CALL TO WORSHIP
Our only comfort in life and in death is that we are not our own, but we belong— body and soul—to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us worship the one to whom we belong.
The voice of God in Isaiah 43 calls us to worship today. Use the audio file to have Allan Smillie read the passage or read it aloud yourself.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
OPENING HYMN
Our opening hymn today is “How Firm a Foundation.”
Please sing along. The words are posted below the video.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”
Prayer of Confession
If you are able, sit up straight. Place your hand palms up on your lap and offer this prayer.
Awaken us, O Lord, to your presence in the world. In times of trial, we sometimes misplace our trust. We excuse fearful decisions in the name of self-interest. We look for easy solutions and shortcuts. However, you offer us faith, even as we struggle to accept that faith is sufficent. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
We pray this in the name of the one who says again and again, “Fear not for I am with you.” We pray with confidence because of the good news of Jesus Christ: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.
THE WORD
You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Michael read these scripture passages, read along with the audio files, or read the passages aloud yourself.
Throughout Lent we have been studying prayer together. We set out to study each request for of the Lord’s Prayer each week in worship. Today we return to the final prayer request in the Lord’s Prayer.
Matthew 6:13
The last petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards 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 splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 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.
Matthew 26:36-41
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
SOLO
Lara Moon sings “How Great His Love.” Use this time to sense where God may be leading you.
Affirmation of Faith
Our affirmation of faith today comes from the Iona Abbey in Scotland.Feel free to recite the affirmation with First Presbyterian Church using the recording.
Out of death came life,
and God defeated evil:
an empty cross and an empty tomb,
a nail mark shown and a presence known.
Out of sorrow came joy,
and God sent the Spirit:
coming like fire to all people and ages,
coming to birth in the water of life.
Out of difference came unity,
and God's people were called:
called to receive Christ in bread and wine,
called to be free in the power of love.
For when the Holy Spirit comes upon us,
we will be filled with power,
and be witnesses for Christ to the ends of the earth.
Prayers of the People
Michael will lead our prayers of the people today. Add your own prayers by naming them aloud in the moments of silence. If someone in your household would like to offer the prayer instead, then here is the prayer used by our congregation today.
Holy God, help us pray for what you want—to hunger for your glory—to seek your face. Fill us with a knowledge of you—to cast out fear with love—to keep us attentive to your will in the world. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us—so that we can witness your redeeming love—so that the hope you give can bless the world.
We pray for…those who are ill…those who are lonely…those torn between grief and hope…healthcare workers…those in positions of public trust…the Church of Jesus Christ…our friends, families, and ourselves…
Let us pray together: 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.
SENDING
Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family.
Benediction
And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. And hear the voice of God say, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Call or e-mail someone offering them the peace of Jesus Christ.
Postlude
CCLI License #768739