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

Toward God’s Promises

The Lord is our light, inspiring boldness in the midst of fear and darkness (Psalm 27). The promises he has made are sealed in blood and continue for untold generations (Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18). Like Jesus, we press on toward the cross because our citizenship in heaven is guaranteed (Philippians 3:17-41). In spite of adversity, Jesus stayed faithful until his mission was accomplished (Luke 4:1-13).

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

Trust in the Lord and Confess Jesus as Savior

Trust in the Lord and make him your dwelling place (Psalm 99:1-2, 9-16). God provides deliverance and salvation to his people. Therefore, we should offer God the first fruits of our labor to celebrate his provision. (Deuteronomy 26:1-11) All those who confess Jesus as Lord, and call on his name are counted among God’s beloved children and will be saved (Romans 10:8b-13). Jesus has done what we could not. He has fully rejected the temptations of the evil one in order to glorify God and secure our salvation (Luke 4:1-13).

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Palm Sunday 2018 (Year B)

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Palm Sunday Sunday 2018 (Year B)

The Humility of the True King
“Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem. He will enter majestically, hearing cries of ‘Hosanna in the highest!’ His sights are set on what he must do; his intentions are faithful to God, who sustains him. Soon the crowds will disperse, to be replaced by tormentors. Adulation will cease, and he will be faced with betrayal. Humiliation and obedience lead to death so that life may abound to God’s glory.”
“This is the day the Lord had made–let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29)! Jesus humbled himself on the cross for us (Philippians 2:5-11). God’s help for us is all-sufficient (Isaiah 50:4-9a). Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Mark 11:1-11).”
-Thomas Oden, from Ancient Christian Devotional
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“Who Shall Deliver Me?” A Poem by Christina Rossetti

Who Shall Deliver Me?

God strengthen me to bear myself;
That heaviest weight of all to bear,
Inalienable weight of care.

All others are outside myself;
I lock my door and bar them out
The turmoil, tedium, gad-about.

I lock my door upon myself,
And bar them out; but who shall wall
Self from myself, most loathed of all?

If I could once lay down myself,
And start self-purged upon the race
That all must run ! Death runs apace.

If I could set aside myself,
And start with lightened heart upon
The road by all men overgone!

God harden me against myself,
This coward with pathetic voice
Who craves for ease and rest and joys

Myself, arch-traitor to myself;
My hollowest friend, my deadliest foe,
My clog whatever road I go.

Yet One there is can curb myself,
Can roll the strangling load from me
Break off the yoke and set me free

-Christina Rossetti