Today Is: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Collect for: Fifth Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Ezekiel 37:1-14

1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' So I answered, 'O Lord GOD, You know.' 4 Again He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.' ' ' 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9 Also He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.' ' ' 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,' says the LORD.' '

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. 3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning -- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament
Romans 8:8-11

8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
John 11:18-27

Introduction to the Gospel:
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 11, beginning at verse 18.

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.' 23 Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' 24 Martha said to Him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' 25 Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?' 27 She said to Him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'

After the Gospel reading, the deacon can elevate the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People for: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Brothers and sisters, since we have been given the Spirit of Christ, we belong to God.  As such, we have the right and the responsibility to pray for all those in need.

Therefore, let us bring our requests before Him. For the Church, that She will be the light of Christ to a lost and dying world.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For nations ravaged by poverty, sickness, and war, that they will be delivered from their oppression.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those incapacitated or tormented by fear, that the peace of God will indwell them richly.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those Christians who are persecuted for their faith.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those preparing for Baptism and Confirmation, that they will be empowered to live out their faith boldly.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit and His Gifts upon His people.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

For those who have lost loved ones, that they will be comforted by the One who said 'I am the Resurrection and the Life'.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Father in heaven, just as Martha acknowledged to Jesus that You would give Him whatever He asked of You.  So also, hear and answer our prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN