Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

^{Mt 6:21} For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The ashes are a symbol for repentance and the desire for a changed life The service on Ash Wednesday provides an opportunity to examine our lives and set  priorities in important areas.

If you are not having a service on Ash Wednesday these resources are also suitable for the first Sunday in Lent.

Giving to the Needy  vv 6:1-4; Prayer  vv6:5-6;

Fasting  vv 16-18;      Our Treasures vv19-21

What are your priorities for change and action  as you journey through Lent.?

What actions might assist you to support  partner churches and projects during Lent?

Prayer:

Gracious and loving God,
As we carry with us the mark of the cross we remember
that we are those who have chosen to follow Jesus.
History reminds us that this is a season that has always been
observed with penitence, fasting and prayers. Ashes remind us
of our own mortality and the finality of our existence on this earth.
Even as we reflect on our own limitations help us to recognise
those whose needs are greater than our own and unite us in your love.

Amen

Hymn: When I needed a neighbour, were you there? TIS 629

Gospel: Luke 4: 1-13 The Temptation of Jesus

c.f. Seasons of the Spirit resources for an interactive version of the Gospel lesson.

^{Lk 4:8} “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’’”

It is so easy to ignore the needs of others when they live in countries we have never visited and whose cultures are different from our own.

What are the temptations which might detract us from our worship and service during lent?  Are there easy answers that we need to avoid? Is it enough to just make a donation?

A Prayer:

As we journey through Lent
may we listen in a new way to
the voices of the lost and forgotten
who cry out in pain and need – the voices
of our partners in Thailand, North Korea
and our indigenous brothers and sisters,
the refugees, the hungry or oppressed
Help us to set aside the easy answers
that tempt us to enjoy our comfortable lives
and to ignore their cries for help.
Guide our steps in love, we pray,
and open our lives to ways of sharing their
suffering and supporting their ministry. Amen

Hymn: May this Lenten discipline, which we undertake with love, turn our minds to things above. TIS 463

Gospel Luke 13: 31-35 Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

³⁴ “I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
c.f. Seasons of the Spirit resources for this story of Jesus’ love in simple language.

How willing are we to join Jesus in caring for others?
How can we assist  our brothers and sisters in Thailand as they care for those suffering with AIDS?

Prayer:
Many things paralyse us, O God.
There is despair and fear as we glimpse others problems.
Endless struggle for enough resources in times of economic crisis,
Confusion and too many discussions on problems
that seem too complex for us to understand or resolve.
We hold back because we would rather stand still
than face criticism or make a  mistake
We spend our energy struggling over small things
while the world groans in pain and the cries of the people
seem more than we can bear to listen to.
We carry the heavy burden of our guilt for things not done
while you, O God, offer us forgiveness and pardon
Open our ears to hear the cries in far off places
and our hearts to know your love and care for others. Amen

Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9  A Life or Death Decision

³ I tell you, unless you repent, you too will all perish.

What do you need to repent of to ensure that others have the opportunity to grow and enjoy life?

Will you join with our partner church in Korea to establish a TB hospice in North Korea?

Prayer:

God, we so often settle into the comfort of convenience,
failing to notice that other’s lives are fading away.
So, surprise us with your loving kindness.
Let our lives be enriched with overflowing love
and carried across the seas to the horizons of
human mercy. Cause us to pause, turn around
on the Lenten road and see a new reality.
On this road may we find in faith
the life giving gifts of God through Christ.
Then, in celebration, we will refresh the world,
with generosity beyond the commonplace and nurture
the lives of others with patient care and
life giving opportunities. Amen

Gospel Luke 15:1-3 & 11b-32 The Parable of the Lost Son

²⁰ “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw himand was filled with compassion for him;

How can we offer a spiritual homecoming for our indigenous brothers and sisters as the UAICC seeks to be part of the UCA?

What can we do to assist them to feel welcome and accepted?

Prayer:

Loving Spirit, we seek to give meaning and purpose to our
covenant relationship with our aboriginal brothers and sisters
in Christ. We resolve that by the grace of God we shall strive to
make good for past errors and as much as we are able to live
differently so that our Aboriginal brothers and sisters may share
equally with us in the bounty of this land and the fellowship of
your church. Bring us together as true partners in ministry that together
we might overcome past mistakes  and break down the barriers that have
divided us. Bless the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress,
its congregations and communities of faith. We pray that we will support
them and all who minister to the spiritual, social, mental and emotional
well being of Aboriginal Australians in any way we can. Move us to acts
of true reconciliation and change us so that we might make a difference.
Strengthen us all, that we may be reconciled with each other and united
in your service, witness and fellowship.  Amen

(adapted from worship resources for Reconciliation Sunday May 2009)

Hymn: Lord of earth and all creation TIS672

Gospel: John 12:1-8  Mary’s gift to Jesus

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet” (John 12:v3)

How willing are we to share our wealth with others?

What precious gift do we have to offer to those who have less?

Prayer:

O God, we are continually reminded that the poor
are with us and the task of overcoming poverty seems to
demand far more than we are willing to give.
Yet you never turned away from those who came to you.
You embraced all who sought your help and with costly
compassion offered them fullness of life.
We proclaim that we need to ‘Make Poverty History’
and so we bring before you those who have come to us and
sought our support as partners in their ministry to the poor.
The Church of Christ in Thailand with its ministry to those 
impoverished by HIV/AIDS, the church in South Korea offering
health care to those struggling to combat the spread
of TB in North Korea, and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander
Christian Congress in their ministry with indigenous children
and young people on the fringes of society in Port Augusta.
Grant that we, through generous support and compassionate
acts can assist them to overcome their poverty and find
new opportunities for health and life. Amen.

Gospel: Luke 22:14- 23:56  The Passion story

¹⁹ “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

“You cannot really understand the passion of Jesus unless you have some idea of what Jesus was passionate about.” (Bill Loader: The Passion of Christ)

In what ways could your participation in this Lenten program be a way of your entering into the sufferings of Christ? 

Or Luke 19: 28-40 Palm Sunday   The one who comes

^{Lk 19:38} “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

How will you greet Christ if he comes to you amongst people in far off places?

Will you recognize him and how will you respond?

Prayer:

Gentle and compassionate Christ, help us to recognise
you as you enter our cities in unexpected ways.
Help us to recognise those that follow you
and to join with those who greet you as you come.
Let us journey alongside you as you join
desperate innocents in their suffering.

Help us to follow you into distant places,
Setting aside home comforts, denying false values,
refusing the tempting ways of self-indulgence,
and resisting the coercive persuasion of media lies.

Help us to follow you in untiring ministry
to town and village, to heal and restore,
to overcome greed, resentment, and the destructive
fears so rampant in our society.

Prepare us for lives requiring costly service.
to set our faces firmly against friendly suggestions
that encourage us to live safe, expedient lives,
Instead let us embrace boldly the way of self-offering.
to break the chain of past wrongs and selfish actions
and become fit to face the challenges of a new day.

Living, Lord Jesus, our Brother and friend,
Help us to follow you even to the cross,
to see our hope in your self-spending love,
to die to all within us not born of your love.
and give ourselves in selfless service. Amen
(Adapted from Seasons of the Spirit Palm/Passion resources 2006)