John 12:1-8 | Of all the five senses, the sense of smell is often quite powerful. Whether a pleasant aroma, or something that turns up your nose, one scent has the power to convey an array of emotions and bring back a host of memories. Within our Gospel passage, Mary pours out a pound of perfume onto Jesus’ feet as an act of love, thanksgiving, and mourning as she prepares Jesus for his coming passion and death. But juxtaposed against this scent of love is the scent of betrayal, jealousy, and looming violence as Judas reacts against Mary’s worshipful act. As we, too, prepare for Jesus’ coming passion and death, join us for worship as we are reminded of the gesture of love, thanksgiving, and mourning that we are summoned to offer to Christ – and to each other – in this coming Holy Week.
Sunday, April 3, 2022, Fourth Sunday in Lent Bulletin
Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: In the Cross of Christ I Glory. Text: John Bowring, 1792-1872. Music: Ithamar Conkey, 1815-1867. Text and Music: Public Domain. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: The Wonderful Cross. Text: Isaac Watts, J. D. Walt and Chris Tomlin. Music: Lowell Mason, Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves. Text and Music: © 2000 sixsteps Music. Covered under CCLI subscription. Offering & Communion: We Fall Down. Text and Music: Chris Tomlin. Text and Music: © 1998 sixsteps Music. Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: Lamb of God. ELW Setting. Text and music © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Christ, the Life of All the Living. Text: Ernst Christoph Homburg, 1605-1681; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt. Music: Das grosse Cantional, Darmstadt, 1687. Text and Music: Public Domain.