VERSION: 7 September 2001
MIDWEEK LENTEN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE 4
(in the week following the Fourth Sunday in Lent)
OPENING VERSES
He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly;
he never said a word.
Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be shorn,
he never said a word.
He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die,
and no one cared about his fate.
He was put to death for the sins of our people.
He was placed in a grave with those who are evil,
he was buried with the rich,
even though he had never committed a crime or ever told a lie.
(Isa 53:7-9 TEV)
Alternative opening verses could be taken from the beatitudes (Matt 5:3-10), Philippians 2:5-11, selected verses from Habakkuk 3, or Isaiah 38:10-20. The opening sentences of Vespers could be used, or the 'Lamb of God' from the liturgy (LHS p 19 or p 73).
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray (for joy and eternal life through Christ).
(Silent prayer)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
you were lifted up on the cross to redeem the world
and you shed your blood to forgive our sins.
By your holy life, suffering and death on our behalf,
give us joy and receive us into eternal life;
for you live and reign
with the Father and the Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN
FIRST PASSION READING AND RESPONSE
YEAR A: Matthew 27:27-31 The soldiers mock Jesus
(Silence)
All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
YEAR B: Mark 15:1-20 Jesus before Pilate and mocked by the soldiers
(Silence)
All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
YEAR C: Luke 22:66-71 Jesus before the Sanhedrin
(Silence)
Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By a perversion of justice he was taken away, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
So he did not open his mouth.
PSALM 69 or 77
For a musical setting of Psalm 69:6-15, see TIS 39 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame.
For musical settings of Psalm 77:1,2,11-20, see Music Package 9.
SECOND PASSION READING AND RESPONSE
YEAR A: Matthew 27:32-44 Jesus is crucified and mocked
(Silence)
My face is red with weeping, and deep darkness is on my eyelids.
Look and see: is there any sorrow like my sorrow?
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look and see: is there any sorrow like my sorrow?
YEAR B: Mark 15:21-32 Jesus is crucified and mocked
(Silence)
My face is red with weeping, and deep darkness is on my eyelids.
Look and see: is there any sorrow like my sorrow?
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look and see: is there any sorrow like my sorrow?
YEAR C: Luke 23:1-25 Jesus before Pilate and Herod
(Silence)
I have given the people I love into the power of their enemies. My chosen people have turned against me, like a lion in the forest.
Foreign rulers have turned my lovely land into a desert.
My people have lifted their voice against me; so gather all the wild animals, bring them to devour.
Foreign rulers have turned my lovely land into a desert.
ADDRESS/MEDITATION
PRAYERS
Prayers may be preceded by this response:
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Prayers may be said from the following selection.
Take out of our hearts, Lord God,
all self-assertion and boasting,
all desire to excuse ourselves proudly in front of others;
help us rather to take as our master and king
the one who chose to be crowned with thorns
and to die in shame for others and for us all,
your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Be with us, merciful God,
and protect us through the silent hours of this night,
so that we who are wearied
by the changes and chances of this fleeting world
may rest on your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ,
help us to be meek and patient as you were,
so that we may gently bear with the faults of others,
and strive always to root out our own;
for your sake.
Amen.
Lord God, heavenly Father,
watch over us in your mercy,
and guard us in all temptation,
so that, by the help of your Holy Spirit,
we may live according to your will,
and in all needs
receive the comfort of your goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Father and God of all comfort,
grant us through your word and Holy Spirit
a firm, happy, and thankful faith,
to overcome all trials;
help us to realise that it is the truth
when your dear Son Jesus Christ himself says:
Take heart! I have overcome the world.
For, though he died,
yet he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
The following litany is especially suitable for evening.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Stay with us, Lord,
for it is towards evening
and the day is almost over.
Stay with us, Lord,
and with your whole church.
At the end of the day,
at the end of our life,
at the end of the world,
stay with us, Lord.
With your grace and goodness,
with your holy word and sacrament,
with your comfort and blessing,
stay with us, Lord.
When we face the night of suffering and fear,
the night of doubt and temptation,
the night of bitter death,
stay with us, Lord,
and with all your faithful ones,
through time and eternity.
Watch, dear Lord,
with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Hear us, Lord.
Tend your sick ones.
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Hear us, Lord.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your troubled ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
Lord, be with all of us;
drive away the devil
and remove every trap he sets;
let your holy angels stay with us
to keep us in peace;
and let your blessing be always on us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you/us all.
Amen.
SILENT PRAYER
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