5th Sunday of Lent

 

Verse for the Week: Matthew 20:28
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Call to Worship: Psalm 24
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.
3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing
and have a right relationship with God their savior.
6 Such people may seek you
and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.
7 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.
9 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
10 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Hosts—he is the King of glory. 
1 大地和其中的一切都屬於上主;世界和世上的居民也屬於他。2他把大地奠立在海洋上,把地的根基安置在江河上。3 誰有權攀登上主的山?誰可以進入他的聖殿?4 就是那手潔心清,不拜偶像,不發假誓的人。5 上主要賜福給這樣的人;拯救他的上帝要宣判他為無罪。6 這樣的人來尋找上帝,來到了的上帝面前。7 大門哪,敞開吧!古老的門戶啊,開放吧!偉大的君王就要進來了。8 這偉大的君王是誰呢?他就是堅強有力的上主;他是戰無不勝的上主。9 大門哪,敞開吧!古老的門戶啊,開放吧!偉大的君王就要進來了。10 這偉大的君王是誰呢?上主─萬軍的統帥就是偉大的君王!
Lenten Verse: Psalm 43:1–2a
1 Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against ungodly people. Rescue me from unjust liars. 2 For you are God, my only safe haven.
1 上帝啊,求你宣判我無罪,為我向不虔的人民辯護;求你救我脫離詭詐邪惡的人。2 你是庇護我的上帝

Lenten Reading 9: Luke 23:33–34. Jesus is crucified
33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to a cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
33 他們到一個地方,叫「髑髏岡」,在那裏把耶穌釘在十字架上,同時又釘了兩個囚犯,一個在他右邊,一個在他左邊。34 耶穌說:「父親哪,赦免他們,因為他們不曉得自己在做甚麼。」他們抽籤分了耶穌的衣服。Lenten Reading 10: Luke 23:39–43. Jesus welcomes a sinner
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”39 兩個跟他同釘的囚犯,有一個開口侮辱他說:「你不是基督嗎?救救你自己,也救救我們吧!」40 另外一個卻責備那囚犯說:「你同樣受刑,你就不怕上帝嗎?41 我們受刑是活該;我們所受的不正是我們該得的報應嗎?但是這人並沒有做過一件壞事。」42 於是他對耶穌說:「耶穌啊,你作王臨到的時候,求你記得我!」43 耶穌對他說:「我告訴你,今天你要跟我一起在樂園裏。」Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1–4a, 29–32
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3 As surely as I live,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4 For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is unfair.’ O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn away from all your offenses; otherwise sin will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the offenses that you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O people of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone,” says the Lord God. “Turn, then, and live!”

1 上主對我說話;2 他說:「以色列境內流傳的這句俗語是甚麼意思呢?他們說:父親吃了酸葡萄,兒子的牙齒酸倒了。」3 至高的上主這樣說:「我指著我永恆的生命發誓:以色列境內絕不再流傳這句俗語。4 每一個人的生命都是我的;無論是父母或兒女的生命都屬於我。 29 以色列人哪,你們說:『主這樣做是不對的!』你們以為我的做法不對嗎?其實,你們的做法才不對!30 「所以,以色列人哪,我─至高的上主這樣告訴你們:我要照你們各人的行為審判你們。你們要悔過,離開邪惡的道路,免得你們的罪毀滅你們。31 要拋棄你們所做的一切壞事,換一個新的心、新的靈!以色列人哪,何必死亡呢?32 我不願意任何人死亡。你們改過就會存活。」至高的上主這樣宣佈了。