Crandall United Methodist Church

Worship Guide

February 26, 2023

First Sunday in Lent

Creating Disciples of Jesus who Transform the World

ENTRANCE WITH PRAISE

Greetings:

Minister:    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

People:     And also with you!

Special Music: “In Jesus Name” Stefanie

Centering Words:

Happy are those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sin is covered. Rejoice and be glad, you upright in heart.

*Call to Worship:

Leader:   Temptation surrounds us every day.

People:  Happy are those whose transgressions are forgiven.

Leader:   Opportunities to stray litter our path.

People:  Happy are those whose sin is covered.

Leader:   Though we stumble and fall, God’s mercy picks us up.

People:  God’s grace brushes us off.

Leader:   Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.

People:  God’s love meets us here.

Leader:   Let us pray

ALL: Righteous God, we need your presence in our lives if we are to resist temptation. Send your angels to minister to us when the tempter come to call. Put not our hearts to the test, but shelter us in your protective love. For you are our God and we are your people. Amen.

Hymn: “Lamb of God”

Your only son, no sin to hide,

but you have sent him from your side,

to walk upon this guilty sod,

and to become the Lamb of God.

Your gift of love, they crucified,

they laughed and scored him as he died,

the humble king they named a fraud

and sacrificed the Lamb of God.

O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,

I love the holy Lamb of God!

O wash me in his precious blood

my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

I was so lost, I should have died,

but you have brought me to your side,

to be led by your staff and rod,

and to be called a lamb of God.

O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,

I love the holy Lamb of God!

O wash me in his precious blood

my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

Words of Assurance

We worship the one who forgives our transgressions and covers our sin.

Rejoice and be glad, for God’s mercy is greater than our failings; God’s grace is greater than our sin.

Thanks be to God!

*Old Testament Reading: Genesis 2:15-17

¹⁵ The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

Leader:   This is the Word of God, for the  People of God

People:  Thanks be to God!

WORD AND RESPONSE

Time with Young Friends: “Jesus Loves Me”

Children’s Message: “Jesus Is Tempted”

Hymn: “Jesus, Tempted in the Desert”

Jesus, tempted in the desert,

lonely, hungry, filled with dread:

"Use your power," the tempter tells him;

"Turn these barren rocks to bread!"

"Not alone by bread, " he answers,

"Can the human heart be filled.

Only by the Word that calls us

is our deepest hunger stilled!"

Jesus, tempted at the temple,

high above its ancient wall:

"Throw yourself from lofty turret;

angels wait to break your fall!"

Jesus shuns such empty marvels,

feats that fickle crowds request:

"God, whose grace protects, preserves us,

we must never vainly test."

Jesus, tempted on the mountain

by the lure of vast domain:

"Fall before me! Be my servant!

Glory, fame, you're sure to gain!"

Jesus sees the dazzling vision,

turns his eyes another way:

"God alone deserves our homage!

God alone will I obey!"

When we face temptation's power,

lonely, struggling, filled with dread,

Christ, who knew the tempter's hour,

come and be our living bread.

By your grace, protect, preserve us

lest we fall your trust betray.

Yours, above all other voices,

be the Word we hear, obey.

Sermon: “If You Fall Down” Matthew 4:1-11

¹ Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. ³ The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; ⁹ and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is   written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him.’ ”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

RESPONSE TO THE WORD  

Hymn: “Be Still, My Soul”

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to your God to order and provide;

in every change, God faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake

to guide the future, as in the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

the Christ who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Psalter: The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

   maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;

   who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth at the right hand of God

the Father Almighty.

From thence he shall come

   to judge the quick 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.

“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen

Prayers of the People: Joys and concerns

   Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer   

SENDING FORTH

Hymn: “Grace Greater than Our Sin”

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

there where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

threaten the soul with infinite loss;

grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

brighter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see his face,

will you this moment his grace receive?

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God’s grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin.

Benediction