In Lent 2020 we will again move slightly off the Revised Common Lectionary to consider on Sundays those readings from Isaiah’s ‘Servant cycle’ which appear in the readings for Holy Week. While these readings are heard in congregations which observe a full Holy Week service cycle, they are not often preached on there. The readings also appear in other parts of the three year lectionary cycle but not as a group.

These readings are concerned with God’s intention to reconcile Israel to Godself through a chosen and somewhat mysterious ‘servant’. For this reason the servant songs have been an important element in Christian interpretation of the work of Jesus.

Preparing for the series

For an introduction to chapters 40-55 of Isaiah — so-called ‘Second Isaiah’ — within which the servant songs are found, see the first few paragraphs Anna Grant-Henderson’s commentary page here.

A video/audio introduction to Second Isaiah and the servant songs by Christine Hayes can be found here. This lecture covers also Ezekiel; the material on Second Isaiah begins at 31:58 and the material on the servant songs at 38:00

Another useful online video source is Sandra Richter’s general account of Second Isaiah (including the songs) here.

If you’re interested in a commentary on the Songs, Walter Brueggeman’s comment on Second (and Third) Isaiah is both accessible and solid. Available in hard copy and electronically via Amazon and other sources. Some online commentary for each passage is also indicated below.

The focus texts for the series will be as follows:

• Sunday March 1 (Lent 1) Isaiah 42:1-9; See Howard Wallace’s commentary on this text here or Anna Grant-Henderson’s here. SERMON 1: On seeing what is there
• Sunday March 15 (Lent 3) Isaiah 49:1-7; See Howard Wallace’s commentary on this text here or Anna Grant-Henderson’s here.
• Sunday March 22 (Lent 4) Isaiah 50:4-9a; See Howard Wallace’s commentary on this text here or Anna Grant-Henderson’s here.
• Sunday March 29 (Lent 5) Isaiah 52:13-53:12; See Howard Wallace’s commentary on this text here or Anna Grant-Henderson’s here.

1. Our series on the prophet Jonah continues this Sunday, moving to chapter 4. See here for more information on the series.
2. Details of our Lenten Studies for this year are now posted here; there are presently three groups in place for these studies in Nth Melbourne, the city and Hawthorn. It will help if you indicate which of the groups you’d like to attend via the registration page. Another great little Lenten devotional resource which might interest you is Walter Brueggemann’s, A Way other than Our Own: Devotions for Lent.
3. We are pleased to welcome Br Peter Bray back to Melbourne to speak more on the work of Bethlehem University; this time his public address in Melbourne will be jointly sponsored by Wesley Uniting Church (and the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network), and hosted at Wesley at 630pm on Monday February 23. See the flyer here.
4. Most recent eNews from the Yarra Yarra Presbytery (Feb 3)
5. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster.

1. Our series on the prophet Jonah continues this Sunday, jumping to chapter 3. In addition to looking at chapter 3 before Sunday, read also the book of Nahum (only three chapters!) for background on Jonah’s distaste for Nineveh! See here for more information on the series.
2. Details of our Lenten Studies for this year are now posted here; there are presently three groups in place for these studies in Nth Melbourne, the city and Hawthorn. Another great little Lenten devotional resource which might interest you is Walter Brueggemann’s, A Way other than Our Own: Devotions for Lent.
3. We are pleased to welcome Br Peter Bray back to Melbourne to speak more on the work of Bethlehem University; this time his public address in Melbourne will be jointly sponsored by Wesley Uniting Church (and the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network), and hosted at Wesley at 630pm on Monday February 24. See the flyer here.

Other things of interest

1. Welcome to the first MtE update for 2020!
2. This Sunday we’ll commence a short series on the prophet Jonah — a 3-4 week fill-in before Transfiguration and the beginning of Lent. See here for more information.
3. A reminder that our Lenten Studies for this year have been set in place, with time, details are now posted here; there are presently three groups in place for these studies in Nth Melbourne, the city and Hawthorn. Another great little Lenten devotional resource which might interest you is Walter Brueggemann’s, A Way other than Our Own: Devotions for Lent.

Other things of interest

1. The following information about an asylum-seeker appeal is may be of interest to some: Operation Not Forgotten; Why it is needed.

Old News

1. 12th ISCAST Conference on Science and Christianity, July 2020

1. THIS Sunday December 22 will follow the fashion of Advent 4 services at MtE in recent years — a cycle of advent carols and readings featuring our cantors and choristers.
2. CHRISTMAS DAY service: 930am, with Eucharist
3. Keep yourself up to date with Hotham Mission via its website; it is possible also to donate to the HM Christmas Appeal via the web site.
4. If you want to make sure you get your book for next year’s Lenten Studies(!) in time, details are now posted here. Another great little Lenten devotional resource which might interest you is Walter Brueggemann’s, A Way other than Our Own: Devotions for Lent.

Old News

1. 12th ISCAST Conference on Science and Christianity, July 2020

Advance Dates

1. Sunday December 22 – Advent Readings and Carols (with Eucharist)
2. Christmas Day – 9.30am service (with Eucharist)

1. Sunday December 22 will follow the fashion of Advent 4 services at MtE in recent years — a cycle of advent carols and readings featuring our cantors and choristers.
2. CHRISTMAS DAY service: 930am, with Eucharist
3. THIS SUNDAY December 15: the RCL readings for Advent 3A are here, with some online commentary available here. These weekly commentary resources now include a link to the new lectionary  podcasts from the Synod’s Centre for Theology and Ministry

Other things of interest

1. 12th ISCAST Conference on Science and Christianity, July 2020

Advance Dates

1. Sunday December 22 – Advent Readings and Carols (with Eucharist)
2. Christmas Day – 9.30am service (with Eucharist)