The Second Sunday in Lent
March 16, 2025
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS
The Gospel lessons in the first three Sundays in Lent share a common theme: the confrontation with the devil and the demonic powers, where Jesus is shown to be the One who exposes and resists the deceptions of the devil ( Lent 1) and liberates and heals all who, in their thoughts, are tormented by and enslaved to the power of demons. (Lent 2) But as we see in today’s Gospel lesson, the healing and liberating power of Christ works synergistically, which is to say that it requires humility and trust on our part if we are to receive it. In our Epistle lesson St. Paul highlights the manner in which demonic torment expresses itself in the sphere of sexuality, which leads people to depart from God’s design for sexuality in the marriage between man and woman, and the instrumentalization of sex for self-gratification.
THE LESSON : 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Finally, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity; that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like heathen who do not know God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we solemnly forewarned you. For God has not called us for uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
THE GOSPEL: Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.
PARISH LIFE NOTES
RECTOR’S PRAYER RETREAT AND STUDY LEAVE. Revd. Claude will be away from the parish from March 7-19. For pastoral emergencies contact Deacon Susan Page.
THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN meets this Monday, March 17 at 10 a.m. in the Upper Hall.
2025 LENTEN MISSION with Revd. Howard Thornton will take place March 21-23 with addresses on Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10.30 a.m.
A PRAYER FOR OUR LENTEN MISSION. O heavenly Father we humbly beseech your Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of the people of Regina. We ask you to encourage them to seek the living truth, your Son, the LORD Jesus Christ, and His holy Church. We pray that their hearts may be turned away from the temptations of the world and from the words of heretical teachers. We also pray for ourselves , that our hearts would not be hardened to the Gospel, but that we would be living lights and representatives of our Savior. We pray for St. Mary’s, that it may be a true haven of rest, encouragement, and hope for all who call it home. And we pray that all who call upon the name of the LORD Jesus Christ in Regina, may be one, even as you, your Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. Amen.
HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM SALE: March 29, 2-4pm. Please contact Katie or Alanna if you have educational materials or books to donate. We are also looking for a couple of volunteers to serve coffee and cake.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
- 8.30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Wednesday
- 9:10 a.m. Morning Prayer (shortened)
- 9:30 a.m. Holy Communion
- 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer