Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1661–1669.

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke 15:1-3 and 11b-32. Here, Jesus is criticized by the local religious authorities for eating and drinking with supposedly undesirably people. In response, Jesus tells what is often referred to as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son”. If you can, read the passage before the service.  Today is the Fourth Sunday in the season of Lent, sometimes referred to in Latin as “Laetere Sunday” meaning “Rejoice.” It represents a respite from the penitence of the Lenton season that marks Jesus’ journey to the cross and spiritual preparation for Easter.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1661–1669.

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke 15:1-3 and 11b-32. Here, Jesus is criticized by the local religious authorities for eating and drinking with supposedly undesirably people. In response, Jesus tells what is often referred to as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son”. If you can, read the passage before the service.  Today is the Fourth Sunday in the season of Lent, sometimes referred to in Latin as “Laetere Sunday” meaning “Rejoice.” It represents a respite from the penitence of the Lenton season that marks Jesus’ journey to the cross and spiritual preparation for Easter.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Luke 13:1-9

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke, 13:1-9. Here, Jesus has just answered questions regarding the “last judgment,” a time where the world is set right and all are held account. He uses the parable of the fig tree (see cover) to communicate the urgency of embracing the good news to experience fullness of life here and now.  It is the Third Sunday in the season of Lent, the forty day season marking Jesus’ journey to the cross and spiritual preparation for Easter. During Lent, churches focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, turning away from our failures and brokenness as a way to open ourselves to God’s grace.

Luke 13:1-9

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke, 13:1-9. Here, Jesus has just answered questions regarding the “last judgment,” a time where the world is set right and all are held account. He uses the parable of the fig tree (see cover) to communicate the urgency of embracing the good news to experience fullness of life here and now.  It is the Third Sunday in the season of Lent, the forty day season marking Jesus’ journey to the cross and spiritual preparation for Easter. During Lent, churches focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, turning away from our failures and brokenness as a way to open ourselves to God’s grace.

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke, 13:31-35. Here, Jesus has set his face towards Jerusalem, the Holiest City, but is warned that Herod (the king) plans to kill him. Nonetheless, Jesus continues in his mission and resolve to reach the city, even though it has a reputation for killing prophets like himself. 

This is the Second Sunday in the season of Lent, the forty day season marking Jesus’ journey to the cross and spiritual preparation for Easter. During Lent, churches focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, turning away from our failures and brokenness as a way to open ourselves to God’s grace. The liturgical colour for Lent is purple, signifying repentance and is the colour of royalty.

Luke 13:31-35

Luke 4:1-13

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke, 4:1-13, the Temptation of Jesus. Immediately following his baptism, Jesus is driven in to the wilderness by God’s Spirit. There he fasts for 40 days and nights. In the desert and hungry, Jesus is tempted by Satan, meaning “the adversary” or “the accuser.” Jesus resists each temptation by responding with words from the Hebrew Scriptures.  

Sunday, February 14th, is the First Sunday in the season of Lent, remembering Jesus’ 40 days (excluding Sundays) in the wilderness and the time of spiritual preparation for Easter. During Lent, churches focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, turning away from our failures and brokenness as a way to open ourselves to God’s grace.

The focus reading is from the Good News According to Luke, 9:28-43a. Words, music and prayers are all themed around this passage. Referred to as the Transfiguration this story depicts Jesus and three disciples going up to a mountain to pray. There, they encounter the figures of Moses and Elijah, two key figures from the Old Testament.  There they glimpse God’s full presence in Jesus.  The service is the Fifth and final Sunday in the Season of Epiphany,

Luke 9:28-43a

* PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST FEW MINUTES ARE NOT VERY AUDIBLE BUT IT DOES GET BETTER