March 9, 2025
First Sunday in Lent
March 9, 2025 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin
Gathering
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
Jesus, Tempted in the Desert arr. Pam Turner
Welcome
Call to Worship
On this first Sunday in Lent, we join Jesus in the wilderness, a place of wild and dangerous things, of testing and temptation away from the security of home.
God, rescue us in the wilderness!
Once again, we watch and listen as Satan throws out temptation upon temptation, and we find our security in Jesus, who does not waver from the truth.
God, rescue us within the wilderness!
Once again, we face our own frailty and realize that the wilderness is not nearly as dangerous as our choices to prioritize selfish gain and hoarding of power.
God, rescue us through the wilderness!
Once again, we call upon God in the wildernesses of our lives, and we trust God’s faithful reply:
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them. Thanks be to God!
Hymn
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days UMH#269
Reading from the Old Testament
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Anthem
A Lenten Walk arr. Hal Hopson
Lucy and Amy Butterworth, flutes
Psalm of Response
Psalm 91 UMH pp.810 & 811 Please sing the response
Reading from the Gospels
Luke 4:1-13
Sermon
Jesus Resists the Adversary | Rev. Kelly Dotson
Joys and Concerns and Prayers of the People with The Lord’s Prayer for Lent
Pastor Kelly: On this day, we come boldly into the presence of our God, praying with our Savior as he taught us to pray:
People: Our Parent in heaven, Holy is your name.
Liturgist: We join with Christians around the world as we say:
People: Holy is your name.
Pastor Kelly: God, you created all things and hold us in the palm of your hand.
People: Holy is your name.
Liturgist: Great God, you are anywhere and everywhere, beyond the stars and the moon; you are here with us today but also in Ukraine, in Russia, in Sudan; you are with the hungry and the oppressed in Somalia, Yemen, Chad and wherever people are in need:
People: Holy is your name.
Pastor Kelly: God in heaven, you are at work in schools, in farms, and in factories,
Liturgist: you heal the sick and minister to the poor and homeless:
People: our Parent in heaven, Holy is your name.
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
Make a Gift of a Tithe or Offering
Gloria Patri UMH# 70
Hymn
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God UMH#110
Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light
Postlude
The God of Abraham Praise arr. Silver Piano
Announcements
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higgins
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Mars Hill United Methodist Church
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Mars Hill, NC 28754
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