This is the fourth of five Sundays in Lent before Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. This Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, which literally means “rejoice. Why rejoice? In the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke, the father tells us where joy is found: “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!”

Laetare Sunday serves as a reminder that in the midst of this long penitential season of Lent — even unto the midst of our own self-inflicted, wayward suffering — Christ came not to condemn, but to save, if only we turn to him.

Collect: Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which giveth life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Appointed Readings:

• Joshua 5:9-12
• Psalm 32
• 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
• Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Worship for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sunday 8am, Sunday 10am

About the Image

A portion of Return of the Prodigal Son (c. 1661-69), Rembrandt

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