Mender of Broken Walls: 2022 Lenten Sermon Seeds Series
“They will rebuild ancient ruins
Isaiah 58:12 CEB
On your account;
The foundations of generations past
You will restore.
You will be called
Mender of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Livable Streets.”
Nestled between two joyous seasons of the Christian calendar, Lent takes us into the valley, into broken spaces, and into dry places. Yet, this season offers its own perspective of hope. Lent invites us into the deep work required for restoration to take place. We remember that demolition often proceeds building and strong structures need sure foundations.
Lent calls us to reflection and evaluation, but it also calls us to action. Some of us may fast from certain things or behaviors while others may intentionally pursue a new thing or way of being. Whatever we do, we may hear the voice of God beckoning us toward the kingdom and empowering us to embody the good news, to be agents of hope, restoration, and repair and to embrace life abundantly. We turn our attention to the brokenness, but not as an artifact of a fallen past but a summons to compassion…as mendors of broken walls.
“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves…What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.”
Catherine Doherty
Lenten Scripture and Themes: “Mender of Broken Walls”
March 2, 2022 (Ash Wednesday): Isaiah 58:1-12 “Mender of Broken Walls”
March 6, 2022: Luke 4:1-13 “Take Every Test” | Sermon Seed
March 13, 2022: Luke 13:31-35 “Finish the Work” | Sermon Seed
March 20, 2022: Luke 13:1-9 “Looking for Fruit” | Sermon Seed
March 27, 2022: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 “Come to Life” | Sermon Seed
April 3, 2022: John 12, 1-8 “Leave Her Alone” | Sermon Seed
April 10, 2022 (Palm Sunday): Luke 19, 28-40 “Shout Out” | Sermon Seed
The Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology (lindsayc@ucc.org), is a local church pastor and worship scholar-practitioner with a particular interest in the proclamation of the word in gathered communities.