Worship Service for February 18, 2024

February 18, 2024 – First Sunday in Lent

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship

From the the PSW&D Lent Liturgy.

One: On this first Sunday of Lent, we find Jesus in the wilderness, facing temptation. And forty days in the wilderness is a long time.
All: We too experience wilderness times of temptation, challenge and change.

One: Yet even in the wilderness and among the wild beasts, the angels cared for Jesus.
All: As we make our way in the wilderness, we hear the good news that we are not alone — that the reign of God has come near in Christ.

Opening Hymn

“We come to ask your forgiveness” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 201). Words and music (both 1986; tune: “Welcome to ask”) by American composer Carey Landry (1944–). Arrangement by Tom Tilden. Words and music copyright © 1986 Carey Landry and North American Liturgy Resources; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

God of grace and glory,
you reveal your presence to this worried world in radiant glory and gentle whispers, on mountain tops and in shadowed valleys, in classrooms and hospital beds, in homes and churches, in the quiet of nature and on busy streets. Yours is the presence that pushes past our fear to calm us; yours is the love that transforms our doubt with reassurance. We have come to dwell in your goodness this day and to offer the praise you deserve, grateful for all the ways we meet you, Source, Saviour and Spirit of Life.

Lord our God, your eyes are pure, and they see all our wrongdoings. You know our sins: to ourselves in ignorance, and to others in willfulness, and by our selfish and faithless ways, we have grieved your Holy Spirit. Therefore, we plead with you.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

Hear the Word of Grace. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forebearers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish. Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Guildwood Senior Choir Presents a musical reflection

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions and music in the public domain.

Scripture Reading

Mark 1:9–15  <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Mark 1:9–15

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. 11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tested by Satan, and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels waited on him.

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Sermon

Mark 1:9, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan”.

The Gospel of Mark, which we read today, tells a beautiful story of Jesus and John the Baptist meeting and welcoming each other, each one blessing the other. It reveals what can be experienced when two people, serious about building the kingdom of God in our human hearts, welcome each other in humility. We may better understand this encounter between Jesus and John the Baptist in depth by looking further back.

May we listen to Mark 1:4–8:

4 So John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

John the Baptist and Jesus both loved God and desired the establishment of God’s kingdom in the hearts and lives of God’s people. They both agreed that change was necessary, but they approached the troubled world in very different ways. … They looked at the world differently and practiced their faith in different ways. When they met together, they could easily spend hours in arguing and debating their differences in their theologies and practices, accusing each other of not being healthy or realistic, but instead, they showed deep respect for one another. This is how John the Baptist received and welcomed Jesus.  Mark 1:7–8, 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

This is how Jesus welcomed John the Baptist. Mark 1:9, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan”.

Their humility led them to experience this:  Mark 1:10–11, 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. 11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved with you I am well pleased.”

When Jesus lowered himself than John the Baptist in humility, when Jesus became a servant washing the feet of his disciples, when Jesus became a sinner eating with tax collectors, when Jesus became a leper touching the hand of other lepers, when Jesus became a criminal and died on the cross with them, he heard the voice of love, not the voice of humiliation, not the voice of darkness or condemnation, but the voice of God who loves us unconditionally.

The gospel of Mark invites us join Jesus building the kingdom of God together by welcoming each person we meet. It does not mean we can force each person to like us, but it means we remember God through each person we meet whether for an hour or for years. It is when we welcome others, we welcome Jesus Christ into our hearts.

Please, join in our Sunday morning worship in person or livestream to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“Abide with me” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 794). Words (1847) by English Anglican divine and hymnwriter Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847). Music (1861; tune: “Eventide”) by English organist William Henry Monk (1823–1889). Descant by British composer Florence Margaret Spencer Palmer (sometimes known as Peggy Spencer Palmer; 1900–1987). Words and music public domain. Descant copyright © Oxford University Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Offering

May we present our gifts to God in response to what we have received from God?

Musical Meditation

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th” with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

O God, the source of all good things, we bring to you our gifts:, our earthly things, the love of our hearts, and the service of our lives. All this we give through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

Almighty and everlasting God, you love all that you have made, and you forgive the sins of all  who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts, that we, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive your  merciful  forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, your Son our lord, who lives and reigns together with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Almighty God, assembled around the throne of your majesty, we give you most humble and hearty thanks that you have visited us from on high and have enriched us with your heavenly blessings, help us, we pray you, not to lose them by the attractions and distractions of this world, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“My song is love unknown” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 220). Words (1664) by English Anglican minister and hymnwriter Samuel Crossman (1623–1683). Music (1918; tune: “Love unknown”) by English composer and music teacher John Ireland (1879–1962). Words and music public domain.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Choral Amen

“Go Now in Peace”. Words by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–) and American lyricist Nancy Price (1958–). Music by Don Besig. Words and music copyright © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, a division of Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Postlude

Copyright © 2024 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

Last updated 2024-02-17 21:45 – First version.