First Presbyterian Church
March 9, 2025
First Sunday in Lent
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE Liturgist
OPENING SENTENCES (responsive) Liturgist
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
say to the Lord:
My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.
For God will protect us from evil
and commands angels to guard us in all our ways.
God rescues those who love God
and is present with us in trouble.
God answers when we cry out
and reveals our salvation to us.
Let us worship God!
HYMN #483 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
The journey of life inevitably leads to wilderness,
times marked by guilt, frustration,
and the sense that we are not in the right place.
But even in the wilderness, God is with us.
Even in the wilderness, God’s mercy is sure.
As Lent unfolds before us, great God,
we see how far we have to go to Jerusalem.
The road is long, our sins are many,
and our burdens are heavy.
We can’t imagine new life, Easter life,
because our current lives are filled
with bad choices and failed efforts.
Meet us in our weakness.
Take up our sins.
Ease our burdens.
Carry us on the way.
Bring us to Jerusalem, at last.
Show us a love that is stronger than death,
a love no tomb can hold.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
Walking this earth,
facing temptation,
defeating sin,
Jesus has done for us
what we could never do for ourselves.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
O Lord of light and salvation,
let these words of Scripture
live not only in our mouths,
but in our hearts,
that we will embody your truth
and confess with our lives
that Jesus is Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Liturgist
1 You who live in the shelter of the Highest,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."
9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14 Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 4:1-13 Rev. Brian Copeland
1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where 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. 3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." 4Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"
5Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And 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. 7If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." 8Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
9Then 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, 10for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' 11and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 12Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #81 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.21
The reconciling work of Jesus
was the supreme crisis in the life of humankind.
His cross and resurrection become personal crisis
and present hope for women and men
when the gospel is proclaimed and believed.
In this experience,
the Spirit brings God’s forgiveness to all,
moves people to respond in faith,
repentance, and obedience,
and initiates the new life in Christ.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus
as we pray for the world he came to save,
saying: Have mercy, O God; hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
You have shown us, O God,
the sacrifice that you desire.
Now use these gifts—
and use our lives—
to liberate the oppressed,
to break the bonds of injustice,
to feed the hungry,
welcome the poor,
and unite the human family;
all in the name and for the sake
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HYMN #80 Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
POSTLUDE
Reminders:
March 9 – Session and Committee meetings following worship
March 30 – Joint worship with Marcellus FPC here
April 13 – Palm Sunday
April 18 – Good Friday
April 20 – Easter Sunday (One Great Hour of Sharing banks returned.)
