Prelude I want Jesus to walk with me
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn God, Whose Farm is All Creation 261 CP
God, whose farm is all creation,
take the gratitude we give;
take the finest of our harvest,
crops we grow that all may live.
Take our ploughing, seeding, reaping,
hopes and fears of sun and rain,
all our thinking, planning, waiting,
ripening into fruit and grain.
All our labour, all our watching,
all our calendar of care,
in these crops of your creation,
take, O God: they are our prayer.
Gathering of the Community: (Based on Psalm 25)
Come let us share the Lenten journey together
Let us open ourselves to God’s presence.
To you, O God, we lift up our hearts.
In you, O God, we trust.
Make your ways known to us, we pray.
Teach us to live according to your truth.
Show us the paths we should follow.
Lead us in the ways of righteousness.
Come let us share the Lenten journey together
Let us open ourselves to God’s presence.
Opening Prayer:
God of all our days, you call us to love and serve one another and deepen our relationship with you. As we set off on this Lenten journey together, enliven us with the beauty of your word, unite us in a common purpose, and create in us a burning desire to be your community of blessing for the entire world. Amen
Collect of the Day (together):
Almighty God, whose Son fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are but did not sin, give us grace to discipline ourselves in submission to your Spirit, that as you know our weakness, so we may know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Candle Extinguishing Ceremony for The First Sunday of Lent
Meditation: We have come together this morning for renewal—in worship and as a community of faith. We’ve greeted one another, laughed and hugged. But now the time of reflection and stillness is upon us. It is the first Sunday in Lent—the season for journeys of the heart. Close your eyes. Be still. Listen. We are entering a holy time. The Lenten candles have been lit, but over the next six weeks the light will slowly fade into darkness. For we are retelling the story of Jesus’ betrayal and suffering and death. We do this not to be morbid, but because in the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God is revealed—in the amazing transformation of death into life, in endings transformed into beginnings, and in dead-ends that become a source for new possibilities.
This is the sacred center of our faith—the truth made manifest in Jesus Christ—that God is in each and every one of us, quietly transforming us and the world. In his pain and suffering, Jesus speaks to every pain and loss you have endured and offers you the promise of transformation. It’s an old story, but it still has the power to reveal, to heal, and to redeem. Jesus is at the heart of our faith, in the depth of our souls. He is waiting for us, inviting us to leave ordinary time and follow along with him on the journey that brought him to the Cross. Listen in silence, for Jesus is calling you.
(Silent time.)
As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness and pain of injustice in the world.
(A candle is extinguished.)
Let us pray:
Loving God, as we journey through this holy season of Lent, give us strength and courage to make the changes that are needed in our lives. Open our hearts and minds to your steadfast presence and help us to put our trust in you. Amen.
Hymn Tree of life and Awesome Mystery (179 CP vs 1, 6b)
Tree of life and awesome mystery,
in your death we are reborn, though you die in all of history,
still you rise with every morn, Still you rise with every morn.
From the dawning of creation
you have loved us as your own;
stay with us through all temptation,
make us turn to you alone,
make us turn to you alone.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the book, Deuteronomy (26:1-11)
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, 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. 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.’ When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, 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. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labour on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 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; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 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. 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.
Listen for the leading of the Spirit Thanks be to God
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
They shall say to the Lord, “You are our refuge and our stronghold, our God in whom we put our trust.”
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your habitation,
there shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
For the angels of God shall have charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and adder; you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
“Because they are bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver them; I will protect them, * because they know my name.
They shall call upon me, and I will answer them; I am with them in trouble; * I will rescue them and bring them to honour.
With long life will I satisfy them, and show them my salvation.”
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (10:8b-13)
But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 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. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ 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. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Listen for the leading of the Spirit Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord 466 CP
How clear is our vocation, Lord, when once we heed your call:
to live according to your word, and daily learn, refreshed, restored,
that you are Lord of all, and will not let us fall.
But if, forgetful, we should find your yoke is hard to bear;
if worldly pressures fray the mind and love itself cannot unwind
its tangled skein of care: our inward life repair.
We mark your saints, how they became in hindrances more sure,
whose joyful virtues put to shame the casual way we wear your name,
and by our faults obscure your power to cleanse and cure.
In what you give us, Lord, to do, together or alone,
in old routines or ventures new, may we not cease to look to you,
the cross you hung upon, all you endeavoured done.
The Gospel
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke (4:1-13)
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 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. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 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. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’
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, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith (by Rev. Sarah Are: www.sanctifiedart.org)
We believe in a God who knows holy rage— A God who stands with the underdog, Who passionately protects the suffering, And who overturns systems of corruption.
We believe in a God who leads by example— Feeding the hungry, Welcoming the children, Offering water to the Samaritan,
Eating with the tax collector, Healing the sick, Preaching from the mountaintop, And offering second chances.
We believe in a God who knew that we would lose our way, And still said, “This is my body broken for you.” We believe in a God who knew our capacity for mistakes, And still said, “I'm going to prepare a place for you.”
And because of this love, We believe that God shows us the way, Again and again and again Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
(With confidence and trust let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”)
For the one holy catholic and apostolic Church throughout the world, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those preparing for baptism and for their teachers and sponsors, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For peace in the world, that a spirit of respect and reconciliation may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For grace to amend our lives and to further the reign of God, we pray to you, Lord.
Lord, have mercy
Confession and Absolution
Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
O God, we come to worship this morning, knowing that we have not done all that you wished us to do. We have not
been the people that you wished us to be. We have not lived in the loving ways that Jesus taught us. We forget that
our actions can make a difference in our school, or job, or neighbourhood. We are sorry that we have let you down,
and ask for your forgiveness. Please give us strength to try again. Thank you God for listening. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all
goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace .
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offertory Hymn You Who Dwell 531CP
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in his shadow for life,
say to the Lord: “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
Chorus
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
Snares of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear:
under his wings your refuge, his faithfulness your shield.
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
For to his angels he’s given a command
to guard you in all of you ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
The Prayer over the Gifts (together)
God our refuge and our strength, receive all we offer you this day, and through the death and resurrection of your Son transform us to his likeness. We ask this in his name. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer 1
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right that we should praise you, gracious God, for you created all things.
You formed us in your own image: male and female you created us. When we turned away from you in sin, you did not cease to care for us, but opened a path of salvation for all people. You made a covenant with Israel, and through your servants Abraham and Sarah gave the promise of a blessing to all nations. Through Moses you led your people from bondage into freedom; through the prophets you renewed your promise of salvation. Therefore, with them, and with all your saints who have served you in every age, we give thanks and raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is the one that come in the name of the Lord
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest.
Holy God, source of life and goodness, all creation rightly gives you praise.
In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He healed the sick and ate and drank with outcasts and sinners; he opened the eyes of the blind and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom to the poor and to those in need. In all things he fulfilled your gracious will. On the night he freely gave himself to death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “ Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Gracious God, his perfect sacrifice destroys the power of sin and death; by raising him to life you give us life for evermore. Therefore we proclaim our hope.
Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Recalling his death, proclaiming his resurrection, and looking for his coming again in glory, we offer you, Father, this
bread and this cup. Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who eat and drink at this table may be
one body and one holy people, a living sacrifice in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen
The Lord`s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray
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 and 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.
The Breaking of the Bread Lent and Holy Week
We break this bread,
Communion in Christ’s body once broken.
Let your Church be the wheat which bears its fruit in dying.
If we have died with him, we shall live with him; if we hold firm, we shall reign with him.
The Communion
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Music During Communion
There Is Room for All (MV62)
I Am the Dream (MV106)
Prayer after Communion (together)
Faithful God, in this holy bread you increase our faith and hope and love. Lead us in the path of Christ who is your Word of life. We ask this in his name. Amen
The Doxology
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing
Closing Hymn FORTY DAYS Forty days, Lord you spent in the wilderness, bed in the sand and sky for a cover, The forty days we will keep them with willingness, fasting and prayer will proclaim that we care for the world’s tremendous lover. In forty days we’ll have entered Jerusalem, smiled at the palms and knelt at the vision of your great Cross but the pain of our losing you dies as the word gathers strength ad is heard, saying “Jesus Christ is risen”. For forty days we’ll get ready for Eastertide, share in your death and rise, as the story becomes a song of which love can never die love we must share with a world unaware that the world may know your glory.
The Dismissal
Go now with God,
who covers us with tender mercies.
Go now with Christ our friend,
who is our good companion, who gives us good food at the table and living water to sustain us.
Go knowing that God will direct our path,
bringing us joy and delight as we continue our journey of faith.
Postlude All will Finish Well (Tune In)
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