Category Archives: Lent

Lent Resources 2021

Photograph of Three Generations of Balm of Gilead Poplar, 1951, from The National Archives Catalog

Lent Lectionary Readings (Year B)

Ash Wednesday (February 17): Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

First Sunday in Lent (February 21): Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Second Sunday in Lent (February 28): Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38; Mark 9:2-9

Third Sunday in Lent (March 7): Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22

Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 14): Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21

Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 21): Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33

Annunciation of the Lord (March 25): Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 45; Psalm 40:5-10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

Sixth Sunday of Lent (March 28):

Liturgy of the Palms – Ps. 118:1-2, 19-29; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-16

Liturgy of the Passion – Isaiah 50:4-9a; Ps. 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47; Mark 15:1-39, 40-47

Poetry

“Ash Wednesday” by T.S. Eliot. Read by the author here.

A Prayer for the Past”by George MacDonald

“Mid-Lent” by Christina Rossetti

Resource Links

Collects for Lent from the Book of Common Worship

Stations of the Cross Online curated by Global Christian Worship

The Stations of the Cross by David O’Connell

Archived Posts for Lent from The Liturgy Letter

Music

Balm” – A Playlist for Lent 2021

The Reproaches” by John Sanders. Sung by Ely Cathedral Choir.

There is a Balm in Gileadsung by Abraham Boyd

Balm in Gilead by The Sunday Service Choir

Photograph of Three Generations of Balm of Gilead

Photograph of Trees Showing 1951 Growth on Laona Ranger District

Balm of Gilead trunk leaves and seeds in Buffalo paddock near Banff, Alberta

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Palm/Passion Sunday 2020 (Year A)

Submission, Death, and Glory

God is with us in our suffering (Isaiah 50:4-9a) as we cry out to him and trust in his unfailing love (Psalm 31:9-16). We praise God for opening the gates of righteousness through the suffering and death of Jesus (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29). He humbled himself (Philippians 2:5-11) and demonstrated submission to God’s will in the midst of ultimate suffering (Matthew 21:1-11). He was crucified so that we might have eternal life and forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:14 – 27:66).

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fifth Sunday In Lent 2020 (Year A)

God Gives Life

God can make dead bones live (Ezekiel 37:1-14). We call out to him in the depths of suffering and wait patiently for his promises to be fulfilled (Psalm 130). Spiritual life and physical resurrection await those who are in Christ, so set your mind on the Spirit and refuse to live in hostility towards God (Romans 8:6-11). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has power over life and death. He cares for his friends and defies their expectations, proving that he is Lord and Savior (John 11:1-45). 

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday in Lent 2020 (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

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday in Lent 2020 (Year A)

Living Water

“Water is used throughout Scripture as a symbol of faith. In the Old Testament, it sometimes foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice for our sins (Exodus 17:1-7). In the New Testament, Jesus offers forgiveness to all, regardless of race or past misdeeds, and ‘living water,’ which is the Holy Spirit and eternal life (John 4:5-42). Through his death, we are reconciled to God (Romans 5:1-11), our Creator and King, to whom we offer praise and thanks for our salvation (Psalm 95).”
– Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday in Lent 2020 (Year A)

Faith and Life Through Jesus

Like Abraham, we are called to follow God in faith (Gen. 12:1-4). We must keep our eyes fixed on the one who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121). God cares for us and has promised to provide rest and grace for those who put their faith in him (Romans 4:1-5,13-17). God came to us through Jesus so that we might be made new and inherit eternal life through his name (John 3:1-17).

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Sixth Sunday in Lent 2019 (Year C)

Hosanna to the One Who Suffered and Died

“The Lord gives us a teachable heart so that we might encourage others (Isaiah 50:4-9a). When we are grieved and discouraged, we turn to God in trust for help (Psalm 31:9-16) knowing that he gave his only son Jesus, who came to earth (Luke 19:28-40) to die for us on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11).”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fifth Sunday in Lent 2019 (Year C)

Confidence in Christ

God continually promises to deliver his people and provide for them for his names’ sake (Isaiah 43:16-21). God’s past deliverance provides hope for those who are weeping in the present (Psalm 126). Our confidence is in Christ, and not in our selves, as we continue to press on in faith, participating in Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection (Philippians 3:4-14). In humility, we follow Mary’s example by laying all that we have at Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-8). 

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday of Lent 2019 (Year C)

God Cares for the Lost

“God cares for his people (Joshua 5:9-12) and forgives our sins. We can trust him and his steadfast love – he is our refuge in times of distress (Psalm 32). Through Christ, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) and are heirs to the kingdom of God (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32).” -Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday in Lent 2019 (Year C)

Thirsting for God in the Wilderness

God provides refreshment for the thirsty (Isaiah 55:1-9). Humbly seek God’s presence, remember his blessings and praise his name (Psalm 63:1-8). We learn from those who have gone through the wilderness before us and ask God to help us endure our own times of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). God is gracious, but the consequences of refusing to repent stand as a warning for all (Luke 13:1-9).

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