Fifth Sunday in Lent, Passion Sunday
BEDE METHODIST CIRCUIT
Worship Resources
Lent Week 5 – Sunday 21st March
A Methodist Way of Life – EVANGELISM
Call to Worship: Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Hymn: STF 59 (Shine Jesus shine…)
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By your blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me… Refrain
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me… Refrain
Graham Kendrick (b.1950)
Prayers
Living God, You are the Light of the world and we praise you. Yours, Lord, were the arms stretched wide on the cross, a welcome to all in the midst of your agony. Yours were the arms spread out in blessing after the resurrection.
Crucified, risen Lord, we adore you in your pain and in your victory, your welcome ever the same, gathering us to you and blessing us, enfolding us in your loving embrace.
Lord, forgive us for not welcoming others as you do, for ignoring the stranger in our midst.
Forgive us for revelling in the presumed privilege of being your children. Help us to break down barriers to you and to take your welcome wherever we go…
Merciful God, thank you for your unconditional love and welcome. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us and may our welcome be the sign of the greater welcome that comes from you. Amen.
Gospel Reading: John 12: 20-33
Words of Reflection
Today, in our consideration of A Methodist Way of Life (MWOL), we consider Evangelism. In my experience, this word is one that worries many Christians! Many think it is something they are not equipped to do, yet three things are listed on our MWOL Commitment Card:
We will speak of the love of God.
We will live in a way that draws others to Jesus.
We will share our faith with others.
Today is often called Passion Sunday; we shift our focus towards the sufferings of Jesus as He journeyed towards Jerusalem. In today’s bible reading, some Greeks were also at the festival in Jerusalem, and they wanted “to see Jesus”. Philip and Andrew tell Jesus about them, and what Jesus says about the significance of His death anticipates how He ‘will draw all people to myself’.
As a seed ‘dies’ to bear fruit, so Jesus’ dying on the cross, His being “lifted up” will draw all people to Him. Here is an anticipation of the mission of Jesus’ followers to bring many to believe. Their task includes their own (and our own) reflection on the Scriptures, remembering Jesus, and their worship of the risen Christ. This is the work of evangelism!
At its heart, evangelism is telling the story of Jesus and how it has impacted us. If we know and love Jesus, then this is our story too. Yet, I wonder…
If Jesus really does matter to us, then why are we often so reluctant to share that good news with others? We seek to live in a way that draws others to Jesus. We are not called to change the whole world, just our part of it and, if we think we are not good enough to do evangelism, then remember that the Bible is full of flawed characters who were, nonetheless, used by God – David, Moses, Simon Peter, and Paul.
Essentially, a Methodist Way of Life is promoting a Christian Way of life. We commit ourselves to living for Jesus who lived and died for us. As we draw close to Holy Week, let us remember that, in dying on the cross, and rising again to Resurrection Life, Jesus has provided the means for everyone to be drawn to Him.
Questions to ponder:
Do you know that Jesus died for you?
How might you share your story with others?
Who might you invite to consider Christian faith?
Prayers of Intercession
God of all, we thank you for the cross of Jesus…
that He took our sins upon Himself and in dying, set us free to love and serve you.
Equip us to tell our story – your story – with words but also through the way we live our lives.
God of all, we turn to you to pray:
for those who, like Christ, are ridiculed for what they believe and persecuted for what they hold dear…
for those who, like Christ, put their lives on the line for others, in the full knowledge of the risks they are taking…
for those who, like Christ, are beaten and abused, the victims of torture and brutality…
for those who, like Christ, are betrayed by friends and colleagues who run away at their hour of greatest need…
for those who are sick, filled with sorrow, or anxious…
for those who, like Christ, know their need of you, and turn to you in prayer…
Merciful God, accept our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven…
Hymn: STF 287 (When I survey the wondrous cross…) https://youtu.be/KEp6WKSXYQg
When I survey the wondrous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest Gain I count but Loss,
And pour Contempt on all my Pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the Death of Christ my God:
All the vain Things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his Blood.
See from his Head, his Hands, his Feet,
Sorrow and Love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such Love and Sorrow meet?
Or Thorns compose so rich a Crown?
His dying Crimson, like a Robe,
Spreads o'er his Body on the Tree;
Then I am dead to all the Globe,
And all the Globe is dead to me.
Were the whole Realm of Nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my Soul, my Life, my All.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Closing Prayer
Welcoming God, thank you for the welcome that you offer to us through Jesus Christ your son.
Help us to follow His example. Teach us to consider the needs of others even when this means we must lay something down. As you welcome us, help us to welcome those to whom you send us. Amen.
Prepared by Rev Deborah Wainwright using
Roots for Churches Ltd and A Methodist Way of Life resources