Order of Worship
March 9th , 2025
(The First Sunday of Lent)
10:00 AM
*If you are able, please stand.
Prelude: “Sonata II” Elisabetta de Gambarini
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
“To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.”
Introit: “Jesus Took the Bread” Ruth Duck/Randall Sensmeier
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: When Jesus was in the wilderness, he was tempted to save himself.
People: We often look for the good things for ourselves first, before the well-being of others.
Leader: Jesus was offered salvation if he turned stones to bread; if he accepted wealth and power; if he tested God’s commitment to him.
People: In all these things, Jesus remained strong in his commitment to God.
Leader: May our commitment be as strong.
People: May our lives be placed in God’s caring hands throughout our journey. AMEN.
*GATHERING HYMN: “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” #337
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Jesus, Child of God, the temptations of the world loom large before us. We are enticed, cajoled, and frightened into moving from lives of service into keeping our heads in the sand. We need your healing love. As you resisted the temptations in the wilderness, help us to place our trust in you, that we may be strong in our faith and confident in our service to you through serving ALL. Let justice and peacemaking guide from this material world into the Realm of God . AMEN.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
STATEMENT OF FAITH: We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “Forty Days and Forty Nights” # 179
WORD OF GOD: Luke 4: 1-13
4 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 tested 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 all this authority and their glory, 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 led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said 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.
Sermon Title: “Turning Point in the Wilderness” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer:
Flooding our emails, shouting to us from television screens, crowding our mailboxes, the offers for discounts and dollars, the dream of great wealth, enter our lives. Life isn’t easy. We do have struggles. We have come through the season devoted to commercialization of giving, to a time in which we are called to put aside the desire for wealth, status, power and enter into a journey of faith. This call is not an easy one to follow. It is much easier to succumb to the temptations of the culture of greed. Obsolescence is built into our systems – just as a new one is developed it becomes yesterday’s news. But God’s love and power are never obsolete. God’s presence is with us always, lifting, healing, restoring, encouraging us to move forward on the journey of service and compassion. We bring to our prayers today needs of others and situations which are difficult and sorrowful. We implore God to respond with compassion and care for these, our loved ones. Help us, O God, to remember that you are in the midst of these times, giving hope and love. Enable us to feel the power of this love in our own lives. Empower us to share love with others, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Choral Response: “Jesus Stand Among Us” William Pennefather/Friedrich Filitz
CALL TO GIVING: God of abundance, we offer these gifts, along with our praise and thanksgiving. You generously pour out your love and the gifts of this good earth to us, each and every day. Bless the gifts we return to you now, that they may bring abundant love and mercy. With grateful hearts, we pray. Amen.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “All Creatures of our God and King: Molly Ijames
*Offertory Music is dedicated to Women’s History Month during March 2025.
Doxology: (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison) Loving God, through the gifts of Your Spirit, you abide in us and with us. With gratitude, accept these gifts to better serve our world. Open our eyes to recognize Your presence here among us; open our hearts to the love that You have for us; open our minds to the truth You would reveal to us through the Holy Spirit, your Beloved Child, and You, our Ever Speaking God Amen
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” #5
Benediction: Our Lenten journey has begun. God is with us. As we leave our sanctuary let us continue to learn, teach, be patient, and serve as Christ has asked us to sacrifice this material world. Bring peace and hope to all in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Postlude: “Allegro Brillante” Marianne von Martinez