Introduction to Lent
What is provided for you here is a simple prayer and scripture guide, adapted from the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship, that covers the duration of the Lenten season. It is meant to be used individually or within your house church, family, or friends for the purpose of prayer, meditation, and reflection.
You will also find these themes and some of these scriptures and prayers mirrored in our Lenten gatherings.
The church invites us to observe a Holy Lent. What this has meant for most of the life of the church is that the forty days leading up to Easter were marked as days in which people returned to the Lord, through prayer and fasting, repentance and self examination, and reading and meditating on God’s word. These are the days in which the people of God purposely turn their hearts to the Lord, opening up the whole of themselves to receive God’s presence and to hear God’s voice. As an expression of the church here in Denver, we are joining with the church worldwide in this journey. We look forward to these days, because in the deepest places in us, we know that we have an aching need, and that is to know our God.
To hear the voice of the one who knit us together and to feel the love of the one who found us and brought us back to himself is truly what we most desire, but so often that desire is drowned by the demands and the patterns that this world throws upon it.
But for these forty days… we listen to the deep places of our hearts, and we let them speak to us. We let our desire to know the Lord drive us, and we make all things subject. In that spirit, the leadership of Bloom is calling our community to forty days of prayer, fasting, and self-examination. Our sermons in this season will focus on the Gospels, as we journey with Christ to the cross, and our hope is that our times of worship together will be places in which we can more deeply and richly experience this season of Lent together as a family.
May you come to know the Lord in new and deeper ways.
~ The Bloom Staff
Morning Prayer
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,
according to your judgement give us life.
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us:
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and forever.
Amen.
The Psalm is read
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever. Amen.
The OT/NT reading(s) are read
Full of compassion and mercy and love
Is God, the Most High, the Almighty.
The Gospel is read
Silence is kept
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust.
You are the God of my salvation,
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
In you I hope all the day long.
O my God, in your I trust.
Remember, Lord, your compassion and love,
for they are from everlasting.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust.
Intercessions are offered
- for the day and its task
- for the world and its needs
- for the Church and her life
- for peace
- for individuals and their needs
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer is said
May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Evening Prayer
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,
according to your judgement give us life.
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
so may your mercy come down upon us
to cleanse our hearts
and set us free to sing your praise
now and forever.
Amen.
Christ committed no sin,
no guile was found on his lips.
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,
that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips,
when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.
When he suffered, he did not threaten,
but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By his wounds, you have been healed,
For you were straying like sheep,
but have now returned
to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Christ committed no sin,
no guile was found on his lips.
The Gospel is read
Silence is kept
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God,
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.
Make haste to help me,
O Lord of my salvation.
Be not far from me, O my God,
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.
Thanksgivings for the day may be made
In penitence and faith let us make our prayer to the Father
and ask for his mercy and grace.
For your holy people,
that they may triumph over evil and grow in grace,
we pray to you, O Lord:
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the leaders of the nations,
that you will guide them in the ways of mercy and truth,
we pray to you, O Lord:
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the needy,
that they may not be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away,
we pray to you, O Lord:
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the sick in body, mind, and spirit,
that they may know your power to heal,
we pray to you, O Lord:
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the poor in spirit,
that they may inherit the kingdom of heaven
and see you face to face,
we pray to you, O Lord:
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us commend the world, for which Christ suffered,
To the mercy and protection of God.
Amen.
Personal intercessions may be offered
The Collect of the day is said
May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Week One
Ash Wednesday
Holy God, our lives are laid open before you: rescue us from the chaos of sin and through the death of your Son bring us healing and make us whole, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Psalm 103
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Isaiah 58:1-12
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2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
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Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
February 27
In your gracious favor, O Lord, direct us in all our doings and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name and by your mercy, obtain everlasting life. Amen.
-
Psalm 1
-
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
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Luke 9:18-25
February 28
Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart. Amen.
-
Psalm 51:1-10
-
Isaiah 58:1-9a
-
Matthew 9:10-17
February 29
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon all our weaknesses, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your hand to help and defend us. Amen.
-
Psalm 86:1-11
-
Isaiah 58:9b-14
-
Luke 5:27-32
Week Two
First Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each find you mighty to save. Amen.
-
Psalm 25:1-9
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Genesis 9:8-17
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1 Peter 3:18-22
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Mark 1:9-15
March 2
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully increase in us your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting; that our lives may be directed to the fulfilling of your most gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
-
Psalm 19:7-14
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Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
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Matthew 25:31-46
March 3
Grant to your people, Lord, grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the evil one, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only true God. Amen.
-
Psalm 34:15-22
-
Isaiah 55:6-11
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Matthew 6:7-15
March 4
Bless us, O God, in this holy season in which our hearts seek your help and healing, and so purify us by your disciplines that we may grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Psalm 51:11-18
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Jonah 3:1-10
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Luke 11:29-32
March 5
Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies and with pure hearts serve you. Amen.
- Psalm 138
- Matthew 7:7-12
March 6
Lord Christ, our eternal Redeemer, grant us such fellowship in your sufferings, that filled with your Holy Spirit, we may subdue the flesh to the spirit, and the spirit to you, and at the last attain to the glory of your resurrection. Amen.
-
Psalm 130
-
Ezekiel 18:21-28
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Matthew 5:20-26
March 7
Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Psalm 15
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Philippians 3:13-21
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John 15:1, 6-16
Week Three
Second Sunday in Lent
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
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Psalm 22:22-30
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Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
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Romans 4:13-25
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Mark 8:1-38
March 9
Let your Spirit, O Lord, come into the midst of us to wash us with the pure water of repentance and prepare us to be always a living sacrifice to you. Amen.
-
Psalm 79:1-9
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Daniel 9:3-10
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Luke 6:27-38
March 10
O God, you willed to redeem us from all sin by your Son: deliver us when we are tempted to regard sin without disgust and let the virtue of his passion come between us and our mortal enemy. Amen.
-
Psalm 50:7-15, 22-24
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Isaiah 1:2-4, 16-20
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Matthew 23:1-12
March 11
O God, you so loved the world that you gave your only begotten Son to reconcile earth with heaven: grant that we, loving you above all things, may love our friends in you and our enemies for your sake. Amen.
-
Psalm 31:9-16
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Jeremiah 18:1-11, 18-20
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Matthew 20:17-28
March 12
O Lord, strong and mighty: cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our hands pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last day we may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Psalm 1
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Jeremiah 17:5-10
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Luke 16:19-31
March 13
Grant, O Lord, that as your Son Jesus Christ prayed for his enemies on the cross, so we may have grace to forgive those who wrongfully or scornfully use us, that we ourselves may be able to receive your forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-
Psalm 105:16-22
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Genesis 37:3-4, 12-28
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Matthew 21:33-43
March 14
Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Psalm 103:1-12
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Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
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Luke 15:11-32
Week Four
Third Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul. Amen.
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Psalm 19
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Exodus 20:1-17
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1 Corinthians 1:18-25
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John 2:13-22
March 16
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first suffered pain and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace. Amen.
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Psalm 42:1-7
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2 Kings 5:1-15b
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Luke 4:23-30
March 17
O Lord, we beg you to hear us mercifully; and grant that we, to whom you have given a fervent desire to pray, may, by your mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and difficulties. Amen.
-
Psalm 25:3-10
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Matthew 18:21-35
March 18
Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of your servants in safety under your protection, that amid all the changes of our earthly journey, we may be guarded by your mighty aid. Amen.
-
Psalm 78:1-6
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Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 5-9
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Matthew 5:17-19
March 19
Keep watch over your Church, O Lord, with your unfailing love; and, since it is grounded in human weakness and cannot maintain itself without your aid, protect it from all danger and keep it in the way of salvation. Amen.
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Psalm 95:6-11
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Jeremiah 7:23-28
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Luke 11:14-23
March 20
Grant us, O Lord our strength, a true love of your Holy Name; so that trusting in your grace, we may fear no earthly evil, nor fix our hearts on earthly goods, but may rejoice in your full salvation. Amen.
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Psalm 81:8-14
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Hosea 14:1-9
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Mark 12:28-34
March 21
O God, you know us to be set in the midst of such great evils, that by reason of the frailty of our humanity we cannot always stand upright: grant us your strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations. Amen.
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Psalm 51:15-20
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Hosea 6:1-6
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Luke 18:9-14
Week Five
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us and we in him; who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
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Numbers 21:4-9
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Ephesians 2:1-10
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John 3:14-21
March 23
Merciful Lord, you know our struggle to serve you: when sin spoils our lives and overshadows our hearts, come to our aid and turn us back to you again; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Psalm 30:1-6, 11-13
- Isaiah 65:17-25
- John 4:43-54
March 24
O God, with you is the well of life and in your light we see light: quench our thirst with living water and flood our darkened minds with heavenly light. Amen.
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Psalm 46:1-8
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Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12
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John 5:1-18
March 25
Merciful Lord, cleanse your people from their offenses, that through your abounding goodness we may be delivered from the chains of those sins which we have committed by our weakness. Amen.
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Psalm 145:8-19
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Isaiah 49:8-15
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John 5:19-29
March 26
Almighty and most merciful God, drive from us all weakness of body, mind, and spirit; that being restored to wholeness, we may with free hearts become what you intend us to be and accomplish what you want us to do. Amen.
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Psalm 106:6-7, 19-23
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Exodus 32:7-14
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John 5:30-47
March 27
O God, you have given us the Good News of your abounding love in your Son Jesus Chris, so fill our hearts with thankfulness that we may rejoice to proclaim the good tidings we have received. Amen.
-
Psalm 34:15-22
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John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
March 28
Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, and spare all those who confess their sins to you; that those whose consciences are assaulted by sin may by your merciful pardon be forgiven and freed. Amen.
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Psalm 7:6-11
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Jeremiah 11:18-20
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John 7:37-52
Week Six
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found. Amen.
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Psalm 51:1-13
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Jeremiah 31:31-34
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Hebrews 5:5-10
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John 12:20-33
March 30
Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our Savior’s blood, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Psalm 89:1-29
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2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16
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Romans 4:13-18
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Luke 2:41-52
March 31
Almighty God, through the incarnate Word you have caused us to be born anew of an imperishable seed: look with compassion upon those who are being prepared for Baptism and grant that they may be built as living stones into a spiritual temple acceptable by you. Amen.
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Psalm 102:15-22
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Numbers 21:4-9
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John 8:21-30
April 1
Almighty God our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you. Amen.
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Daniel 3:14-20, 24-28
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John 8:31-42
April 2
O God, you have called us to be your children and have promised that those who suffer with Christ will be heirs with him in your glory: provide us with such trust in him that we may ask no rest from his demands and have no fear in his service. Amen.
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Psalm 105:4-11
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Genesis 17:1-8
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John 8:51-59
April 3
O Lord, you relieve our necessity out of the abundance of your great riches: grant that we may accept with joy the salvation you bestow and manifest it to all the world by the holiness and grace of our lives. Amen.
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Psalm 18:1-7
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Jeremiah 20:7-13
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John 10:31-42
April 4
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Psalm 85:1-7
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Ezekiel 37:21-28
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John 11:45-53
Holy Week
Palm Sunday
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his humility: mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering and also share in his resurrection. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
- Mark 11:1-11
PM Reading
- Psalm 31:9-16
- Isaiah 50:4-9
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Mark 14:1-15:47
April 6
True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 36:5-11
- John 12:1-11
PM Reading
- Isaiah 42:1-9
- Hebrews 9:11-15
April 7
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for your sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, forever and ever. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 71:1-14
- John 12:20-36
PM Reading
- Isaiah 49:1-7
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
April 8
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 70
- John 13:21-32
PM Reading
- Isaiah 50:4-9a
- Hebrews 12:1-3
April 9
God our Father, you have invited us to share in the supper which your Son gave to his Church to proclaim his death until he comes: may he nourish us by his presence and unite us in his love; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 116:1, 10-17
- John 13:1-17, 31b-35
PM Reading
- Exodus 12:1-14
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
April 10
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this, your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 22
- John 18:1-19:42
PM Reading
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12
- Hebrews 10:16-25
Holy Saturday
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: grant that, as the crucified body of your beloved Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
AM Reading
- Psalm 31: 1-4; 15-16
- Job 14:1-14
PM Reading
- Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24
- 1 Peter 4:1-18
- Matthew 27:57-66