Lakeview Presbyterian Church
First Sunday of Lent
Prelude “Kyrie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy)” Prime
Welcome:
Call to Worship (from Matthew 4:1-11) Andy Meacham, Liturgist
For forty days and forty nights
our Savior fasted in the wilderness.
Tempted to turn from God, tempted to turn to power and privilege.
our Savior resisted.
Let us follow Jesus through the wilderness this Lent, examining our temptations, resisting them and returning to God.
Let us worship God.
*Hymn “What Wondrous Love Is This” GG #215
Call to Confession
We pause here to examine our lives, our temptations, and the ways we have fallen short before our God. Let us confess our sins together.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, as we wander through this wilderness with Jesus, examining all the worldly comforts we turn to during times of stress and struggle, we confess the neglect of our faith. We confess all that we place above you, making idols of money, earthly power, and even food. Empty us this Lent, Holy God. Guide us in our spiritual practices so we can leave this wilderness season more aware of your presence and the ways our faith can sustain us. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Remember and receive these hopeful words from John 8:32, “If you continue in my word, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Receive God’s truth. Receive God’s grace. Accept the freedom God provides. Amen.
Prayer for illumination
God of grace, help us seek you and the message you intend for us today. Let us not be distracted by worldly pursuits or pleasures. Help us to focus our hearts and minds on you and your Word read and proclaimed today. Amen.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” for us, until we come back to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the Israelites. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
Reading from the Gospel Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Hymn (please remain seated) “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” GG #418
Sermon “A talk with Satan” Courtney Jones
*Affirmation of Faith (from Colossians 1:15-20)
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible. All things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is head of the body, the church, he is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Amen.
African American History Remarks Ms Ann Sherman White
Statement about Offering our Gifts God calls us to lives of grateful generosity. Let us praise the Giver of all good gifts through our offering today.
Donations can be placed in the offering plate near the baptismal font in the center of the sanctuary.
Or mailed to:
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705
or given online at: lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Prayer of Dedication
God of grace, you provide for us in amazing ways. Accept these offerings as signs of our gratitude and bless them to further Christ’s ministry and mission among the poor, the despairing and the destitute. Amen.
Special Music “In Christ Alone” Getty
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (This is the Ecumenical Version; feel free to use the words of your choice)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen
*Hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” GG #169
Announcements
Charge and Benediction
May the grace, hope, peace and love of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer be with us all, now and forever. Amen.
Postlude “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” Townsend
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