John 12: 20-33

I will offer up my life (StF 446)
*Jesus Christ – Perfect Love (StF 325)
Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us (StF 594)
Man of Sorrows! What a name (StF 361)
Would I have answered when you called (StF 674)

The Revd Phillip Poyner writes:

Paul Ellingworth writes in the Epworth Commentary on Hebrews about Melchizedek (Genesis 14: 17-20), whose actions are helpful in understanding both Epistle and Gospel. The name Melchizedek indicates a priest divinely appointed for all time, i.e immortal, superior even to Abraham whom he blesses. His priesthood is of a different order to the Levitical priesthood, providing unimpeded access to God through a perfect sacrifice. A Qumran document also speaks of Melchizedek presiding over a heavenly court of justice.

The uniqueness of Christ is further revealed in his steadfastness under pressure and resolute determination to make that (personal) sacrifice which will bring forgiveness and restore/create a new relationship between people and God. That will be a relationship involving the heart, referred to in the readings from Jeremiah and the two Psalms.