Sunday 4 March, 2018

General:
Lectionary
3rd Sunday in Lent

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

General

* Come all you people (StF 22)
I rejoiced when I heard them say (StF 26)
* I've come to wash my soul in the living water (StF 428)
May the glory of the Lord fill his Temple (StF 31)
Sacred the body God has created (StF 618)
Timeless God, you hold our story (website only)

Exodus 20: 1-17

Be still and know and know that I am God, and there is none beside me (StF 19)
Come, let us praise the Lord (StF 43)
Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go (StF 550)
God beyond all names (StF 49)
Help us, O Lord, to learn (StF 501)
Immortal, invisible, God only wise (StF 55)

Psalm 19

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

* All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)
All people that on earth do dwell (StF 1)
Angel voices ever singing (StF 39)
* Come all you people (StF 22)
From all that dwell below the skies (StF 75)
O for a heart to praise my God (StF 507)
With gladness we worship (StF 17)
Your words to me are life and health (StF 164)

1 Corinthians 1: 18-25

* All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (StF 545)
Blest are the pure in heart  (StF 244)
Happy are they who find the grace (StF 500)
Here hangs a man discarded (StF 273)
What kind of love is this that gave itself for me? (StF 286)

John 2: 13-22

I danced in the morning (StF 247)
In this house all people will be welcome (website only)
* I've come to wash my soul in the living water (StF 428)
I will speak out for those who have no voices (StF 702)
Jesus, we thus obey (StF 590)
Let us build a house where love can dwell (StF 409)
Lord, for the years (StF 470)
Love inspired the anger (StF 253)
O thou who camest from above (StF 564)
Our Father in heaven (StF 763)
Show me how to stand for justice (StF 713)
You’re calling us and so we are gathered here (StF 37)

The Revd Philp Poyner writes:

Today’s passages open up many themes for the preacher. Although not explicitly stated in the gospel (John 2), commentators have suggested that the trade in animals was in the Court of the Gentiles, the only part where Gentiles were permitted. So in addition to the exploitation of worshippers, worship by Gentiles is made difficult if not impossible. Not only is God dishonoured by the trade but people too. In the Exodus reading, the Commandments speak of honouring God and people. Are the activities within our church buildings sometimes also undermining mission if perceived as unwelcoming and grasping?

The grasping ‘wisdom’ of the Temple officials provokes Jesus’ anger. It is more than foolishness and Jesus thwarts it ( 1 Corinthians 1: 19 , Psalm 33: 10 , and Isaiah 29: 13-14 are also particularly relevant).

In the Joint Liturgical Group 4 year lectionary the Gospel was linked with 1 Corinthians 3: 10-17 , which helps us see that just as the Temple needed to be cleansed so to do our hearts, the “Temple of God’s Spirit” (v17). That cleansing is made possible through the sacrifice Christ will make (John 2: 21). John 2: 22 also links with the Epistle and Psalm (v7ff).
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