FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT, YEAR B

2018 - 18 March
2021 - 21 March
2024 - 17 March
2027 - 14 March
2030 - 07 April
2033 - 03 April
2036 - 30 March

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Lent season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCE
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, 
when I will make a new covenant 
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  
(Jer 31:31 NRSV)

OR
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 
'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'	 (Ps 110:4 NRSV)

OR, use one of the standard Lent Sentences in the document 'Lent season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Almighty God, 
look mercifully on your family, 
that by your great goodness 
they may be governed and preserved forever 
in body and soul; 
through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Almighty God, 
look in mercy on your family. 
By your great goodness, 
guide and protect us forever 
in body and soul. 
We ask this through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, alternative
(Let us pray that by faith in Christ we may share in his victory. [silence])
Most merciful God, 
you saved humankind 
by the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. 
Strengthen our faith in him who suffered on the cross, 
so that we may triumph in the power of his victory. 
For he lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, new
(Let us pray that we remain united with Christ. [silence])
Jesus our Saviour, 
thank you for coming to give us life 
through your suffering and death. 
Keep us following you 
wherever you lead us, 
because we know that you have promised 
to take us home to God. 
For you live and reign 
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

FIRST READING
Jeremiah 31:31-34 God promises a new covenant

PSALM
Psalm 51:1-12
Antiphon: 
Create in me a clean heart, O God.  (Ps 51:10a NRSV)
OR
Psalm 119:9-16
Antiphon: 
With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments.  (Ps 119:10 NRSV)

SECOND READING
Hebrews 5:5-10 Jesus the great high priest, made perfect through suffering

VERSE
Use either the Verse given in the order of service or the following verse.

(Jesus said:) 'Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there will be my servant also.'  (John 12:26 NRSV)

GOSPEL
John 12:20-33 Jesus announces that his hour has come

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus, 
thank you for giving up your life for our sake. 
Make us ready to give up ourselves and follow you. 
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for making us yours 
through the sacrifice of your Son. 
Let your Spirit live in us 
to make us more and more like Christ. 
Lead us to serve others 
with all that you have given us. 
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
Our Lord Jesus Christ is our high priest, and he stands at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. Let us pray to the Father, knowing that he listens to us for Jesus' sake.

The regular response, OR:
Father, we call on you,
knowing you will hear us.

Suggested intercessions
*	for all the baptised, that they may daily die to sin and rise to new life with Christ in the power of the Spirit
*	for those who mourn the death of a loved one
*	for hospices and those who work with the dying
*	for those who work with alcoholics and drug addicts, that they may bring them new life
*	that we may face death in the certain hope of resurrection, and that we may be raised up together with all who have died in the faith of Christ
*	for those preparing for baptism or confirmation at Easter

Concluding prayer
Heavenly Father, your Son descended into the grave like a grain of wheat, but you glorified him by raising him up to life. Restore us to life, so that we may serve you in the world; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR
Response:
For the dying love of Christ,
we praise you, Lord.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, your Son's wounded arms reach out from the cross to enfold all people in the world in your forgiving love. Draw people of all sizes, shapes and colours to you to rescue them from the embrace of the evil one.

As your Son gave up his innocent life to reach out and rescue others, help us to reach out in unselfish love to be a helping hand to other people. Today we pray for those in our world who are threatened by fire, floods, diseases, wars, and injury through accidents.

We ask you to bless
*	those who are afraid to live
*	those who are scared of dying
*	those who share the good news of your love
*	those who reach out in loving concern to the unlovely people.

Bless the volunteers and workers in our community who work in
*	hospitals
*	fire brigades
*	ambulances
*	prisons
*	local government
*	our local churches
*	aged care and nursing homes
*	and among the families and friends of suicides.

Concluding prayer
Loving Father, as the grains of wheat become bread to nourish our hungry bodies, and the grapes are crushed to become new wine for our thirsty spirits, feed us now with the body and blood of your Son, broken and shed for us, so that we may go out refreshed and nourished and bring honour and glory to your name by the way we live. For the sake of Jesus Christ your Son.
Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good, 
Lord God, holy Father, 
that we should at all times and in all places 
give thanks to you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
He has taken on himself our sin, 
so that we might die to sin 
and live to righteousness. 
And so, with angels and archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, 
we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION
Every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup 
we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
For a Lent post-communion prayer, see the document 'Lent season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Most merciful God, 
you saved humankind 
by the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. 
Through this sacrament, 
strengthen our faith in him who suffered on the cross, 
so that we may triumph in the power of his victory. 
For he lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) Christ our crucified Saviour draw you to himself, 
so that you may find in him the assurance of sins forgiven 
and the gift of eternal life; . . .

DISMISSAL
Go in peace to follow and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.  OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS 

FOR THE READINGS
Please note:	* =	Modernised version available
	G3, G4 . . . =	Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . . 
	GS =	Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
LHS 
299 	My God, accept my heart this day G5
757	On my heart imprint your image
AT 
184 	Love is the law
357 	Give us hearts to know you, Lord
TIS 
428 	Help us, O Lord, to learn
485 	My God, accept my heart this day G5
614 	O God of love, whose heart is ever yearning G4

Second reading: Hebrews 5:5-10
LHS 
81 	O perfect life of love* G5
141 	Father of heaven, whose love profound G5
160 	Arise, my soul, arise G9
173 	Before the throne of God above G5
282 	Draw nigh and take the body of the Lord*
AT
125	Jesus, Son of God and man
TIS 
131 	Father of heaven, whose love profound
206 	With joy we meditate the grace
498 	Draw near and take the body of our Lord

Gospel: John 12:20-33
LHS
50 	Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
57 	A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth* G5
109 	Draw us to Thee* G5
136	All glory be to God on high* G7
177 	O my Saviour, lifted G5
228 	Lord Jesus Christ, the cause is Thine* G3
361 	Let us ever walk with Jesus*
371 	O Jesus, I have promised
457 	Mighty God, we praise Thy name (TIS 127 extra verse) G6
469 	Come, ye people, rise and sing G4
620 	O dearest Lord, Thy sacred head G5
807 	Lift high the cross GS
AT 
250 	Glorify your name
401 	Follow me
465	How deep is the love
488	Open our eyes
495	Come follow me
TIS 
127 	Holy God, we praise your name
248 	When Christ was lifted from the earth
331 	Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle (vv 1,3,6)
351 	Lift high the cross
352 	O dearest Lord, thy sacred head
353 	The glory of our King was seen
595 	O Jesus, I have promised
598 	Dear Father, Lord of humankind
600 	O my Saviour, lifted

PSALM 51:1-12
For musical settings of Psalm 51:1-12, see Music Packages 5, 6 and 9.

TIS 31, Have mercy on us, living Lord, is a paraphrase of Psalm 51, and TIS 32, Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness, is a version of Psalm 51:1-4a,10-12,15.

The following paraphrases of the psalm are by David Schütz. If reproducing either of these versions, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm. The first is sung to the tune Aus tiefer Not (Luther), LHS 310.

Have mercy on me, O my God,
according to your steadfast love;
wipe my transgressions from your sight,
according to your gen'rous grace.
O wash me from iniquity,
and cleanse me from the stain of sin;
for I know my transgressions.

I've sinned against you, Lord, alone,
and done what's evil in your sight,
so you are right to sentence me,
and blameless when you judge my sin.
Indeed, a sinner I was born,
but you seek truth within my heart;
so make me know your wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, make me clean; 
O wash me, make me white as snow. 
Let me hear sounds of joy again; 
and give me gladness in my soul.
O let the bones you crushed be healed. 
and turn your face from all my sins, 
blot out all my transgressions. 

Create in me a clean heart, God, 
and let my spirit be renewed.
Don't cast me out away from you, 
or take your spirit from my heart.
Restore to me the joy I knew
when first you saved me from my sin.
Uphold me with your spirit. 

This second version may be sung to the tune Delay not, LH 304. Note that verse 13 is added to complete the song verse

Have mercy upon me, O God, in your love;
blot out my transgressions, O merciful God;
O wash me and cleanse me from all of my guilt, 
for I know my sin and I know what I've done. 

Against you, O Father, alone, I have sinned, 
and done what is evil, condemned by your law. 
I know that your judgment is righteous and true; 
I know I am guilty, that's how I was born. 

But you look for truth in my innermost thoughts; 
so give me your wisdom deep down in my heart. 
Oh, purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, 
and wash me and make me far whiter than snow. 

That I may be glad, let me hear your good news; 
and let me rejoice when my bones have been healed. 
Don't let your eyes rest on the sins I have done; 
blot out from your memory the things I've done wrong. 

Create a clean heart within me, O my God, 
and put a right spirit within me, O Lord. 
Don't chase me away from your presence, I pray, 
and don't take your life-giving spirit away. 

O Lord, be my Saviour, renew all my joy, 
sustain in me your willing spirit to serve; 
and then I will teach those who sing of your love, 
and they will return to you just as I have.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

JEREMIAH 31:31-34: Jeremiah's repeated condemnations of the people's unfaithfulness to their covenant God are followed in this reading by one of the most remarkable prophesies in Scripture. The marriage-like relationship established by the Lord in the covenant made at Mount Sinai was broken time and time again. God, though, would make a new and better covenant with both Israel and Judah. He would write the 'law' of this covenant into their hearts in such a way that it would transform and keep them permanently both as  'knowing him' and known by him. In the gospel promises, the sin which separates us from God is cleansed. Through Christ the Spirit 'writes' the terms of this covenant through the faith which receives forgiveness and then serves in love.

HEBREWS 5:5-10: To understand this reading we need to remember that Christ Jesus born in the flesh was both fully God and at the same time fully human. The two messianic psalm quotes (Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4) indicate this. The priesthood 'after the order of Melchuzedek' denotes a different order of priests than the Jewish Levites. Jesus could only be a priest 'forever' if he were fully God. Yet this priesthood required offering himself as the sacrifice. He therefore had to be fully human in order to die. Verses 7 and 8 powerfully demonstrate the human helplessness and intense suffering of Gethsemane in his prayers. To undergo this work successfully and to achieve universal salvation could only be attained through his perfection as God, but also reached through his perfect human obedience.

JOHN 12:20-33: When some Greeks wished to see Jesus, the answer of Jesus to their request (conveyed by Andrew and Philip) was an announcement of his coming passion. Jesus' real glorification was to be in fulfilling the will of the Father that his single death would bring eternal life for all. Any who would see this 'glorification' could do so only through faith which loses the worldly life but gains the heavenly and transforms the believer to the joy of loving service to the Father. The voice of God (as at Sinai) affirms Jesus' announcement and determination. Through his death and resurrection Satan is driven out and Jesus draws all to himself. 

VISUAL

visuals for the READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, a symbol of a grain of wheat sprouting could accompany the gospel. The following suggestion could also be followed.

PULPIT CRUCIFIX
St Paul said that we preach Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23). We preach the gospel so that people may see Jesus. Lutherans have traditionally placed their crucifixes on the altar, to associate the sacrament with the gift of the body and blood of Jesus. But there is another tradition that is also very appropriate to the Lutheran emphasis on preaching: that of placing a crucifix above the pulpit. A pulpit cross is a constant reminder that the preacher is to preach Christ crucified, so that through the preaching of Christ, those who come to church may see Jesus.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama  resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

dramatising the READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel could be read by five readers: narrator (the pastor), a Greek, Jesus, person in the crowd, voice from heaven.

CHILDREN

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN
You could talk about seeds and their new life, preferably showing some, including sprouting ones.

'COME AND SEE JESUS'
The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is 'Jesus rides into Jerusalem'. Material for this story may be found in the original edition in the Series A book, 1 Advent, year B; and in the revised RCL edition in 5 Lent, year B.