ORDER OF WORSHIP
MARCH 9, 2025 10:30 AM
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 91)
Leader: You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
PEOPLE: will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Leader: Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place,
PEOPLE: No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
Leader: For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
PEOPLE: On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
Leader: When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.
PEOPLE: With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.
INVOCATION
God of all creation, we come to worship you in scripture, song, and prayer. We seek to deepen our faith in understanding of your pathways of love and grace even as we witness the majesty of your creation in the surrounding world and throughout the farthest reaches of the universe. By the grace of Jesus, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Safe in the Shadow of the Lord “ Red #513
CALL TO CONFESSION
Even though we often fail ourselves and each other, our God never fails us. Let each of us draw closer to him as we pray together.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Merciful Creator, we must admit that we are often more likely to share your Word among ourselves and with those most like us than in obeying the great commission to spread your Gospel throughout the world. Forgive us our prejudices and timidity. Lead us by your Holy Spirit to bring the joy we have found in you to the world around us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Our Creator knows each of us better than we know ourselves and continues to reach to us through unending love; and thus, by the grace of Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- Nicene Creed (Abridged)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen
and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Spoken through the Prophets, worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the eternal life to come. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “On Eagles Wings” See Insert
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals and listens. Open wounded hearts to the balm of your Word. Speak to us in clear tones so that we might feel our spirits leap for joy and skip with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 John Safran
NEW TESTAMENT READING Romans 10: 9-13
GOSPEL READING Luke 4: 1-13
SERMON MESSAGE Temptation and Resistance John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORDS PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS:
Let us all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus.
OFFERTORY “Forty Days and Forty Nights”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “May the Lord, Mighty God” Red #843
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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