March 6, 2022
The First Sunday in Lent
Enhance your online worship experience
Whether you’re a first-time online visitor or a life-long member, we welcome and celebrate the ways you enrich our collective worship of a scattered yet gathered Children of God. As we begin our service, we invite you to light a candle, just as we do in the prelude during our in-person worship. Our two altar candles symbolize that Christ was both a human being and God. A light being carried into the world shows that Jesus Christ is for all people - everywhere. Just as a the acolyte carries the lighted candlelight into the congregation, the light symbolizes the light of Jesus Christ preceding us into the world where we as the church are to serve.
Gathering: The chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
Fantasy on KINGSFOLD | arr. H. Dean Wagner
Handbell Choir, directed by Lucy Butterworth
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship
From Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13
One: Jesus began his ministry to the world, led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
Many: As we begin our Lenten journey, let us be led by the Spirit, even into the uncomfortable places.
One: In those forty days, and in that place, Jesus was faced with hunger, doubt and temptation.
Many: As we seek to follow Jesus, we would be led, even into the uncomfortable choices.
One: Jesus left the wilderness, faithful and obedient to God, rejoicing in the One in whom he trusted.
Many: As we continue on our path to faithfulness, we will be led by our Christ, rejoicing in the Lord our God. **
Praising God
Hymn
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days | UMH# 269
Concerns and Prayers with the Lord’s Prayer
UMH# 895
Hearing and Proclaiming the Word of God
The Reading from the Psalms
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 | Assurance of God’s Protection
The Reading from the Gospels
Luke 4: 1-13 | The Temptation of Jesus
Sermon
Confronting Evil | Rev. Lisa Hartzog
Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon
The promise of Easter is the closeness of God through the actions of Christ. The promise of our journey is the loving embrace of our heavenly parent. The assurance I offer you today is that in the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven and made new.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new.
Thanks be to God.
Duet
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me | arr. Hal H. Hopson
Brooke Reyes and Alex Ngamhuy
The Celebration of Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving and Communion
Musical Setting D pp. 23-24
Breaking the Bread
Giving the Bread and Cup
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sending Into God’s World
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
Doxology | UMH# 94
Hymn
For the Bread Which You Have Broken | UMH# 614
Dismissal with Blessing
Postlude
Holy, Holy, Holy | arr. James Koerts
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Lisa Hartzog
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Pianist: Patty Higgins
Handbell Director: Lucy Butterworth
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Wiley cooper