FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT- PASSION SUNDAY
March 26, 2023
GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
PREVIEW OF SUNDAY’S READINGS.
The last two weeks of Lent are known as Passiontide, where the focus of our worship, prayer, and meditation is on the suffering and death of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. In our lesson today from the Letter to the Hebrews, the mystery and necessity of Christ’s Passion is presented with reference to the pattern of worship set out in the Law of Moses.
THE LESSON: Hebrews 9:11-16
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, takingnot the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 20:20-28
St. Maximos the Confessor ( AD 580 – 662) wrote that, “ He who knows the mystery of the Cross and Tomb, knows the essential principle of all things.” In our Gospel lesson today we see that what Christ accomplished for us on the Cross, He also wants to accomplish in us and through us, so that the salvation which He has won might extend through all the world.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favourof him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
PARISH LIFE NOTES
ST. MARY’S VESTRY. We give thanks and pray for our Vestry members who are meeting today after the service to further the mission and ministry of our parish, manage its affairs, and to seek God’s will: Andrew(Churchwarden), Dave (Churchwarden), John, Nathaniel, Derek, Katherine, Alanna.
The Refugee and Newcomer Support Committee is seeking volunteers to provide transportation to the refugee family when they need assistance to attend medical appointments or other commitments in the community. Please contact Rev. Nathaniel if you are interested in volunteering and providing service to your faith community through volunteerism. All interested individuals will be added to the list of those who can help and will be contacted for availability when some needs for transportation arises.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER AND SUPPER Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
SCHEDULE FOR HOLY WEEK SERVICES will be distributed along with the bulletin at today’s service.
Women and Food Security – You are invited to a dinner and speaker event in Regina on April 22, 2023, beginning at 5 pm at Immanuel Anglican Church, 142 Massey Road, Regina. Free will donations will be accepted. Please register by April 14 to Rick and Jacquie Block at Saskatchewan@foodgrainsbank.ca or 306-222-8977.
This unique opportunity, Women & Food Security, is co-sponsored by Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and one of its members – The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF). Anyone interested is welcome to join us as we raise awareness of the important role of empowering women in efforts to assist those who lack a secure access to food.
Our guest speaker Mary Concepter Obiero works for PWRDF partner Church World Service in Kenya. Mary brings a wealth of professional experience in community engagement and development, and she will provide us with direct knowledge of both the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, and how response efforts are making a difference.
Come ready to enjoy a delicious meal, and with a willingness to learn and engage in this important work. Donations will be accepted.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:30 am
- Wednesday at 9.00 a.m.
Evening Prayer
- Wednesday at 5:30 pm. followed by a light supper & discussion in the Upper Hall.