Lent 5: Conformed to the Image of Christ
Summary: Today’s Old Testament reading from Jeremiah comes at a time when the people of Israel were tempted to be devoted to false gods. Their moral foundation fell apart and their society became sick with things that created suffering. We learn that God made a new covenant and forgave their sins and idolatry. They were filled with love and their conscience was shaped by the word of God. Jesus transformed the way we think about values. The Christian faith is about being conformed to Christ. Apart from God, we do not know who we are and what we are meant to do. We are called to embody the moral foundation written on our hearts by God, and illustrated by Christ.
The 5th Sunday of Lent – March 21, 2021
Order of Worship
Prelude: “My People, Bewail Your Sins”, J.S. Bach
Greeting
Opening Hymn: “Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow”
Prayer of the Day
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Gospel Reading: John 12: 20-33
Anthem: “My Jesus, I Love Thee”, by Adoniram Gordon (1876), text by William Featherston (1864), arranged by Dan Forrest
Sermon
Sermon Hymn: “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery”
Prayers of the Church and The Lord’s Prayer
Benediction
Sending Hymn: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
Dismissal
Postlude: “Lenten Procession”, David Hegarty
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What a promise God gave us in this sermon! We were told that we would live a new life, with justice and kindness. Christ died on the cross that we might have all this, with our sins forgiven. What a promise!