Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the two sons. Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel contains three interconnected narratives, concerning the one lost sheep (from a field of one hundred), the one lost coin (from a set of ten), and the one lost son (from a family of two). Each narrative concluded with invitation to celebrate because what was lost has been found. Yet there is an added twist to the narrative of the lost son, because his brother refused to join the celebration.

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of homecoming. In today’s picture from his book, Hide and Seek, Teddy Horsley is delighted to have been found and to have been welcomed back home.  
Lord Jesus Christ, 
when we are lost, 
you welcome us back home with you. 
Inspire us to follow your example, 
and to welcome all who turn to you, 
for with you everyone is welcome, 
now and always. 
Amen. 

Next week, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus being anointed, prefiguring his death. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is cemetery. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

​Today is the Third Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the barren fig tree. God looks for proper fruit from the people of God, just as the owner of a fig tree looks for fruit from that tree.  The gardener gives the fig tree one more chance by nurturing it.  So Jesus gives the people of God one more chance.  Here is one of Luke’s distinctive images of Jesus’ Messiahship of which we are reminded during Lent. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of gardening. In today’s picture from his book, Explorer, Teddy Horsley is busy in his garden taking care of the plants.  



Lord Jesus Christ, 
you look for fruit from your people. 
shape our lives with your care and love, 
that you may not be disappointed by the fruit we bear; 
for you are our God. 
Amen. 


Next week, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the two sons. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is homecoming. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. 

Today is the Second Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading begins to prepare us for Holy Week and Good Friday. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem has particular power and poignancy as the place in which he will meet his death.  In this passage Jesus sets his own impending death in the context of the prophets who have been killed in Jerusalem.  There is also an elliptical reference to the third day on which Jesus finishes his work.  The third day is the day of resurrection. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of crucifix. In today’s picture from his website, Teddy at Bangor Cathedral, Teddy Horsley gazes at the Rood hanging above the choir screen. The Rood portrays Jesus on the cross, with Mary his mother on one side and one of his disciples on the other side.    


Lord Jesus Christ, 
for you the cross of shame 
became the cross of glory. 
Give us grace to follow in the way of the cross, 
that we may share in your resurrection life; 
for your name’s sake. 
Amen. 
Next week, the Third  Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the barren fig tree. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is gardening. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today is the First Sunday of Lent. All three synoptic Gospels portray Jesus’ ministry beginning with a period of forty days in the wilderness tempted by Satan.  Both Matthew and Luke describe three of the temptations experienced.  Each of these three temptations challenges Jesus to adopt a model of Messiahship which would win power and wide public appeal, and not lead to the inevitable cross on Good Friday.  In the second of the temptations described by Luke (the third in Matthew’s order) Jesus contemplates the opportunity of commanding worldly fame and power. 
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of celebrities. In today’s picture from his book, Music Makers, Teddy Horsley feels that he too has become a celebrity with his performance on the drums.   
 
Lord Jesus Christ, 
you never followed false gods. 
Keep us loyal to our faith in you, 
that we may never give to others 
the worship due to you; 
now and always. 
Amen. 
Next week, the Second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading begins to prepare us for Holy Week and Good Friday. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is crucifix. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  ​