March 9 , 2025
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE LENTEN SEASON
Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, of Song,
of Listening and of Contemplation
LENTEN THEME: “The Six Different Directions -- NORTH”
An excellent first quotation to internalize for the beginning of the Lenten season:
“Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself!!”
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Chair of Council: vacant
Reader: Nancy Gillean
Guest soloist: Krista de Silva
Gathering
*Indicates please rise as you are able
PRELUDE
CHOIR PROCESSIONAL
WELCOMING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
LAND ACKNOWLEGEMENT
The land on which this building sits is land that has been walked on, hunted on, and lived on for thousands of years. It is the Traditional land of the Blackfoot people, and it is with humility and respect that we give thanks that we are here, in the space where we are in touch with the Creator who made it and made us. May we honour the story of this land, the people who live here, and the call to live with respect and thanksgiving.
INTROIT VU # 112 “O God, How We Have Wandered”
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: Now is the time of returning…returning to ourselves in peaceful and contemplative time…now is the time of returning to God.
ALL: Now is the time of turning away…turning away from those things which bear us down, things which waste us away.
Leader: Now is the time of lifting…lifting some of our guilt’s heavy burden. Now is the time to begin to let go of the heaviness in our hearts, in our minds, and in our lives.
ALL: Now is the time of renewing…renewing heart, mind, and soul. Now is the time to start putting our lives together so that we can shine for all to see.
Leader: Now is the time…now is the time…for the Lenten journey can be a difficult one for some and we need to, all of us, begin our joyful pilgrimage together.
ALL: We are ready…our shoes are upon our feet…our hearts are open to the journeys’ hills and valleys, streams and open plains…come, O Spirit, into our journey and walk with us into our new sunrise.
A LENTEN EXTINGUISHING of CANDLES LITURGY
The Candle of Hope
Leader: As we reflect upon the uncertainty of the times we are a part of right now, we acknowledge……..keeps us grounded in the faith that makes us who we are.
(Extinguishing the Candle of Hope…)
ALL: God of the Lenten journey, as the smoke from this candle rises to greet you, may it take with it all our doubts. Offer us this day a stronger faith: that you are with us even though we doubt and question; that you are with us filling us with power and ability to face the challenges of this life; that you are with us helping us learn and grow through the desert times…Amen.
HYMN: MV # 84 “In You There Is a Refuge”
CENTERING PRAYER: (Unison)
Beneath the melting winter snow, many things lie concealed: bits of trash casually discarded, the debris of last year’s garden, the deposits of the neighbours’ pets, the rusting tools we forgot to put away. When the warm days come, as they have been and the snow melts, all will be revealed. Sometimes, our lives are like that, O God. We sometimes don’t want you to see them…we try to cover up the mess. But, in the light of your presence, nothing can be hidden. Have mercy upon each and every one of us and send the gentle rain of your love to wash us and re-clothe us in the greening promise of spring. O God, you have been the source of help in ages past, be also the source of hope for ages yet to come…we pray all of these words to you in the name of the Christ, in the name of the one who’s journey to Jerusalem begins in earnest…Amen.
“The Lord’s Prayer” Krista de Silva
Engaging With the Sacred Text
HEBREW SCRIPTURE (158)
DEUTERONOMY 26:1-11 (Nancy Gillean) (“My father was a wandering Aramean”…)
PSALM PASSAGE VU # 807 (Nancy Gillean)
Refrain: “And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of my hand”
Nancy: You who dwell in the shelter of your God,
who abide in God’s shadow for life,
ALL: say to your God: “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
Nancy: The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear:
ALL: under God’s wings your refuge,
God’s faithfulness your shield.
Refrain
Nancy: You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
ALL: though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come.
Nancy: For to the angels is given a command
to guard you in all your ways;
ALL: upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
Nancy: “Because they have set their love upon me I will deliver them,
ALL: I will uphold them because they know my name.
Nancy: When they call to me I will answer,
All: I will be with them in trouble;
Nancy: I will rescue and bring them to honour.
ALL: With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my saving power.”
Refrain
GOSPEL PASSAGE (835)
LUKE 4:1-13 (Rev. Jope) (Jesus is tested in the desert…)
SERMON / MESSAGE / HOMILY: “Looking to the North -- Hope”
*HYMN VU # 626 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus”
Responding
WE PRAISE GOD WITH OUR OFFERING
(Invitation – Rev. Jope) As we present our offerings this morning, may we all be reminded of the many sacrifices that have been made to build the Kin-dom of God here on earth. May these offerings be a blessing for those who may need blessings in their lives…the offering plates will now be handed out to you…
CHOIR SELECTION “Laudate Dominum” by: WA Mozart
Special Guest Singer: Krista de Silva
OFFERING DEDICATION PRAYER (Rev. Jope)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (A Time For Listening)
(Please turn to MV #85 “Take, O Take Me as I Am”
as this hymn will be used as a prayer response…)
“Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart and live in me.”
LORD’S PRAYER
BLESSING
*COMMISSIONING: When the temptations of this world seem overwhelming, Jesus has already faced them for us. When we despair that our needs will not be met, Jesus has already met them. When we find no value or purpose in life, Jesus has already restored us. When we fear that the powers of this world are too great, Jesus has already humbled them. Let us go into the world to claim our deliverance...Amen.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
RECESSIONAL
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SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025
--- Second Sunday in the Season of Lent ---
HEBREW SCRIPTURE - GENESIS 15:1-12, 17-18
EPISTLE SCRIPTURE - PHILIPPIANS 3:17 - 4:1
GOSPEL PASSAGE - LUKE 13:31-35