THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Passion Sunday
March 17, 2024
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
Today marks the beginning of Passiontide in our church calendar, which comprises the final two weeks of Lent leading up to Easter. Our Scripture lessons for today set the “tone” for the season, setting forth something of what the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross is, and how the Cross of Christ provides us with the model and pattern for our own lives. The Epistle lesson from Hebrews speaks to us of what Christ has done for us. He is the mediator of the new covenant, that by means of death, we are set free from our sins, our consciences are purified by means of forgiveness, and we receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. Christ has done something for us, once and for all, which we could not do, but can only faithfully and thankfully receive. But the sacrifice of Christ is not just something that was done for us. It is something that must be done in us and through us, transforming our minds and hearts, and ultimately our lives, day by day. This is precisely the message of our Gospel lesson for today where in place of the pursuit of worldly ambition, power, and status, Christ calls his disciples to take His attitude of humble obedience, and make it their own.
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
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of 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
THE SENIORS’ COMMUNITY KITCHEN meets tomorrow March 18th at 10 a.m. in the Upper Hall.
THE EASTER OFFERING this year has been designated by the Vestry to been given to support the Diocese of Qu’Appelle Lenten Appeal for the Bishop Nathaniel Garang Training Centre a in South Sudan. The goal is to raise $100,000 to build four classrooms, a computer laboratory, a library, a principal’s office, washrooms and a Cafeteria by the end of 2025. Gifts can be made by cash, cheque, and e transfer, and made out to St. Mary’s with the a note: Easter Offering. See: https://quappelle.anglican.ca/diocese-of-quappelle-2024-lenten-appeal.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO FOLD PALM CROSSES! Please speak to Simon after the service today if you would have time this week to help fold Palm Crosses in preparation for Palm Sunday.
HOLY WEEK SERVICE SCHEDULE will be distributed in today’s Sunday bulletin.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.