Lent 2017 (Year A)
Notable Feast Days this Week:

February 27 - Clean Monday, Orthodox Lent begins
February 27 - Simon the Cyrene, Luke 23:26 (Eastern)
March 1 - Ash Wednesday, Lent fast begins (Western)
March 1 - David of Wales, ca. 600
March 2 - John Wesley, 1791 (Anglican and Lutheran) 
March 2 - Charles Wesley, 1788 (Anglican and Lutheran)
March 3 - Non, mother of David of Wales, 6th century
March 4 - Casimir of Poland, 1484 (Roman Catholic)

Revised Common Lectionary

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Daily Readings (RCL)

Liturgical Color - Purple/Black

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----- The First Sunday in Lent ----- March 5, 2017 (Year A)

The Remedy Against Sin 

"Adam succumbed to temptation and brought sin on all generations of people (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7). We confess our sin and rejoice in God's forgiveness (Psalm 32). Just as Adam's sin brought sin on all humankind, so is Christ's redemption of sin available for all (Romans 5:12-19), because Jesus alone was able to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)." -Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
Psalm of the Week
Scripture Readings

"Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.

 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, 'I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.'
And you forgave the guilt of my sin..."
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
The Fall: Eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

Romans 5:12-19
Death came; life comes

Matthew 4:1-11
The temptation of Jesus

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year
Chronological
The Origins of Lent

The tradition of Lent can be traced back to the 2nd century. During this time, new Christians would prepare for baptism by fasting and studying. By the year 325 AD, the time of preparation had been extended to 40 days. Entire congregations, including those already baptized, practiced Lenten disciplines as a sign of Christian discipleship. Soon after, the church determined that the Lenten period of renewal should correspond to Christ’s forty-day fast. These Christians counted forty days back from Easter (excluding Sundays), to determine the time frame of the Lenten journey.
Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Return to God

Isaiah 58:1-12
The fast that God chooses

Psalm 51:1-17
A cry for mercy and forgiveness

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6-10
Now is the day of salvation

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Practicing our faith
 
A Prayer for Ash Wednesday (Book of Common Prayer)
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Resources for Lent

There is a “bright sadness” to the Lenten journey - a distinct awareness, begun with ashes, that we are frail. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with an honest look at ourselves and the world. We are called to embrace humility and repentance instead of hubris and pride. Ashes remind us of our mortality and need of forgiveness.

We are on a journey toward Easter. What begins with ashes ends with resurrection.

A Prayer for the First Sunday in Lent:

Grant to us, O almighty God,
that by the annual exercise of Lenten observances
we may advance in knowledge of the mystery of Christ
and follow his mind by conduct worthy of our calling,
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
-The Gelasian Sacramentary
 
Books: 
 
Articles:
Poetry:
Practicing Prayer
"Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen." -The Book of Common Prayer
Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)
Daily Prayer (View and Download)
Morning and Evening Prayer (Church of England)
Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go
Psalm 32 Spotify Playlist
More Spotify Psalms Playlists...
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Lord Have Mercy (Only Say the Word) | By Philip Majorins| Leadsheet 

Abide With Me | Words by Henry Lyte and Justin Smith/Music by Justin Smith | Leadsheet

Phos Hilaron | Music: Tallis Melody, arranged by Church of the Apostles | Chord Chart 

Psalm 32 (Refrain) - by Sarah Majorins, 2014 | Leadsheet  

Jesus, Lover of My Soul - Words by Charles Wesley/Music by Greg Thompson |Leadsheet and Piano Music 

Jesus, Lover of My Soul - Words by Charles Wesley / ABERYSTWYTH Melody (Celtic) | Leadsheet

You Are My Hiding Place - by Michael Ledner | Leadsheet

Hymn Suggestions for The First Sunday in Lent from Hymnary.org 

Psalm 32 Metrical Options 

Resources for Pointed Chant 

Resources for Plainchant

Read about "Singing the Psalms: A Guide for Modern Worship" by Ashley Danyew
Commentary on Matthew 4:1-11
"The text says “then.” Then when? This was after the descent of the Spirit, after the voice that was borne from above had said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Led by whom? This is marvelous. All of this was led by the Holy Spirit. For it says Jesus was “led up by the Spirit.” All this was for our instruction. The Lord does whatever is necessary for our salvation by both acting and being acted upon. He submitted himself to being led up there to wrestle against the devil. Now we should not be troubled if, after our baptism, we too have to endure great temptations. We should not treat this as if unexpected but continue to endure all things nobly, as though it were happening in the natural course of things."

-Chrysostom


More Historical Commentary
(View and Download)
Music for Listening (Lent)
"The Remedy" - Words and music by David Crowder,
performed by The Welcome Wagon 
Thematic Art 
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