Sunday, February 18, 2024

Theme:

The temptations of Jesus appear the first Sunday of Lent each year.  This year’s passage is from Mark’s gospel… a very brief mention of the fact that Jesus went out into the wilderness and was tempted with no details.  We know we will be tempted throughout life, so let’s see what we can learn from the experience of Jesus and be reminded that we are never alone no matter how great the temptation.

Reflections:

First Sunday of Lent:

Introit: Referencing the scripture from Genesis, and also reflecting the Lenten practice of penitance, “Lord Jesus, Think on Me

Opening Hymn: “The Glory of These Forty Days”, connect Jesus’ fasting in the desert for forty days to the testing of biblical figures.

Transition Hymn: “I Depend Upon Your Faithfulness”

Special Music: An arrangement of “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” by Linda Cable Shute.

Responsive Hymn: The hymn, “When We are Tested”, is mostly taken from Temptation of Christ as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. The text connects Jesus’ temptation to our own daily struggles (‘when’, not ‘if’).

Sending Hymn: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”…through the trials and tribulations of this world.

Benediction: Following what we have used the last serveral years, the text is “Love Will Be Our Lenten Journey” sung to the PICARDY tune (“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”)