Description
Luke 4:1-13
We live in a world that seems to be out of control much of the time. Every single day we are alive, we hear or read about destruction, terror, murder, and senseless acts. We see our economy in shambles and wonder what the future holds. What shall we do as a society? What can we do as individuals? How can we prepare ourselves? We live in a fallen world and sin abounds. Each of us struggles with sin and daily we are faced with temptations. That is our reality. We all experience walking in the wilderness with our backpacks of vulnerabilities. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was faced with temptation. What did He do? He gives us an example and strategy to help us respond.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Trust in Jesus
David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee, & Tai Anderson, ©2010 Songs From The Quarry (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Today Is The Day
Lincoln Brewster & Paul Baloche, ©2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Give Me Jesus
Jeremy Camp, ©2006 Thirsty Moon River Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Stolen Pride (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
BH 75 37; BH 91 8; CH 151; CHH 65; EH 687,688; ELW 503,504; HWC 26; HPW 18; HFG 118; HLC 11; HGP 10; HSP 31; LBW 228,229; LSB 656,6577; LW 296,297; NCH 439,440; PH 259,260; RH 17; STTL 30; WC 43; UMH 110; WAR 507; WHM 13; WIS 4
If You Will Trust In God To Guide You
BH 75 203; BH 91 57; CHH 565; EH 635; ELW 769; HWC 600; HFG 605; HLC 420; LBW 453; LSB 750, NCH 410; PH 282; WC 636; UMH 142; WAR 429; WHM 604
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We join together today and come just as we are—broken and imperfect.
ALL We come to confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord!
Pastor In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and Loving God, we know that You desire our attention and faithfulness, yet we find ourselves giving in to the world and our own selfish desires. On a daily basis, we see how easily we are lured by the temptations that come our way. It is as if we are living Christ’s wilderness experience all over again. We know in our hearts that You desire obedience, yet we heed voices that speak about pleasure, power, prestige, and self-gratification. As we begin this season of Lent, give us an awareness of Your presence when we are faced with the temptations of this world. Focus our minds and hearts on Your Word and the power of the Holy Spirit — that we may be obedient and seek Your will for our lives. Give us the strength and courage needed. Open our eyes and ready our hearts!
ALL In the strong name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we admit that we have fallen short and have sinned against God in thought, word, and deed. We have certainly failed God in many areas of our lives not only by what we have done and said, but also by what we have left undone and unsaid. Knowing this, let us pray.
ALL Heavenly Father, we openly confess before You and among one another that we have not lived as children of the light. We have strayed from the path of righteousness and caved in when faced with temptations. We have allowed our will to win out over Your will. Our hurtful words and careless actions have been poor examples of what it means to call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ. We have not reached out to others in need because we are so self-absorbed. We have allowed our doubts about Your power to keep us us from taking action to help change lives and change ourselves. Forgives us Lord, for what we have been, and show us this Lent what we may yet become.
Pastor Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and all your sins. You been raised to newness of life. You are forgiven and blameless in the sight of God. Believe this and embrace it with joy!
We Hear God’s Word
The passage we are about to hear helps us understand what God did for His People.
God listens and provides.
First Reading 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, 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.
