prepared by Rev Rosemary Mutopo – 6th April 2025
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 126)
The Lord has done great things for us!
And we are filled with joy!
Those who sow in tears—
Will reap with shouts of joy!
Let us worship the Lord, our God!
Opening Prayers
King of glory, King of peace, we come before your throne of grace in awe and gratitude, for you are worthy of all our praise. The God we adore, like Mary of Bethany, who poured out her most precious gift at the feet of Jesus, we desire to offer you our wholehearted devotion. You are the God of love and grace, the one who deserves our highest honour and praise. Your presence fills our lives with beauty, just as the fragrance of Mary’s offering filled the house. You are the giver of life, the Saviour who walks with us and among us, and the King who is worthy of all worship. May our hearts be captivated by your goodness, and may our lives be a sweet offering before you. We adore you, for you alone are worthy of our worship.
Merciful and forgiving God, we confess that, like Judas, we sometimes fail to recognize what truly matters. There are times we have withheld our love, hesitated in our worship, and questioned the value of giving our best to you. Instead of pouring out our lives in devotion, we have held back—clinging to pride, selfishness, and worldly concerns. Lord, forgive us for the times we have been more focused on earthly gain than on honouring you. Forgive us for moments when we have criticized others instead of celebrating acts of love. Cleanse our hearts and help us to be like Mary, willing to give all we have for your glory. Renew in us a spirit of true worship and devotion, that we may live each day as a fragrant offering to you. We pray in the name of our God and King, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please read the Gospel reading: John 12:1-8
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
STF 446 I will offer up my life
1 I will offer up my life
in spirit and truth,
pouring out the oil of love
as my worship to you.
In surrender I must give my every part;
Lord, receive the sacrifice
of a broken heart.
Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
o so faithful a friend, to so loving a King?
Saviour, what can be said, what can be sung
as a praise of your name
for the things you have done?
O, my words could not tell, not even in part, of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart.
2 You deserve my every breath
for you’ve paid the great cost;
giving up your life to death,
even death on a cross.
You took all my shame away,
there defeated my sin,
opened up the gates of heaven,
and have beckoned me in.
Matt Redman (b.1974)
Reflection
Have you ever been criticized for your faith? Have you ever felt mocked for your devotion to God? If so, you are not alone. Throughout history, faithful worshippers of God have faced opposition, yet they remained steadfast. In today’s Gospel reading (John 12:1-8), we see a powerful example of devotion in the life of Mary of Bethany. She gave Jesus her best offering, when she broke her alabaster box and poured expensive perfume on his feet. However, her act of worship was not appreciated by everyone who was present. Her devotion was met with criticism by Judas Iscariot who saw it as wasteful. However, Jesus defended Mary and praised her for this act of love and worship.
From this passage we learn a vital truth that God deserves our worship and devotion, even in the presence of critics. That true worship requires sacrifice as Mary did. It is believed that Mary’s perfume was worth a year’s wages, yet, she did not hesitate to give it to Jesus. She poured it all out because she understood who Jesus was and what he meant to her. True worship requires us to give our best—our time, talents, and resources. Worship is not about convenience but about surrender. Are we giving God our best, or only what is comfortable? Like Mary, what are you willing to break for Jesus?
In whatever we are willing to break for Jesus, we are reminded that true worship will face criticism. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ own disciples, criticized Mary. He called her worship a waste and argued that the money could have been given to the poor. However, his real concern was not generosity but greed. When you truly worship and serve God, expect criticism. Some will misunderstand your devotion, and others may even mock your faith. But just like Mary, we must not let critics stop us from honouring Jesus. We must not let people’s opinions keep us from worshipping God.
While Judas criticized Mary, Jesus defended her. He affirmed that her worship was meaningful and timely. Jesus knew that Mary’s act was preparing him for his burial, even though she didn’t fully understand it at the time. When we worship with sincerity, Jesus notices and honours true worship. Our devotion to God is never wasted. The world may not see its value, but God does. Are we more concerned with God’s approval or with people’s opinions? In all we do, we should aim to please God. So, just like Mary, may we pour out our lives as an offering to Jesus—not holding back, not fearing critics, but worshiping boldly, knowing that God deserves our worship and devotion in its entirety! Amen.
Prayers of intercession
Gracious and all-knowing God, we lift up our world before you, a world filled with brokenness, pain, and division. Just as Mary poured out her perfume in love and devotion, may all the nations pour out love instead of hatred, peace instead of violence, and justice instead of oppression. We pray for leaders to act with wisdom and compassion, for those suffering in war-torn regions to find hope, and for the light of Christ to shine in the darkest places. Healing God, may you bring healing where there is sickness, comfort where there is sorrow, and restoration where there is destruction. May your presence fill the earth like the fragrance of Mary’s offering, transforming lives and hearts. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving and merciful God, we pray for those in our families, churches, and communities who need your touch today. Many are burdened, struggling with illness, loss, financial hardships, and spiritual battles. Like Mary, who brought her best to Jesus, may we bring our loved ones before you, trusting in your power to heal, restore, and provide. We especially pray for those who feel criticized or discouraged in their faith. May they, like Mary, find confidence in knowing that their devotion is precious to you. Strengthen the weak, comfort the grieving, and renew the weary. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Faithful and Loving God, Like Mary, we want to offer you our best, yet we often hold back because of fear, doubt, or distractions. Forgive us for the times we have been more concerned about the opinions of others than about honoring you. Help us to be bold in our worship and steadfast in our devotion, even in the face of criticism and adversity. Fill our hearts with the fragrance of your presence, that our lives may be a testimony of your grace. Teach us to love you deeply, serve you faithfully, and trust you fully. May our lives be an offering poured out for your glory. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Answering God, we thank you for hearing our prayers. May your will be done in our world, in the lives of those around us, and in our own hearts. We pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
STF 489 All I once held dear, built my life upon
1 All I once held dear,
built my life upon,
all this world reveres,
and wars to own,
all I once thought gain
I have counted loss;
spent and worthless now,
compared to this.
Knowing you, Jesus,
knowing you,
there is no greater thing.
You’re my all, you’re the best,
you’re my joy, my righteousness,
and I love you, Lord.
2 Now my heart’s desire
is to know you more,
to be found in you
and known as yours.
To possess by faith
what I could not earn,
all-surpassing gift
of righteousness.
3 Oh, to know the power
of your risen life,
and to know you in
your sufferings.
To become like you
in your death, my Lord,
so with you to live
and never die.
Graham Kendrick (b.1950)
Benediction
May the love of God fill your hearts,
May the grace of Jesus Christ strengthen your faith,
And may the Holy Spirit empower you to worship boldly, serve faithfully, and love deeply.
May your life be a fragrant offering,
Bringing glory to the King of Kings who is always worthy. Amen.
