Lent is the period of forty days which comes before Easter in the Christian Calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing Lent, Christians reflect upon Jesus’ self-discipline and withdrawal into the desert for forty days. Lent is marked by a pulling back. Whereas Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his death on the cross, Lent recalls the events leading up to and including that crucifixion. The Christian churches of the 21st century use Lent as a time of prayer and reflection. Only a small number of people fast for the whole of Lent, although some maintain the practice on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. And many might surrender time or money to make a difference to those in need. Whatever the sacrifice, it is a reflection only of Jesus’ deprivation in the wilderness and a test of self-discipline. In churches around the world the liturgical colour is purple.
At St Catherine’s during Lent we replace our ‘word-based’ Prayers of Intercession with a world map and pray in stillness for places on it (this year we will focus on the 20 or so nations of origin that are currently part of the Stuttgart-based St Catherine’s church family). The liturgy is observed mostly kneeling rather than standing. Missing for the whole of Lent are the Gloria and any Alleluias, instead what makes an appearance is a summary of the Ten Commandments.
Where there is a choice of liturgy, click on the purple text of your choice for this week in Lent.
Theme: Under Construction
Preparation
Opening
Opening Hymn:
An Opening Prayer: Holy God, as we meet together today,
we ask that you renew our love for you.
Open our eyes to see fresh things,
open our ears to hear with more clarity,
open our minds to recognise new ideas –
that we may be willing to grow and change
and to become more like your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Commandments: These are always read in full during Lent. The Commandments from Exodus 20.1-17
I am the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods but me.
You shall not make for yourself any idol.
You shall not dishonour the name of the Lord your God.
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
Honour your father and mother.
You shall not commit murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not be a false witness.
You shall not covet anything which belongs to your neighbour.
OR From Common Worship
I am the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods but me.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not make for yourself any idol.
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not dishonour the name of the Lord your God.
You shall worship him with awe and reverence. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
Christ is risen from the dead: set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Honour your father and mother.
Live as servants of God; let us work for the good of all,
especially members of the household of faith. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not commit murder.
Live peaceably with all; overcome evil with good. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not commit adultery.
Know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not steal.
Be honest in all that you do, and care for those in need. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not be a false witness.
Let everyone speak the truth. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
You shall not covet anything which belongs to your neighbour.
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Love your neighbour as yourself, for love is the fulfilling of the law. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Confession:
There are two on offer here – A more traditional one taken from Psalm 51
Let us admit to God the sin which always confronts us.
All Lord God,
we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore us to the joy of your salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
cf Psalm 51
The Lord enrich you with his grace,
and nourish you with his blessing;
the Lord defend you in trouble and keep you from all evil;
the Lord accept your prayers,
and absolve you from your offences,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen
OR Another more using the imagination
How terrible (based on Matthew 25) – focus on different lines each week during Lent
How terrible for us when we ignore the presence of strangers
How terrible for us when the sick and the old remain lonely
How terrible for us when the little ones are hurt or ignored
How terrible for us when we do not question laws that reward the strong and put down the weak
How terrible for us when we know what we should do, and we walk the other way
Stillness for reflection
In faith we receive God’s forgiveness and the Spirit’s enabling to change where we need to
Collect for today: Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
The Bible Reading:
Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple is a shocking act but seems nothing compared to what he says next. The Temple was believed to be a space where heaven touched earth, but Jesus speaks of destroying it and rebuilding it in three days. However, Jesus isn’t speaking about the physical Temple, but his body. Jesus signals that his death and resurrection makes the whole world into the Temple of God.
What then, in our context, of the Church? What does it mean to be church, rather than just doing it? If we are the Temple (of the Spirit), what might we need to throw out?
Reflection:
If you are a ‘community under (re)construction’, what needs constructing next?
Audio reflection:
Affirmation of Faith for Lent:
There are two on offer here – A more traditional one taken from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter2
We affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Though he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high, and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
OR Another more using the imagination – you choose how many of the verses you wish to use week by week
an expression of faith (creed)
Lord you have always given
Bread for the coming day
And though I am poor
Today I believe.
Lord you have always given
Strength for the coming day
And though I am weak
Today I believe.
Lord you have always given
Peace for the coming day
And though I am anxious of heart
Today I believe.
Lord you have always kept me
Safe in trials
And now tried as I am
Today I believe.
Lord you have always marked
The road for the coming day
And though things may be hidden
Today I believe.
Lord you have always lightened
This darkness of mine
And though the night is here
Today I believe.
Lord you have always spoken
When the time was right
And though you be silent now
Today I believe.
Prayer
Prayers of Intercession: Our countries this week: Eritrea, Ireland, India, Nigeria
The ‘Our Father’ We draw all our prayers together in the words of –
Our Father who art in heaven…
…for ever and ever. Amen.
A sending out prayer: We came (even Online) together to worship God.
We have read God’s Word.
We have prayed and sung songs.
Now we go into God’s world:
to be God’s people wherever we are called to go.
Let us go in Christ’s name Amen.
