Together in Lent 1. Daily readings from the Psalms and John’s Gospel 2. Weekly prayers to use 3. Use the CPAS ‘Encouragement to Praise’ for 30 days 4. Livestream service on a Wednesday night at 7.30 pm from 17 th February through to Easter Sunday. 5. Lent Project: Baby Basics in Belfast – Items to be brought to the church or office from Sunday 14 th March: For baby: Moses basket, sheets for the basket, baby baths, sponges and lotion for a baby, nappy sacks, cotton wool. For mum: face cloths, toothpaste & single packed toothbrush, hand soap, shower gel & shampoo, maternity & sanitary pads, breast pads. Monetary donations are also accepted. 6. Take something up for the 40 days…walk, pray, give, send a letter, sing, be creative, use the attached Together @ Home Lent Resource as a family …be intentional to walk close to Jesus 7. Connect in to Connor Diocese’s Facebook Page for Bishop George’s Series of Lent Talks entitled “Faith in the Tough Times.” Each talk will be available on Wednesday mornings during Lent. 8. Books to purchase from the Good Book Company by Tim Chester: An Ocean of Grace, The Beauty of the Cross, The Glory of the Cross ReLENTless Prayer 2021 Bless us Heavenly Father over these forty days of Lent as we join to offer you relentless praise and prayer. Be near those suffering from Covid-19, comfort those bereaved, grant wisdom, rest, and strength to all N.H.S staff. Inspire those working to create and produce vaccines, may this not just be about money but meeting human need throughout the world. May there be harmony, good working, trust, and honesty among political leaders. We ask You to renew our vision for Your church and show us fresh ways to share the good news of Christ in these days of pandemic. Strengthen the church universal to meet the days to come. Forgive us when we focus on our wants rather than Your command to love our neighbour, even those who disagree with our beliefs or have different values than us. Help us to play our part in healing past hurts within our communities so that people can fulfil their God given potential physically and mentally in their homes or through opportunities for education. Guide our thoughts, our praise, and our prayers, uniting us in Your name until we see our Risen Lord. Amen. ReLENTless Lent 2021 – Core Prayer Topics *Family Life – strengthening during the pandemic. *Mental Health – for those struggling with Lockdown and its affects. *Good working and relationships in government. * the N.H.S and all who work in it. * those suffering illness, bereavement, and loss due to Covid-19. *Local Schools – safe education for our children. *Peace and Reconciliation. *Local Businesses – that they can survive these times. *Growth in good neighbourliness amongst Christian Churches and Communities. *Renewal and revival of our churches. Lectionary Readings, each with a brief thought, and the Collects throughout Lent follow on the remaining pages in this booklet. We hope you find these useful in refreshing and nourishing your soul as you journey through Lent with Jesus. Wednesday 17th February – Ash Wednesday Psalm 51, Matthew 6: 1-6 & 16-21 Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 18th February Psalm 25 I lift my soul to the Lord John 1: 29-34 The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world 19th February Psalm 39 Rebuked and disciplined John 1: 35-42 They spent that day with Jesus 20th February Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? John 1: 43-51 Come and see Jesus Sunday 21st February, Lent 1 Psalm 119: 17-32 & Mark 1: 9-15 Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: Give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 22nd February Psalm 26 Clear my name, O Lord as I walk in your truth John 2: 1-12 How did Jesus reveal his glory by turning water into wine? 23rd February Psalm 56 In a tight corner! Hope? John 2: 13-22 Why did Jesus clear the Temple? 24th February Psalm 3 God is a shield John 2: 23 – 3: 15 Born again or born from above! 25th February Psalm 124 The Lord is on our side John 3: 16-21 Meditate on verse 16, “For God SO loved the world….” 26th February Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry to the Lord John 3: 22-36 He must become greater; I must become less 27th February Psalm 119: 1-8 Blessed…walk according to the law of the Lord John 4: 1-26 Worshipping in spirit and truth Sunday 28th February, Lent 2 Psalm 22: 23-31 & Mark 8: 31-38 Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth that they may return to the way of righteousness: Grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 1st March Psalm 38 Do not forsake me John 4: 27-42 One sows and another reaps 2nd March Psalm 90 Teach us to number our days John 4: 43-54 Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe 3rd March Psalm 27 Whom shall I fear, when the Lord is my light and salvation? John 5: 1-18 Do you want to get well? 4th March Psalm 69 In the deep waters John 5: 19-29 The Father loves the Son 5th March Psalm 31 A rock and fortress John 5: 30-47 You study the scriptures diligently 6th March Psalm 102 Do not hide your face God from me when I am in distress John 7: 1-13 My time is not yet come, says Jesus Sunday 7th March, Lent 3 Psalm 19 & John 2: 13-22 Merciful Lord, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 8th March Psalm 6 A soul in deep anguish John 7: 14-36 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly 9th March Psalm 84 Yearning to be in God’s presence John 7: 37-52 Whoever believes in Jesus, rivers of living water will flow from within them 10th March Psalm 147: 13-21 God’s provision and yet he speaks in creation as well John 8: 12-20 Jesus is the Light of the World 11th March Psalm 95 Sing for Joy to the Lord John 8: 21-32 The truth will set you FREE 12th March Psalm 32 Blessed because we are forgiven by God John 8: 33-47 If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed 13th March Psalm 107: 1-3 & 13-21 Give thanks to the Lord John 8: 47-59 Jesus is greater than Abraham, the I Am Sunday 14th March, Lent 4, Mothering Sunday Psalm 34: 11-20 & Luke 2: 33-35 God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen 15th March Psalm 30 Those who trust in the LORD will never be shaken. John 6: 1-15 Jesus’ earthly provision points to His eternal provision. 16th March Psalm 46 “Be still and know that I am God.” John 6: 16-27 What motivates us when following Jesus? 17th March, St Patrick’s Day Psalm 106: 1-5 God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good! John 4: 31-38 Spiritual nourishment is there for all who are active in fulfilling the Lord’s will. 18th March Psalm 102 Generations come and go, but the Lord endures for ever and ever. John 6: 41-51 Jesus is the Bread of Life! 19th March Psalm 112 Who are the righteous who are freely generous, with no fear, and never shaken? John 6: 52-59 What does it mean to feed on Jesus? 20th March Psalm 90 “Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” John 6: 60-71 In light of this passage, how would you define faith, and where does it come from? Sunday 21st March, Lent 5 Psalm 34 & John 12: 20-33 Lord God whose blessed Son our Saviour gave his back to the smiters and did not hide his face from shame: Give us grace to endure the sufferings of this present time with sure confidence in the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 22nd March Psalm 73 A song lyric: ‘It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You Lord.’ John 9: 1-17 Jesus is the Light of the world. 23rd March Psalm 122 Turn this psalm into a prayer for peace and prosperity for our communities. John 9: 18-41 Jesus came to bring sight to the spiritually blind. 24th March Psalm 55 Feeling anxious, agitated, confused, troubled? Then cast your cares upon the Lord. John 10: 1-18 Jesus is the Good Shepherd: He knows you and loves you more than you know! 25th March Psalm 111 Read and meditate on this psalm and use it to ignite praises to God in your heart! John 10: 22-42 Pause and take in the full significance of Jesus’ words in this stunning confrontation with His Jewish opponents. 26th March Psalm 69 A psalm of deep, deep anguish, crying out to God in prayerful surrender. John 11: 1-27 Jesus is at work but Mary, Martha and others don’t see it. In what ways is He at work today? 27th March Psalm 23 Make time to rest with the Lord in study of His word, in prayer, and in praise. John 11: 28-44 What words could you use to describe the glory of God as revealed in Jesus Christ? Sunday 28th March, Palm Sunday Psalm 118: 1-2 & 19-29 & John 12: 19-29 God of all, you gave your only-begotten Son to take the form of a servant, and to be obedient even to death on a cross; give us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that, sharing in his humility, we may come to be with him in his glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Monday 29th March Psalm 36: 5-11 God’s character is infinitely beyond our words or thoughts. Praise Him!! John 12: 1-11 Mary sets a vivid example of costly love and devotion to Jesus. Tuesday 30th March Psalm 71: 1-14 Challenges may come his way, but psalmist still determined to “praise God more and more.” John 12: 20-36 Following the crucified Christ is costly. Who are we bringing glory to? Wednesday 31st March Psalm 70 Notice how the psalmist’s prayer is for others. John 13: 21-32 Imagine how the disciples would’ve felt hearing this revelation from Jesus. Thursday 1st April Psalm 116: 1, 10-17 What can you do to bring your praise and worship to God this day? John 13: 1-17 & 31b-35 Foot-washing was lowly job. What might this sort of loving service look like today? Friday 2nd April, Good Friday Psalm 22 Pain, anguish, suffering – how do we respond when faced with adversity? John 18: 1 – 19: 42 It is FINISHED! – Jesus has paid ransom to heal, restore and forgive us. Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and given up into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross; who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Saturday 3rd April Psalm 31: 1-4 & 15-16 A psalm of TOTAL TRUST in the unwavering love of God. John 19: 38-42 Can you imagine how these two disciples must’ve felt placing Jesus’ dead body in the tomb? Sunday 4th April, Easter Sunday Psalm 118 & John 20: 1-18 Almighty God, through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ you have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Monday 5th April Psalm 2 Turmoil in the world but God is on the throne John 14: 1-14 Jesus, the way and the truth and the LIFE Tuesday 6th April Psalm 63 Sustained by God when thirsty, in the sanctuary and on his bed John 14: 15-31 Another “advocate” – who helps us and is with us Wednesday 8th April Psalm 57 Refuge in the shadow of God’s wings John 15: 1-11 Remain in Jesus to bear fruit Thursday 9th April Psalm 30 Wailing turned into dancing John 15: 12-27 Greater love is laying down your life for others Friday 10th April Psalm 29 Power and majesty and splendour and authority belong to the Lord. John 16: 1-15 The Holy Spirit – convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgement Saturday 11th April Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, o my soul John 16: 16-33 Grief will turn to joy