The earth and all its peoples
How good and lovely it is
To join hands in unity
Love and faith come together
Justice and Peace join hands
If the Lords disciples keep silent
These very stones would shout aloud
God open our lips
And our mouths shall show forth your praise
Song “Said Judas to Mary”
Prayer for Gods help
Make me a clean heart
And renew a right Spirit within me
Give us again our joy
The Lord’s Prayer in your own language
Reading John 12v1-11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Prayers for people and situations you are concerned about.
Ending with…May they not fail you, nor we fail them Amen
A Song “Forty days and forty nights”
Prayer
O Christ the master carpenter who through wood and nails purchased our salvation, wield well your tools in the workshop of your world so that we who come rough hewn to your bench may be fashioned to a truer beauty of your hand. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Closing Responses
This is the day that God has made
We will rejoice and be glad in it
We will not offer to God offerings that count as nothing
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
We will seek peace and pursue it.
Amen
© Iona Community adapted