Notable Feast Days this Week:

March 20 - Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, 687
March 20 - Martyrs of Mar Saba, 796
March 20 - Wulfram, Netherlands, 703
March 21 - Benedict of Nursia, 547 (Traditional)
March 21 - Enda, Ireland, c.530
March 22 - Basil of Ancyra, 362
March 25 - The Annunciation of Our Lord
March 25 - Dismas "The Good Thief" (Roman Catholic)

Revised Common Lectionary

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - Purple

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----- The Fourth Sunday in Lent ----- March 26, 2017 (Year A)

Light Dispels Darkness

"God looks at our hearts, not our outward appearances, as he showed when choosing David as king, prefiguring Christ (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Like David, we trust God; we have confidence in his protection even when we are in the midst of great difficulty (Psalm 23). The light of Christ's grace and forgiveness dispels the darkness of sin (Ephesians 5:8-14) -- he is the light of the world (John 9:1-41)."
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
Psalm of the Week
Scripture Readings

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
1 Samuel 16:1-13
David is chosen and anointed

Ephesians 5:8-14
Live as children of light

John 9:1-41
The man born blind

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year
Chronological
The Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25)
This day marks nine months from the celebration of Christ's birth on December 25th. For hundreds of years, many within the Western church observed March 25 as "New Year's Day," marking time by the advent of the Incarnation into the womb of Mary. The significance of this event within the context of salvation history is staggering and worthy of meditation. Click here for quotes from C.S. Lewis and Martin Luther on the significance of The Annunciation.
 
"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now andfor ever. Amen."
-The Book of Common Prayer
Resources

A Prayer for the Fourth Sunday in Lent:
"Shepherd God, you caused your Spirit to come mightily upon David. You promised your children your comforting presence and direction. You sent Jesus as the light of the world to remove the scales from our eyes. We behold your grandeur and offer the praise due your name." -James Kirk, When We Gather: A Book of Prayers for Worship

Daily Scripture Readings: Blinded by the Light
Monday - Isaiah 59:9-19 (We are blind and need God)
Tuesday - Isaiah 42:14-21 (God will heal the blind)
Wednesday - Matthew 9:27-34 (Jesus heals the blind)
Thursday - Isaiah 60:17-22 (God our Light)
Friday - Acts 9:1-20 (Saul's blindness)
Saturday - Psalm 146:3-9 (Praise God)

Art:
Scripture Study:
Links for Lent:
Practicing Prayer
"Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; 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 23 Spotify Playlist
More Spotify Psalms Playlists...
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Jesus, Lover of My Soul | by Charles Wesley | Leadsheet

The King of Love My Shepherd Is | Words by Henry Baker (1868) Music: Traditional Irish Melody | Leadsheet 

Shepherd Me O God (Psalm 23) - Marty Haugen | Leadsheet 

The Good Shepherd - Fernando Ortega | Leadsheet

Twenty Three - Aaron Strumpel | Leadsheet

Psalm 23 - Luke Morton | Leadsheet

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need - Isaac Watts | Leadsheet 

Psalm 23 Metrical Options

Hymn Suggestions for The Fourth 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 9:1-41


"And he brought forth the light from the dust, just as he had done in the beginning, when there was a shadow of the heavens. “Darkness was spread out over everything.” He gave a command to the light, and it was born from the darkness. Thus also here, he formed clay from his saliva, and he supplied was what lacking in creation, which was from the beginning, to show that what was lacking in nature was being supplied by his hand."

-Ephrem the Syrian


More Historical Commentary
(View and Download)
Music for Listening
Contemporary
Classical/Sacred
Thematic Art 
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