If It Bears Fruit

Gathered Up in Jesus

Third Sunday in Lent, Year C

The Christ who gathers us up invites us to live a life of fruitfulness. That’s the call hidden in our text for this week. The text starts with questions about blame, about getting what is deserved. Jesus wants to change the conversation. Like a poem from Mary Oliver, he is asking us “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

The season of Lent this year centers on surrendering ourselves and allowing to be gathered up in Jesus as we journey through these forty days. It’s a time of introspection and reality checks, while we also hope for a future where we will be nurtured and held in the arms of Jesus. Jesus tells us how he wants to gather us up, like a mother hen gathers her brood. He wants us to claim him, to run to him, to be loved and cared for by him. But this is not to avoid the Lenten examination. Rather, it is to be able to endure it. Following are some ideas for music for this series to enhance and complement the readings. It’s a long worship series; and often it helps to have one or two theme songs that you can use in a variety of ways in worship to keep it interesting.

Abbreviations:

  • The Faith We Sing - TFWS
  • United Methodist Hymnal - UMH
  • Worship and Song - W&S

Theme Song Suggestions:

Service Music Suggestions:

  • “Jesu Tawa Pano” TFWS 2273
  • “On Eagle’s Wings” UMH 143
  • “Jesus, Remember Me” UMH 488

Third Sunday in Lent - If It Bears Fruit

  • “Lift Every Voice and Sing” UMH 519
  • “Amazing Grace” UMH 378
  • “God the Sculptor of the Mountains” TFWS 2060
  • “God of Grace and God of Glory” UMH 577
  • “The Potter’s Hand”

In This Series...


Ash Wednesday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes First Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Second Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Third Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Maundy Thursday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Good Friday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes

Colors


  • Purple

In This Series...


Ash Wednesday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes First Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Second Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Third Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Maundy Thursday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes Good Friday, Year C - Lectionary Planning Notes