| March 9, 2025
9:00am 1st Sunday in Lent Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today! Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us. |
Christ in the Wilderness, 1898 Painting by Briton Riviere Trust This Love |
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GATHERING |
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PRELUDE Litany Rosalie Bonighton
Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort Johann G. Walther
Yeon Soh, organ
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus began his ministry to the world,
led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
As we begin our Lenten journey,
may God’s spirit lead us;
even into the uncomfortable places.
In those forty days, and in that place,
Jesus was faced with hunger, doubt
and temptation.
As we seek to follow Jesus,
may God’s spirit lead us,
even into the uncomfortable choices.
Jesus left the wilderness,
faithful and obedient to God,
rejoicing in the One in whom he trusted.
As we continue on our path of faith,
may God’s spirit lead us,
rejoicing in God’s love.
GATHERING HYMN Bless Now, O God, the Journey ELW 326
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. O Lord God, you led your people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide us now, so that, following your Son, we may walk safely through the wilderness of this world toward the life you alone can give, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song |
FIRST READING Deuteronomy 26:1-11
The annual harvest festival, called the Feast of Weeks, provides the setting for this reading. This festival celebrates the first fruits of the produce of the land offered back to God in thanks. In this text, worshipers announce God’s gracious acts on behalf of Israel.
A reading from Deuteronomy.
1 When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. 3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, 5 you shall make this response before the Lord your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. 6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, 7 we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; 9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. 11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 10:8b-13
Paul reminds the Christians at Rome of the foundation of their creed, the confession of faith in the risen Christ as Lord.
A reading from Romans
8b “The word is near you,
on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & PRESENTATION OF FIRST BIBLES
These are our stories of faith; stories of God’s endless love that comes to us through the words on these pages, the love of our community, and the bread and wine received at God’s table.
Read them, learn them, live them, pass them along.
Read them to challenge your ideas about what’s important.
Learn them so that they can help you trust in God.
Live them so that you can follow in Jesus’ way.
Pass them along, so that you can share God’s good news.
Read them, learn them, live them, pass them along.
Addressing each recipient: ___(Name)___, receive the Holy Scriptures.
Read them, learn them, live them, pass them along.
The stories we share teach us that everyone is welcome at God’s table –
people who doubt like Thomas, deny like Peter, love like Mary, and repent like Paul.
May you find yourselves among these stories;
may these words show you that you are a beloved child of God with a special seat at the banquet.
May the God of all grace, who has called you to community, support you and make you strong.
After the children’s message, children ages 3-6th grade are invited to go upstairs for Sunday School classes.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL Luke 4:1-13
After being filled with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, Jesus is led in the wilderness. Through his responses to the temptations of the devil, he defines what it means to be called “the Son of God.”
The Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”
5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’
11 and on their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jess
HYMN OF THE DAY When We Are Tested ACS 922
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.
A brief silence.
Gracious God, speak your word anew among your church. Strengthen it to withstand the temptation to turn inward in fear or complacency. Embolden church institutions to turn from self-preservation toward the self-giving love of Jesus. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Mothering God, speak the word of life into wilderness places and fertile fields. Grant wisdom to your people, that we may quell the urge to strip lands of their resources and instead preserve first fruits for future generations. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Almighty God, speak words of wisdom and accountability to people in positions of power: mayors, councils, and boards, legislators, judges and juries, presidents and monarchs. Help them discern your voice and follow your guidance, resisting the temptations of tyranny and the evil one.
God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Steadfast God, speak words of courage to your people in the wilderness. Protect migrants and refugees on perilous journeys, that they find safe refuge and a portion in the bounty you have given humanity to share. Teach us to welcome and advocate on behalf of those who have no shelter.
God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Loving God, speak gently to all who are alone. Bless lay ministers, pastoral caregivers, and others who attend to those who are overlooked, vulnerable, or lonely, that all find belonging in your love. We pray for all who are ill or grieving, especially Tate, Michael, Linda, Bill, Lou, Jim, Pat, Nancy, the friends and family of Monty Montgomery, Maddie, Stella, Darlene, Butch Maryann, Michael, Llyod & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders.
God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Living God, we give thanks for all the faithful who have borne witness to one another’s lives in this community of faith. With our altar flowers today, we celebrate the 62nd wedding anniversary of Bill and Bobbie Hendrick, and the birthdays of Stephen and Silas, son and grandson of Stephanie LeClair. We remember all the saints who have crossed the threshold from death to life. Guide us who are living to learn from their wisdom and follow their example. God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Caregiving God, grant your abundant warmth and love through the gift of the prayer shawls we bless today. Guide us to share them with people in need: those who are lonely, uncertain, grieving or ill. Use them to protect your children on difficult or unknown journeys. Bless the members of this community who create these shawls, and let their love and care shine through their work.
God, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Receive the prayers of your people and draw all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus, who leads us from death to life. Amen.
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
As a worship practice for Lent, we are using a different model for confession and forgiveness based on the book Standing Naked Before God: The Art of Public Confession by Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette. This model includes an individual from the congregation sharing a story of confession, a prayer we speak in unison, a minute of silent confession, and an assurance of grace. Today we hear from Bob Frederico.
UNISON PRAYER
Let us pray.
Jesus, you are always with us, seeking us out, inviting us into deeper faith.
But too often, we go our own way.
We insist on going it alone. We stubbornly say that “we are fine.”
We keep our masks on, afraid to reveal our true needs and vulnerabilities to others.
We seek our own desires instead of yours.
We think in our minds that we love you, when our actions show otherwise.
We wind up separated from you, with ears plugged and unable to hear your voice.
We allow the busy-ness of our lives to keep us from growing our love and desire for you.
Forgive us God. Remind us that you have closed the gap between us.
Your invitation to the fullness of grace never goes away.
Open us to the abundance of life that comes through you.
SILENT CONFESSION
During this moment, consider how the story you have heard leads you to see ways you are separated from God. In the silence, bring those ways before God and pray for God to transform them.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING INVITATION (Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
ANTHEM Now Let Us All With One Accord Arlen Clarke
Chancel Choir
PRESENTATION
OF GIFTS Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Jesus, your love changes our lives! Bless these gifts that we have gathered for the good of the world. Expand our vision of who is welcome at this table. Help us to make space for all to know that you invite them to this feast of grace. Amen.
| MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ |
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to search their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Merciful God, you are indeed holy, bringing forth life out of ashes.
You build an expansive table where your children gather, a firm foundation for our home.
To show your loving hope for our broken pieces, you gave your only Son to live among us.
Build your love among us at this table!
We gather for this meal, telling the stories of your Spirit’s movement through generations:
when you made a way out of no way, bringing your people from bondage to freedom;
when you re-built their temple from the rubble of exile;
whenever you call us out of ordinary life and ask us to follow you,
trusting that your grace is more than enough to sustain us along the way.
Build your love among us at this table!
We remember the night before Jesus was betrayed, when he gathered with his friends.
He took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering his life, death, and resurrection that defies death forever,
we watch and wait for Jesus’ presence in our midst, recalling the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Send your Spirit on the bread and cup we share.
Use them to build in us a hunger for justice and a thirst for compassion.
In the foundation of your love, give us courage to live our faith beyond boundaries.
Build your love in us for the sake of the world!
All glory and honor are yours, creator God,
through your Holy Spirit, in the kin-dom you build, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
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,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
God builds a place for you at this table, where all are fed and all belong. Come and see!
COMMUNION
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence.
We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.
Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer), and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
AGNUS DEI
COMMUNION HYMNS As the Winter Days Grow Longer ACS 924
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me ELW 325
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Tender and merciful God, at this table you turn our emptiness into joy. You transform individuals into a community of love. You form us as your people. Send us now to care for the world you have made and build your love for all to see. Amen.
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SENDING |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.
SENDING HYMN Lead Me, Guide Me ELW 768
In the red pew hymnal
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Build God’s love!
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten BWV 642 J.S.Bach
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Randy Koopman
Lector Darlene Zuehl
Communion Presenters Kristen & David McCordick
Ushers Bennett Wilson & Carl Miett
Altar Care Holly Pavlak & Stephanie Leclair
Livestream Operator Ernie Zimmermann
UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS
Harriet Tubman, died 1913; Sojourner Truth, died 1883; renewers of society
Monday, March 10, 2025
Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, helped about 300 others to escape slavery until the institution was abolished. Sojourner Truth, whose birth name was Isabella, was freed after slavery was abolished, and discerned a call to be a preacher. Taking the name Sojourner Truth, she set out on an evangelistic journey, where people found her testimony to be deeply moving.
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Born into wealth and power, Gregory was for a time the chief administrator of the city of Rome. Giving this up for a life in the church, he was elected pope in 590. He influenced public worship through the establishment of a lectionary and prayers to correlate with the readings. Gregorian chant is named in his honor.
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| From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Call to Worship adapted from Thom Shuman’s “Lectionary Liturgies” website: http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/ Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. 9 March Hymn based.docx |
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