For 40 days leading up to Easter we prepare ourselves for the Resurrection.

Our theme this year is Everything in Between – a Lenten series in Luke’s Gospel.

Each of the 6 weeks we explore a story in Luke’s Gospel.

“intention & action” – ASH WEDNESDAY – Wednesday 5th March, 7pm
Luke 9:51-62 – (Jesus sets out for Jerusalem) The “would-be followers” (as the NRSVUE calls them) have good intentions. They want to follow Jesus, but Jesus calls them to put their money where their mouths are. Somewhere between good intentions and impulsive action lies discipleship. On Ash Wednesday, we make a commitment to align our intentions and our actions.

“stranger & neighbor” – THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT – Sunday 9th March, 10am
 Luke 10:25-37 (Parable of the Good Samaritan) This parable begins and ends with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is, surprisingly, “the stranger.” The Samaritan, whose place of worship and customs are different from the scribe who questions Jesus, is both a stranger and a neighbor to the man who was beaten and left in a ditch. In our world, many of our physical neighbors are strangers to us, and many of our neighbors—those closest to us—feel like strangers in divisive political climates. If we align our intentions and actions, then maybe we need to reconsider who we consider “stranger,” and ask ourselves if we have acted as good neighbors.

“faith & works” – THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT – Sunday 15th March, 10am
Luke 10:38-42 – (Mary & Martha host Jesus) In many translations, Jesus says that “Mary has chosen the better part,” which has been used to create a divide between Mary and Martha. However, in the Greek, Mary has chosen the “good portion,” and Martha’s tasks are called “ministry.” Therefore, perhaps Mary represents our faith, our desire to know God intimately, and Martha represents our good works, our desire to transform the world. Both are needed, and both are good.

“rest & growth” – THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT – Sunday 23rd March, 10am
Luke 13:6-9 – (Parable of the fig tree) The gardener in the vineyard knows the fig tree needs rest, nutrients, and time—and it also needs to produce fruit. Both things are true, which is also true for us. If we are always striving for more growth without taking time to rest, we will burn out. But if we are only ever resting, we won’t bear fruit or grow. The fig tree also teaches us that the in between time—of nurture before fruit—can be where transformation begins.

“lost & found” – THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT – Sunday 30th March, 10am
Luke 15:1-7 – (Parable of the Lost Sheep) Herding sheep is a never-ending task. As soon as one is found, another may go missing. Our lives have a similar ebb and flow—in one moment we might feel like we have it all together, and in the next, we’re struggling to survive. The promise of this parable is that no matter how “lost” we feel, the Good shepherd is by our side.

“righteousness & mercy“- THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT – Sunday 6th April, 10am
Luke 19:1-10 – (Zacchaeus greets Jesus) The crowds grumble at Jesus’ self-invitation to stay with Zacchaeus, and their righteous indignation isn’t without cause. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus has extorted money and acted in collusion with the empire, using his position to oppress his own people. It is important to call out oppression, and yet, Jesus offers mercy. That mercy then begets more mercy as Zacchaeus, unprompted, offers to return what he took, and then some.

“shouting & silence” PALM / PASSION SUNDAY – Sunday 13th April, 10am
Luke 19:29-40 – (Jesus enters Jerusalem) Jesus doesn’t instigate his own parade. Instead, just his quiet presence alone inspires the multitude to shout out and praise God. When the religious
leaders try to silence the crowd, Jesus tells them that the noise level isn’t the point—even the stones would cry out if they were silent. It takes wisdom
to know when our voice is needed and when it’s just noise.

“power & humility” MAUNDY THURSDAY – Thursday 17th April, 7pm
Luke 22:1-27 – (Last Supper) In his final hours, Jesus redefines power through acts of humility, including sharing a final meal with his closest friends and those who will soon betray him. After breaking bread, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus tells them that the greatest must be the least and the leader must be the servant, turning their hierarchy on its head. According to Jesus, humility is powerful, and real power is shown through humility.

“acceptance & resistance” HOLY FRIDAY – Friday 18th April, 3pm
Luke 23:32-49 – (Jesus dies alongside a penitent thief) As Jesus dies on the cross, one thief resists him and the other accepts him as Messiah. Jesus resists the empire but accepts his fate. We also are called to resist systems of power and oppression, and yet we ultimately have to accept that Jesus dies—and one day we will too. We have to discern what to accept as given and what to resist, what is “God’s will” and what is the result of our own unquestioned systems.

“grief & hope” EASTER DAY – Sunday 20th April, 10am
Luke 24:1-12 – (The women grieve and Peter runs to the tomb) Grief is a healthy response to Jesus’ death and a valid way to enter worship on Easter morning. And yet, the women at the empty tomb are given hope amidst their mourning. The other disciples don’t believe the women’s message, but Peter, living in the in-between of grief and hope, runs to the tomb to see for himself. Grieving doesn’t have to make us hopeless. Hope can compel us to take action when we are deep in grief.