First Sunday in Lent

February 21, 2010

1. Gathered by the Spirit, let us return to the Lord our God, offer of our prayers of thanksgiving and pray for the church, the world and all who yearn for new life.

With my prayer, "Lord, in your love," you are invited to respond, "HEAR OUR PRAYER."

(Congregation may be invited to be seated for prayer.)

A brief silence

2. Faithful God, teach us to live faithfully in the covenant you made with us in our baptism, defend us from all temptations of this world, and deliver us from all that draws us away for you.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

3. Lord we pray for your guiding Spirit on this congregation, our neighboring congregations and on our sister congregations that together they might be faithful in their call to serve you and your people. In particular this morning we pray for Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Surrey and their pastor, Henry Guo; and for Hope Lutheran Church in Nanaimo, as they prepare to welcome their new pastor, Terry Richardson. Fill all communities of faith with the courage to be faithful to you even when their efforts go unrecognized.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

4. Send your gift of peace upon the whole world. Grant wisdom to all who govern, and uphold the multitude who suffer from repression, violence, hunger and disease. Continue to call people of care with a willingness to leave their homes of comfort to work with and on behalf of those who are in need of a caring presence.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

5. Guide and empower each of us to be diligent in the care of your creation that all might enjoy the bounty and the beauty of the earth for generations to come.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

6. We give you thanks for all your blessings both earthly and spiritual that you give daily to all people.

- We thank you for all who have the gift of another birthday or another anniversary, and for those who have known the gift of new life;

- we thank you for giving us the power and the desire to withstand daily temptations;

- we thank you for giving us the power and the desire to confess our faith in you and your presence;

- we name our special, personal reasons for thankfulness aloud or quietly in our heart at this time…

Lord God, continue to fill our lives with expression of gratitude for the free gift of our salvation.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

7. Be with those who are sick, in pain, addicted or lonely especially those we name aloud or quietly in our heart at this time…

May all find comfort, refuge and strength in you, and may they find it in our words and in our deeds in this coming week.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

8. Grant us a holy Lent as you sustain and encourage us in our spiritual disciplines of prayer and sacrifice. God of resurrection, be with all who are preparing for baptism and who are searching for meaning in this life.

Lord, in your love:

HEAR OUR PRAYER.

9. Almighty God, you have commanded us to pray, and you promise to hear us. Hear the prayers of your people and grant us all that we need, for the sake of the one in whose name we pray, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. AMEN.

Romans 10:8b-13

But what does it say?

'The word is near you,

on your lips and in your heart'

…. The scripture says, 'No one who believes in him will be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.' Jesus answered him, 'It is written, "One does not live by bread alone." '

Then the devil* led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil* said to him, 'To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.' Jesus answered him, 'It is written,

"Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him." '

Then the devil* took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

"He will command his angels concerning you,

to protect you",

and

"On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone." '

Jesus answered him, 'It is said, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." ' When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.