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Notable Feast Days this Week:

March 27 - John of Damascus, 749
March 28 - Priscus, Malchus, and Alexander, 260
March 30 - Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth (Eastern)
March 30 - Joad the Prophet, 1 Kings 13:11 (Eastern)
March 30 - John Climacus, Sinai, 649
March 30 - Osburga, Coventry, 1016
April 1 - Macarius the Confessor, 830
April 2 - Mary of Egypt, Penitent, 430 (Roman Catholic)

Revised Common Lectionary

Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - Purple

Forward

------ The Fifth Sunday in Lent ------ April 2, 2017 (Year A)

The Giver of Life

"God is all powerful, bringing life from death (Ezekiel 37:1-14), just as his Son, Jesus, has the power over life and death (John 11:1-45). We wait patiently for him to help us in the midst of our troubles, knowing that hi love for us is unwavering (Psalm 130); we submit to God, setting our minds on spiritual things, rather than the things of the flesh, and letting Christ dwell in us (Romans 8:6-11). Jesus is the giver of life and has the power over life and death (John 11:1-45)."
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 130

"Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord,
who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."

Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Valley of Dry Bones

Romans 8:6-11
The Holy Spirt gives life

John 11:1-45
Lazarus is raised from the dead

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Resources

A Prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Lent:

God of all consolation and compassion,
your Son comforted the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary;
your breath alone brings life
to dry bones and weary souls.
Pour out your Spirit upon us,
that we may face despair and death
with the hope of resurrection
and faith in the One
who called Lazarus forth from the grave. Amen.
- from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library

Art:

A meditation on Janos Vaszery's "Resuscitation of Lazarus" by Professor Daniella Zsupan-Jerome (Video)
Slideshow for the Fifth Sunday in Lent from the Vanderbilt Divinity Library
Paintings of "The Resurrection of Lazarus" from Wikimedia Commons

Scripture Study:

The Bible Project Videos: Ezekiel 34-48, Romans 5-16, and John 1-12
Commentary on John 11:1-45 from Osvaldo Venna (Professor of New Testament at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary)
Psalm 130 Commentary: Augustine, Benedict XVI, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon

Links for Lent:

"De Profundis", a poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)
Praying with Your Body: 5 Exercises for Lent by Fr. Aaron Damiani
The Lent Project: Daily Devotionals with Art from the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts

Practicing Prayer

"Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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 130 Spotify Playlist

More Spotify Psalms Playlists...

Singing Psalms and Hymns

From the Depths of Woe (Psalm 130)| Words by Martin Luther and Music by Christopher Miner| Leadsheets

Psalm 130 Anglican Chant (De Profundis)| Music by Henry Walford Davies| Leadsheet

Psalm 130 (Out of the Depths I Call to You) | Music by Karl Digerness and words by Karl Digerness (2015), adapted from Out of the Deep I Call, by Henry W. Baker (1868)|Leadsheet appears in Psalms for All Seasons

Sleeper Awake (Ephesians 5) | Music by Brett Crull | Leadsheets

Out of the Depths I Cry (Psalm 130) | Metrical Psalm - Tune by Charles Purday, 1860 | Leadsheet

I Know That My Redeemer Lives | Words by Samuel Medley (1775) Music by Redeemer Knoxville | Leadsheet

Out of the Deep | Choral piece by Thomas Morley (1557-1603) | SATB Sheet Music

Psalm 130 Metrical Options

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

Resources for Pointed Chant

Resources for Plainchant

Read about "Singing the Psalms: A Guide for Modern Worship" by Ashley Danyew

Commentary on John 11:1-45

"Spirit groans, so that flesh would come back to life. Life groans, so that death would be put to flight. God groans, so that humanity would rise. Pardon groans, lest the verdict be unfavorable. Christ groans as he subdues death, because one who snatches an unparalleled victory over an enemy cannot but groan. But with regard to the fact that he said that he “groaned again,” he does groan again in order to provide evidence of a twofold resurrection, since at Christ’s voice just as those dead in body are raised to life from their graves, so too those dead in faithfulness rise to a life of faith."

-Peter Chrysologus

More Historical Commentary
(View and Download)

Music for Listening

Contemporary

"Weary of Wandering" - A song for Lent by Travis McMaken (Chicago, IL)
"beauty will save the world" - An experimental release from one of, "...music's most elusive and enigmatic acts," Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus (Liverpool, UK)
"The Alone Instrument, Vol. II"- Music for Lent from the music ministry of Columbia Presbyterian Church (Columbia, South Carolina)
The Brilliance - Youtube Playlist for Lent

Classical/Sacred

"De Profundis (Psalm 130)" by Arvo Part
The Office of Compline for the Third Week of Lent - The Compline Choir, March 19, 2017 (St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral - Seattle, WA)
The Entire Book of Psalms - Anglican chant sung by English Cathedral Choirs.

Thematic Art

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