Order of Service / Lent 1 / March 9, 2025

 *Gathering Hymn Open My Eyes, That I May See (#371 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Lead us into the Season of Lent, O God;

All: help us to reflect on the areas of our lives that call for change.

One: Go with us into the Season of Lent, O God;

All: strengthen us, as we join our talents with the talents of our faith community.

One: Guide us as we begin the Season of Lent, O God.

All: Link us to the story of Jesus, that we may learn and find courage through his willingness to brave the toughest trials.

One: Challenge us as we encounter the significance of the Season of Lent, O God,

All: that we may confront and overcome the powers that oppress, weaken, and destroy. Amen.

*David Sparks. Gathering LE  2025. Page 31.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn As the Sun with Longer Journey (#111 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God, we confess that there is a wanderer in each of us, and that wandering doesn’t always take us to your promised land. Have mercy on us, as we walk with Jesus into the wilderness through this season of Lent. Open our senses to the truth of your word, revealed in Jesus the Christ. Pardon us our sins of commission and omission as we bare them before you. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

* Nora Vedress. Gathering LE 2022. Page 31.

Words of Assurance

One: God made us;

All: we are creatures made in the image of the Divine.

One: Christ has redeemed us;

All: we are a people forgiven and blessed,

One: The Holy Spirit sustains us;

All: be open to the future with confidence and hope.

One: Be assured that whenever we confess in the name of Christ,

All: God is there to bless and guide you. Thanks be to God.

*Celebrate God’s Presence. Page 129.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (VU #577)

I‘ve got joy like a fountain, I‘ve got joy like a fountain,

I‘ve got joy like a fountain, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 My father was a wandering Aramean.

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 (VU p.807) I will raise you up on eagle’s wings.

Luke 4:1-13 Jesus tested in the desert.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Jesus, Tempted in the Desert (#115 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#581 VU, v. 2 | When We Are Living)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

We belong to God, we belong to God.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Loving God, we are always tempted to keep what we already have, yet you whisper to us a different, more radical purpose: “Give your time to build relationships that make a difference. Give your talent in community to foster a space of unconditional loving. Give your treasure to share bounty with others.” We are paying attention, wise Spirit. We ask that you bless what we give, that we may be faithful witnesses to the Way of Jesus. Amen.

*Gord Dunbar. Gathering LE 2025. Page 36.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn O Jesus, I Have Promised (#120 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Let us go forward into the uncertainties of life.

All: Let us be open to the guidance of the Spirit.

One: Let us go forward certain that God will calm our spirits as we confront our fears.

All: Let us go forward knowing that we are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*Beth W Johnston. Gathering LE 2025. Page 37.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214 MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

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