We welcome everyone to our In-Person and Virtual Worship Service for the first Sunday in Lent.
If you know anyone who wants to register for the virtual services, they can signup at https://portwallisunitedchurch.ca/virtual as everyone logging in needs their own registration. ALL are welcome!
Masks/vaccinations are highly encouraged for in-person services
Service Documents to view/print at home.
Lent 1 26 February 2023
Port Wallis United Church
is an open Congregation that affirms you as a child of God,
made in God’s Image, and loved by God.
WELCOME / BIENVENUE / FAILTE / PJILA’DIK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND
CALL TO WORSHIP
People of God, let us gather to walk with Christ.
God is with us and God will guide us.
The journey may be difficult, but….
God is with us and God will guide us.
As a community of faith,
God is with us and God will guide us.
Faithful is our God.
INTROIT (3 X singing)
In the midst of darkness the light of Christ is shining,
Faithful, faithful is our God!
In the midst of darkness the light of Christ is shining,
Faithful, faithful is our God.
PRAYER FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD’S LIGHT
Eternal God, let the Light of Christ shine before us:
as a Map, guiding our journey,
as a Lighthouse, piercing through life’s storms,
and as a Porchlight, welcoming us home.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who taught our souls to sing of your Glory in these words:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
( # 960 in Voices United)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God of all Time, and present at this time,
may the Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds
as we open the pages of Scripture.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
OPENING OF THE BIBLE (3 X singing # 840 in Voices United)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Gospel – Matthew 4: 1–11 the temptation of Jesus
Psalm 32
I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.
Blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven,
whose transgressions are pardoned by God.
Blessed is the one whose sins are erased by the LORD,
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.
When I remained silent, and did not confess my sins,
when I did not speak with the LORD,
the poison that was in my soul ate away at my heart,
my guilt caused me to groan all day long.
my strength was sapped by shame.
day and night the weight of transgression was heavy on me;
Then I cried out to the LORD and said,
I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.
I acknowledged my sin to You, O God,
I did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Let all the faithful turn to You for here You may be found.
Here the suffocation of the seas of sin are stopped!
You, O God, are my shelter, my hiding place;
You are my protector in times of trouble.
You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Therefore, I turn to You.
I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.
You, O LORD, say to me, Page 3
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will offer you counsel and watch over you.
You, O LORD, say to me,
Do not be like a horse or a mule, which have no understanding, which must be controlled by bit and bridle.
I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in God.
Therefore, rejoice in the LORD and be glad,
Sing, of God’s forgiveness all you who are upright in heart!
Sing with a loud voice.
I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and every shall be,
world without end, Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, we set our lives before You.
We acknowledge that there are times when our faith is as dry as a dead dinosaur, and as comforting as a desert’s sun.
We acknowledge that there are times when our spirituality
is as substantial as a ghost and as enlivening as a prison cell.
Breathe into us the breath of life.
Forgive what is past and show us a better way.
Forgive our mistakes and give us a new chance.
Forgive our sins and restore us to our station
as children of the Eternal One.
Turn us around and start us on a journey toward life.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION and ASSURANCE OF PARDON
HYMN # 95 (MV) HOW DEEP THE PEACE
How deep the peace, the confidence,
of those whose wrongs are forgiven,
How deep the peace, the confidence
of those whose hearts are healed.
LEARNING TIME and PRAYER
In peace, dear God, I come to You
through Jesus Christ who makes me new
And while I run or play or rest, be with those whom I love best,
Guide me in your Holy Way, as You walk with me each day, AMEN.
HYMN # 115 (VU) JESUS, TEMPTED IN THE DESERT
REFLECTION on the BIBLICAL LESSONS
OFFERTORY HYMN # 196 (MV)
We will take what you offer, we will live by your word;
We will love one another and be fed by you, Lord.
We will take what you offer, we will live by your word;
We will love one another and be fed by you, Lord.
PASTORAL PRAYER
Our prayers are interspersed with the singing of the following response.
It reminds us that God is already answering our prayers even as we pray.
Glory to You, forever and ever.
Grâce soit rendu à Toi, Seigneur Jésus.
HYMN # 65 (MV) WHEN WE ARE TESTED
COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION
EXTINGUISHING OF THE TABLE CANDLES
Mention someone’s name and hold them in your heart.
CHORAL PARTING PRAYER (VU #298)
When you walk from here, when you walk from here
Walk with Justice, walk with mercy,
and with God’s humble care.
Linnea Good 1991
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE CHURCH COMMUNITY
Would you like to carry in the ceramic Dove and light the Candles on the Communion Table some Sunday? Just let the Office know.