The First Sunday in Lent
LENT
Lent is a season of self-examination, reflection and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter. Though it is an ancient tradition, it powerfully speaks to our modern condition because it calls us not to observe a ritual, but to engage in renewal. As theologian Robert Webber puts it, “We too easily forget our Maker and Redeemer, replacing God with things and ambition. Lent is the season that...calls us back to God, back to basics, back to the spiritual realities of life. It calls us to put to death the sin and the indifference we have in our hearts toward God and our fellow persons. And it beckons us to enter once again into the joy of the Lord–the joy of a new life born out of a death to the old life.”
REFLECTION
If Jesus's forty days in the wilderness is a time of self-creation, a time for the Son of God to decide who he is and how he will live out his calling, then here is what he chooses: emptiness over fullness. Obscurity over honor. Vulnerability over rescue. At every instance when Jesus can reach for the magical, the glorious, and the safe, he reaches instead for the mundane, the invisible, and the risky.
— Debi Thomas, from Journey With Jesus
Is everything holy? I learn that when the upper limb of a cottonwood tree is cut crosswise, the grain reveals a perfect five-pointed star. The star is understood as a sign of the Great Spirit's presence and the tree's holy nature. Even the breeze blowing through the cottonwood leaves is understood to be its prayer... Who would ever notice, in my busy life, that a star is secreted in a cottonwood tree? It makes me wonder, are there equally hidden depths inside of me?
God comes to you disguised as your life.
— Paula D'Arcy, from Gift of the Red Bird
COLLECT
God of the wilderness, your Spirit leads us to face the truth, unprotected and exposed: in our times of trial, help us to resist the worship of empty power and the illusion of invulnerability that we might find our true food in Jesus Christ, the Broken Bread. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Joshua Jalandoon (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
Adapted from a liturgy by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Jesus went to the mountaintop to pray.
Jesus went into the city to heal.
Jesus walked to Samaria to extend love.
Jesus went to the water’s edge to teach.
Jesus went to places of peace and connection,
but Jesus also went to the wilderness.
There is nowhere we can go that God does not walk with us.
We are in the presence of God. Together, let us worship.
PRAYER OF ADORATION
PRAISE
SONGS
For the Beauty of the Earth
Folliot Pierpoint, 1864 · Conrad Kocher, 1838
I Surrender
David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, 2016
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
from Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Holy God, when we think that expansive life is about power—
Teach us a new way.
Gracious Creator, when we think that expansive life is about material wealth—
Teach us a new way.
Gracious Author, when we think that expansive life is about control—
Teach us a new way.
Teach us to live as you live.
Teach us to love as you love.
Forgive us when we don’t.
Gratefully we pray, Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
John 7:37-38
Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
In Christ, we receive the fullness of God’s love. This is the good news!
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Matthew 18:20 (Peace Be With You)
For the City Church CG's March 18th, 2020 · Minna Choi, 2020
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Matthew 19:13-14, NRSV
Little children were being brought to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: Wherever you are, wherever you go, may you know that God loves you, and is with you, always and forever. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG OF RENEWAL
Living Waters
Ed Cash, Kristyn Getty, 2016
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
SCRIPTURE
Luke 4:1-13, NRSV
Kelly Cole, Reader
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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
Full to the Brim: Even in the Desert
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
Generous God, we offer you now our lives and our resources. We ask that you would use us and everything we have to build a world of peace, joy and freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
The Lord’s Prayer
written & performed by Diana Gameros
COMMUNION
Guidelines for Reception of Communion
Communion, also called The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the gospel, who are at peace with God and with their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with His people, the church.
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
Rev. Melisa Blankenship (she/her)
CONFESSION OF FAITH: Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
Karl Digerness, ©2015
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
COMMUNION PRAYER
Lord God, you have renewed us with the living bread from heaven; by it you nourish our faith, increase our hope, strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is the true and living bread, and enable us to live by every word that proceeds from out of your mouth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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.
SONG
In Feast or Fallow
Sandra McCracken, 2010
BENEDICTION
Adapted from a Benediction by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
As you leave this place, may you be awestruck by the beauty of this world. May you laugh, and may it be contagious. May you overflow with love for those around you. May you be effusive with hope and quick to point out joy. And in all of your living, and breathing, and being, may you find yourself full to the brim with God’s Holy Spirit. In the name of the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
MUSICIANS
Diana Gameros, guest artist
Jeff Marrs, drums
Jason Muscat, bass
Adam Shulman, piano
Evan Price, fiddle
Christi Chew, vocal
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocals