CALL TO WORSHIP

L:             The sweet fragrance of perfume filled the air as Mary of Bethany annointed the feet of Jesus with her hair. She worshipped Christ with all of who she was.  

All:          We worship God with all of who we are

L:             The worship of Christ upset some of Jesus followers. Mary of Bethany worshipped anyway with love and all her heart. 

All:           We worship God with all of who we are

L:             Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Jesus. Let us worship a risen saviour this day.  

P:            We worship God with all of who we are. Amen 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

L: The Cammeraygal people are the original custodians of the land on which our church stands. The Cammeraygals were spiritual leaders amongst the Indigenous clans of Sydney. 

All: We pay our respects to their Elders: past and present. 

We commit to walking respectfully in this country, and to journeying with them in their quest for justice and reconciliation.

Third Sunday of Lent: When We Think We’ve Gone Far Enough 

Sometimes we think we’ve done enough for others, or we’ve done as much as we can. We focus on ourselves, on our own salvation, on our own needs being met. When we focus on ourselves, often we find we aren’t satisfied, especially when we use the measures of the world. We strive for more things, and we are never filled. Jesus calls us to strive for the reign of God, for heavenly treasures, and to become last of all and servant of all. Where do you need to turn away from the ways of the world, and turn back to God’s ways? As we light the third candle, reflect on how the measures of worldly success have held you back. 

(light the third candle)
Prayer:

Light of the World, show us Your ways. Remind us that we are helping to build up the reign of God on earth as it is in heaven. In this season of Lent, may we leave the measures of worldly success behind and cling to the reign of God, and live into God’s ways of love and justice. Light of the World, remind us that we, Your children, are loved and valued far beyond all worldly riches. Amen. 

SONG  

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God unparalleled love, Mary of Bethany came to Jesus and anointed his feet with perfume. 

Her hair draping Jesus feet as she loved him before the crucifixion. 

We confess to  being more like Judas than Mary. 

We pray for peace over our insecurities. We pray that would call in instead of calling out.  

Amen 

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS – Alex

One:        Hear the Good News: Mary of Bethany shows love flows from forgiveness. Start by forgiving yourself. 

All:          Thanks be to God. Amen  

SONG   

SCRIPTURE READINGS 

Matthew 26: 6-13

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

⁶ While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

SECOND READING 

Luke 24:1-12

The Resurrection of Jesus

¹ But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they went in they did not find the body. ⁴ While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. ⁵ The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. 

⁶ Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” ⁸ Then they remembered his words, ⁹ and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 

¹⁰ Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

¹² But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

For the word of God in scripture 

For the Word of God among us 

For the Word of God within us 

We say, Thanks be to God!

MESSAGE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

Join with me in the prayers of the people. When I say Lord in Your mercy, you are invited to respond hear our prayer. 

Let us pray 

God of Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene. We pray for women who take bold action in Jesus name. May we show extravagant love for times such as this. 

Lord in Your mercy

Hear our prayer

We give thanks that Mary Magdalene was one of the first people to preach the Gospel of the risen Christ. We pray for similar courage to share the good news even when everyone around us is skeptical. 

Lord in Your mercy

Hear our prayer

We pray for our world. That God would wake us up to take courage in troubled times. That no matter how dark things get all believers would be a source of hope for all. 

Lord in Your mercy

Hear our prayer

We pray for the Uniting Church. We give thanks that we share a common bond with all Christians. We pray for dividing lines to be melted away and for our ministry to be relevant to the needs of today. 

Lord in Your mercy

Hear our prayer

Finally we pray for all with anxious hearts. For all who feel overwhelmed by life’s anxieties. For all who have so much worry in their hearts. We pray for the peace of God that surpasses all understanding to live with in us. 

We ask these things as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us in the language of our hearts. 

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. 

Save us from the time of trial 

   and deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours 

   now and for ever. Amen.

OFFERING

BLESSING

L:         The God who empowered Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene is empowering you today. Go and be sent to love boldly and to share the good news and if needed use words. 

All:       We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, 

           In the name of Christ. Amen.   

SONG