Sunday 6 March, 2016

4th Sunday in Lent

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

For Mothering Sunday suggestions, see below. Alternative Mothering Sunday resources and additional hymns. See also: resources produced for All We Can’s Inspirational Women Appeal 2016 .

Joshua 5: 9-12

Here, on the threshold of a new beginning (StF 684)
You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488)

Also consider hymns for Harvest e.g. Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise (StF 127); To thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise (StF 129)

Psalm 32

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Jesus – the name high over all (StF 357)
Thou hidden source of calm repose (StF 366)
Your ceaseless, unexhausted love unmerited and free (StF 438)

2 Corinthians 5: 16-21

Come and see, come and see (StF 270)
‘Forgive our sins as we forgive,’ you taught us, Lord, to pray (StF 423)
I am a new creation, no more in condemnation (StF 553)
Love divine, all loves excelling (StF 503)
When I was lost you rescued me (StF 367)

Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32

Bread of Life, Truth Eternal, broken now to set us free (StF 578)
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love (StF 443)
Come, my table is a meeting place (StF 581)
Empty, broken, here I stand, Kyrie eleison (StF 421)
Father we have sinned in word, and deed, and thought (StF 422)
Hark my soul! It is the Lord (StF 426)
Now I have found the ground wherein sure my soul’s anchor may remain (StF 561)
Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast (StF 598)

Or for Mothering Sunday

Exodus 2: 1-10

Best of all is God is with us (StF 610)
*He’s got the whole world in his hand (StF 536)

or 1 Samuel 1: 20-28

God of Eve and God of Mary (StF 119)
Lord, in our lonely hours (StF 616)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186)

Psalm 34: 11-20

God, beyond our dreams, you have stirred in us a memory (StF 496)
*Sing praise to God who reigns above (StF 117)

or Psalm 127: 1-4

Sacred the body God has created (StF 618)

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7

Earth’s creator, everyday God (StF 45)
*He’s got the whole world in his hand (StF 536)
Lord, I come before your throne of grace (StF 58)
*Sing praise to God who reigns above (StF 117)
We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (StF 640)

or Colossians 3: 12-17

All praise to our redeeming Lord (StF 608)
As we gather in your presence now (StF 609)
*God grant us words to speak (StF 647)
God with us: Creator, Father (StF 8)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour (StF 504)

Luke 2: 33-35

Eternal God, you love’s tremendous glory (StF 3)
Father I place into your hands the things I cannot do (StF 519)
For the beauty of the earth (StF102)
Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us (StF 594)
Mary and Joseph came to the Temple (StF 229)
* Remembering Mary (website only)
*Through long years of watchful waiting (StF 232)

(Also see our notes on the festival of Candlemas , which marks the bringing of Jesus to the temple for baptism.)

or John 19: 25-27

*God grant us words to speak (StF 647)
* Remembering Mary (website only)
*Through long years of watchful waiting (StF 232)
We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)