“Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts.” This Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday and is a Sunday of joy: A small Easter during Lent already. Lent is half over, and Easter is enticingly near. This Sunday is called “Laetare Sunday” since its mood and theme was one of hope and rejoicing that Easter was near.

The readings for this Sunday are:

• Old Testament:       Isaiah 54:7-10
• The Epistle:            2.Corinthians 1:3-7
• The Gospel:            John 12:20-26

The liturgical colour for this time of lent is purple.

Watchword: Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (Joh 12:24 NIV)

Collect: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)