VERSION: 7 September 2001

MIDWEEK LENTEN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE 3
(in the week following the Third Sunday in Lent)

OPENING VERSES
No one would even look at him;
we ignored him as if he were nothing.
But he endured the suffering that should have been ours,
the pain that we should have borne.
All the while we thought that his suffering was punishment sent by God.
But because of our sins he was wounded,
beaten because of the evil we did. 
We are healed by the punishment he suffered,
made whole by the blows he received.
All of us were like sheep that were lost,
each of us going our own way. 
But the Lord made the punishment fall on him,
the punishment all of us deserved.  (Isa 53:3b-6 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 (that Jesus will live in our hearts).
(Silent prayer)
Lord Jesus Christ, 
you have given your life to redeem us, 
yourself for our example, 
your word for our rule, 
your love for our guide, 
your body on the cross for our sin. 
Enter our hearts 
and take possession of them, 
and live with us forever; 
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 27:3-10 Judas hangs himself
(Silence)
My own friend has betrayed me with a kiss. 
The one I will kiss is the man, arrest him.
This is the sign he gave, with a kiss he brought about my death. 
Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, 
he departed; and he went and hanged himself. 
This is the sign he gave, with a kiss he brought about my death.

YEAR B: Mark 14:53-65 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.

YEAR C: Luke 22:54-62 Peter denies Jesus
(Silence)
Simon, Simon, listen! 
Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat,
but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. 
I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, 
until you have denied three times that you know me.
And you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, 
until you have denied three times that you know me.

PSALM 38 or 57

second PASSION READING and response
year A: Matthew 27:11-26 Jesus before Pilate
(Silence)
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together
against the Lord and his Anointed.
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain
against the Lord and his Anointed?
OR:
My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill, and planted it with choice vines.  
How could you yield wild grapes, 
that you should crucify me and release Barabbas?
He dug it and cleared it of stones, he built a watch-tower in the midst of it. 
How could you yield wild grapes, 
that you should crucify me and release Barabbas?

YEAR B: Mark 14:66-72 Peter denies Jesus
(Silence)
A young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked. 
But Peter was following him at a distance, 
in order to see how this would end. 
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 
But Peter was following him at a distance, 
in order to see how this would end. 

YEAR C: Luke 22:63-65 Jesus is mocked and beaten
(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.

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 selected from the following:
Lord Jesus, 
you have called us to follow you, 
and through the power of your Spirit, 
we try to respond in faith and obedience. 
Keep us from growing cold in our love 
and ceasing to follow you, 
and preserve us from following so far behind 
that in times of trial 
we are led to deny you. 
In your name we pray. 
Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, 
we condemn the unfairness and injustice 
of your condemnation. 
Save us from all hatred and bad feeling 
against our neighbours, 
so that we do not crucify you again 
by unjustly accusing you 
in our fellow human beings; 
we ask this for the sake of your name. 
Amen.

Teach us, good Lord, 
to serve you as you deserve; 
to give and not to count the cost; 
to fight the good fight of faith 
and not to heed the wounds; 
to toil and not to seek for rest; 
to labour and to ask for no reward, 
except to know that we do your will; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns 
with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

We pray to you, O God, 
for all who are worn out by illness, 
all who are wronged and oppressed, 
all who are suffering for righteousness' sake, 
for the weary and heavy-laden, 
and for the aged and the dying, 
that they may all be strengthened by your might, 
consoled by your love, 
and cherished by your fatherly kindness. 
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.

Lord, for your tender mercy's sake, 
do not take account of our sins, 
but forgive what is past 
and help us to amend our lives, 
to decline from sin 
and incline to virtue, 
so that we may walk 
with a perfect heart in your presence, 
now and forever. 
Amen.

Merciful Father, 
grant us the life-giving power 
of your Holy Spirit, 
so that in whatever cross you lay upon us 
we may recognise your fatherly discipline, 
accept it with patience, 
and endure it with cheerfulness; 
through your Son, 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

O Lord, support us all the day long 
of this troubled life, 
until the shadows lengthen 
and the evening comes, 
the busy world is hushed, 
the fever of life is over, 
and our work is done. 
Then, Lord, in your mercy, 
grant us a safe lodging, 
a holy rest, 
and peace at last; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

Soul of Christ,
sanctify me.
Body of Christ,
save me.
Blood of Christ,
refresh me.
Water from the side of Christ,
wash me.
Suffering of Christ,
strengthen me.
O dear Jesus,
hear me.
Within your wounds
hide me.
And in your love
embrace me.
From the evil of the enemy
defend me.
In the hour of my death,
call me
to come to you.
Call me,
that I may praise you with your saints
in all eternity. 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