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Easter 2A - April 19, 2020

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 – Peter’s Pentecostal Sermon (part 1). This man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

Psalm 16 – Protect me O God, for in you I take refuge.

1 Peter 1:3-9 – Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

John 20:19-31 – When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Doubting Thomas: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

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Almighty God, you granted the apostle Mary Magdalene to be the first witness of the resurrection, and the first to announce the good news. Following her example, may we also be witnesses of the resurrection, witnesses of Christ to the world, until that day when we see him in glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.         

Acts 10:34-43 – Peter’s sermon. God shows no partiality. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. They put him to death on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day…
OR
Jeremiah 31:1-6  - I have loved you with an everlasting love. I will build you again. Vineyards will once again be planted in Samaria.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 - On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Colossians 3:1-4  - So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is.
OR
Acts 10:34-43 - Peter’s sermon. God shows no partiality. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. They put him to death on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day…

John 20:1-18 - Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb… Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
OR
Matthew 28:1-10 - But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

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Merciful God, your Son was lifted up on the cross to draw all people to himself. Grant that we who have been born out of his wounded side may at all times find mercy in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 – The Song of the Suffering Servant. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…
Psalm 22 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Hebrews 10:16-25 – I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. New covenant.
or
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 – Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, let us hold fast to our confession. 
John 18:1 - 19:42 – John’s passion: arrest, trail, crucifixion.

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Lent 5A – March 29, 2020

Ezekiel 37:1-14 – The Valley of the Dry Bones. I am going to bring you up from your graves, my people. 

Psalm 130 – Out of the depths I cry to you. 

Romans 8:6-11 - If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

John 11:1-45 – The Raising of Lazarus

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Lent 4A - March 22, 2020

1 Samuel 16:1-13 – Humans look on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart.

Psalm 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.

Ephesians 5:8-14 – Live as children of the light. Sleeper awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

John 9:1-41 – Healing of the Man Born Blind

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Lent 3A - March 15, 2020

Exodus 17:1-7 - Moses brings water out of a rock at Massah and Meribah.

Psalm 95 - The Venite: O Come, let us sing to the Lord, let us shout for joy to the God of our salvation. 

Romans 5:1-11 - Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ… We boast in our sufferings, for suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character… While we were weak, Christ died for the ungodly. 

John 4:5-42 - The Woman at the Well. “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

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Lent 2A - March 8, 2020

Genesis 12:1-4a – God calls Abram at 75 to leave his country and kindred. “I will bless you to be a blessing.”
Psalm 121 – I lift my eyes to the hills. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. The Lord will be your shade. The sun will not strike you. The Lord will keep your going out and coming in forevermore.
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 – The promise rests not only on the adherents to the law, but to those who share the faith of Abraham. 
John 3:1-17  – Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night. Born again.

Lent at-a-glance

The Gospel readings for Lent in Cycle A of the lectionary are the traditional texts that catechumenates studied in preparation for baptism. What if every new member class studied and reflected on these texts?

• Lent 1 (March 1, 2020): Matthew 4 (The Temptation in the Wilderness)
• Lent 2 (March 8, 2020): John 3 (Nicodemus) or Matthew 17
• Lent 3 (March 15, 2020): John 4 (Woman at the Well)
• Lent 4: (March 22, 2020) John 9 (Healing of the Man Born Blind)
• Lent 5: (March 29, 2020) John 11 (The Raising of Lazarus)

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Lent 1A - March 1, 2020

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 - Adam and Eve eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. “On the day that you eat of it, you shall die.”

Psalm 32 - Happy are those whose transgression is covered, whose sin is forgiven.

Romans 5:12-19 - Death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses. Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.

Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus’ 40-day fast and the Temptation in the Wilderness