Sunday 7 March, 2021
- General:
- Lectionary
Third Sunday in Lent
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 Membership:
Exodus 20: 1-17
Beyond these walls of worship(StF 547)
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
In the wonder of creation (StF 110)
With gladness we worship (StF 17)
Also consider O come, O come Immanuel (StF 180), which ties well into the Exodus readings and points towards the events of Easter week itself.
Be still and know and know that I am God, and there is none beside me (StF 19)
Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go (StF 550)
God beyond all names (StF 49)
Help us, O Lord, to learn (StF 501)
*Your words to me are life and health (StF 164)
Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme
*All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)
From all that dwell below the skies (StF 75)
O for a heart to praise my God (StF 507)
We sing of your glory (StF 96)
*Your words to me are life and health (StF 164)
A man, despised and laughed to scorn (website only)
*All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)
Blest are the pure in heart (StF 244)
Happy are they who find the grace (StF 500)
Here hangs a man discarded (StF 273)
What kind of love is this that gave itself for me? (StF 286)
I danced in the morning (StF 247)
In this house all people will be welcome (website only)
I will speak out for those who have no voices (StF 702)
Let us build a house where love can dwell (StF 409)
Love inspired the anger (StF 253)
O thou who camest from above (StF 564) (see note below)
Show me how to stand for justice (StF 713)
You’re calling us and so we are gathered here (StF 37)
The Revd Philp Poyner writes:
Today’s passages open up many themes for the preacher. Although not explicitly stated in the gospel (John 2), commentators have suggested that the trade in animals was in the Court of the Gentiles, the only part where Gentiles were permitted. So in addition to the exploitation of worshippers, worship by Gentiles is made difficult if not impossible. Not only is God dishonoured by the trade but people too. In the Exodus reading, the Commandments speak of honouring God and people. Are the activities within our church buildings sometimes also undermining mission if perceived as unwelcoming or, even, grasping?
The grasping ‘wisdom’ of the Temple officials provokes Jesus’ anger. It is more than foolishness and Jesus thwarts it (1 Corinthians 1: 19, Psalm 33: 10, and Isaiah 29: 13-14 are also particularly relevant).
In the Joint Liturgical Group 4 year lectionary the Gospel was linked with 1 Corinthians 3: 10-17, which helps us see that just as the Temple needed to be cleansed so to do our hearts, the “Temple of God’s Spirit” (v17). That cleansing is made possible through the sacrifice Christ will make (John 2: 21). John 2: 22 also links with the Epistle and Psalm (v7ff.).