Welcome to Lent
Since very ancient times, Christians of all ages and places have observed the season of Lent. Throughout that long history, it has always been a time for spiritual renewal in anticipation of the great feast of Easter, the center of the church’s year. The baptismal covenant is made with us individually, but the new life we are given in baptism is for the sake of the whole world.
Our worship includes prayers, songs, readings, and a message. You can worship by viewing the videos, reading the words, singing the songs, or simply listening. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we worship together.
announcements & Call to Worship
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God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, in this season of Lent, help us to listen to your voice as you bring us together, on these screens, united by your spirit. In this time and in the coming days, give us provision for the journey, courage and faith and compassion, and endurance to face any hardship. Open our eyes to see you walking beside us, protecting us, encouraging us, loving us. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Holy God, heavenly Creator, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Reading
Genesis 9:8-17
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8God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9“As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Mark 1:9-15
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9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Hymn of the Day
Out in the Wilderness
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Driven by the Spirit out in the wilderness; driven by the Spirit out in the wilderness; when the Spirit says, “Go,” you can’t say, “No.” You listen for the voice when you’re bended low; driven by the Spirit out in the wilderness.
Tempted by the devil out in the wilderness; tempted by the devil out in the wilderness; though you try to be strong, it’s been so long. He whispers in your ear and you know he’s wrong; tempted by the devil out in the wilderness.
Angels all around you out in the wilderness; angels all around you out in the wilderness; you are far from home where wild things roam. There’s danger ev’rywhere but you’re not alone; angels all around you out in the wilderness.
“You are my beloved” out in the wilderness. “You are my beloved” out in the wilderness. When you were baptized you realized you’d heard the voice of God from the op’ning skies: “You are my beloved” out in the wilderness.
Thanksgiving for the Word: Lent
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Holy God, our living Water, our faithful Companion, our true Guide, by your Word you created a world with rivers and seas, wells and springs, and in mercy you provided water for your people in the wilderness. For your Word with the water of baptism, we thank you, O God.
We praise you for Christ, who joined us in our desert, calling us to righteousness, granting forgiveness, and walking with us into newness of life. For Jesus, your gracious Word, we glorify you, O God.
Through these days of Lent we plead for your Spirit, that strengthened by your Word, we may care for others and for the world you made, and work for justice and peace for all. For your Word in our hearts and minds, we praise you, O God.
Receive our thanksgiving, and grant us your blessing, Holy God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayers
Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
Relying on you, O God of our salvation, we pray for the church throughout the world, that strengthened by the promises of baptism, we discern your way of truth and justice. Lord, hear our prayer.
Distressed by injustice and violence, we pray for leaders who govern in our nation and around the world, that they strive for equality and peace. Lord, hear our prayer.
Alert to the difficulties of wintertime, we pray for all who are cold, for all who are homeless, for refugees awaiting assistance, and for all whose employment requires them to endure brutal weather. Help us to care for each other. Lord, hear our prayer.
Pained by the suffering of others, we pray for all who are sick. We pray for all who have contracted COVID-19, for those who face natural disasters, for those whose suffering is known only to you. Comfort those who feel desolate. Give health and wholeness to all who suffer. Lord, hear our prayer.
Praying also for ourselves, we ask your Spirit to accompany us through each wilderness that we must endure. Lord, hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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.
Blessing
You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor. God bless you that you may be a blessing, in the name of the holy and life-giving Trinity. Amen.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Sending Song
Guide Me Ever Great Redeemer
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Guide me ever, great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but you are mighty; hold me with your pow’rful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore, feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain where the healing waters flow; let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer, shield me with your mighty arm, shield me with your mighty arm.
When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside; death of death and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side. Songs and praises, songs and praises, I will raise forevermore, I will raise forevermore.
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Dan
Children’s Moment: Kathy
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147.