Worship Service for March 9, 2025 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

March 9, 2025 – First Sunday in Lent

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, March 9, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, March 9.

Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.

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 (PWS&D Insert)

One: In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted to abandon God
All: for the false hopes of indulgence, arrogance and certainty.

One: During our Lenten journey, we recognize we too are tempted
All: to turn aside from seeking only God and God’s ways.

One: As we worship, may we celebrate all the bounty of God’s grace
All: and always return with mindfulness and gratitude to God.

Opening Hymn

“Can a little child like me” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 441). Words by American author and editor Mary Mapes Dodge (1931–1905). Alternate words used in the hymnbook (1997) by The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Music (19^th century; tune: “Thanksgiving”) by American composer William Kipp Bassford (1839–1902). Original words and music in the public domain. Alternate words copyright © 1997 The Presbyterian Church in Canada; used by permission.

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

Holy and merciful God you are our refuge and strength, we rejoice in your grace and love which has called creation into being, and makes all life complete. We praise you for Jesus Christ who reveals your loving purposes for all people; in his face we glimpse your love; in his life we see the pattern for our lives. We bless you for the Holy Spirit who guides us and strengthens us, drawing us into the embrace of your tender love. And so we praise you, O God, our eternal, creating father who loves us with motherly care, united with Christ, our saviour, and your Holy Spirit, the breath of life, Three in One, now and always.

Almighty and most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in things we have done, and things we have neglected to do. We have held back from giving to protect what we have. We have not trusted in your goodness and relied on the world’s empty promises instead. Forgive what we have done and direct who we shall become. Help us to serve you by serving your world with generous spirits.

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 and believe the good news! Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone. The new life has come. Know that you are forgiven, and so, in Christ, forgive one another.
All: Thanks be to God.

The Peace

One: May the peace of Christ be with us all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Musical presentation

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

Luke 4:1–13 <– 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.

Luke 4:1–13

Chapter 4 Verse 1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”

9 Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person or on-line, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“I, the Lord of sea and sky” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 592). Words (1981) by American composer and Christian songwriter Daniel Laurent Schutte (1947–), based on Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3:4. Music (1983; tune: “Here I am, Lord”) by Schutte with harmony by Michael Pope and John Weissrock. Words copyright © 1981 and music copyright © 1983 by Daniel L. Schutte and New Dawn Music; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Offering

The season of Epiphany begins January 6, the day celebrating the journey of the Magi to greet Christ, the new-born king. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Our gifts are not so exotic, but what we offer today and throughout the year honours Jesus as Lord of our lives and Saviour of the world.

Offering – Musical Reflection

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

Generous God, we thank you for all the goodness we receive in Christ and in creation. Bless the gifts we offer to share in the work of the kingdom Jesus declared, and bless our lives so that we may be witnesses to his love and mercy. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

God of grace, you are our Judge and our Hope. Transform us with your love and harness our energy for your purposes in the world into which Christ came and for which he died. Hear us as we pray for the world, the church and our community:

We pray for your creation, staggering under the demands of human activity and expectation. May this planet be held in reverence in every culture. Where we are tempted to use resources carelessly, where human lifestyles endanger homes and habitats of other peoples or other species, where immediate gain tempts people to give no thought for the future, send your wisdom to guide citizens and decision makers to act responsibly. We pray for the Church facing the challenges of rebuilding ministry and mission in times of uncertainties and possibility.

Where congregations are tempted to guard traditions and resist new possibilities, where members magnify differences instead of celebrating our unity in Christ, where energy for leadership and community life has grown tired, send your healing and transforming grace.

We pray for relationships tested by conflicts and the lack of mutual understanding Where families are tempted to nurse grudges and harbour complaints, where friendships have been wounded by misunderstanding or neglect, where workplace tensions have arisen over clashing opinions or exhausting demands, send your reconciling and restoring mercy.

We pray for the world filled with increasing threats and conflicts. Where countries are torn by unrest and persecution, where communities are diminished by prejudice and discrimination, where those with power and authority degrade or dismiss their critics, empower those who work for just solutions and advocate for the powerless.

We pray for all who are troubled and find it hard to face uncertain times, we pray for those who face illness or loss of any kind, for those challenged by economic hardship, and for those faced with the reality of death, their own or of someone dear. In silence, we name those on our hearts this day:

Embrace each one with your compassion and courage.

Even as we remember the many challenges around us, we give you thanks for the blessings we know, for moments of pleasure, for laughter shared, for conversations that brightened a day. Thank you for your steadfast love and the comfort we draw from your presence with us in all things. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Be thou my vision” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 461). Words (8^th century) unknown Irish. English words by Irish linguist Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880–1931), set to verse (1912) by Anglo-Irish scholar Eleanor Henrietta Hull (1860–1935). Music (tune: “Slane”) traditional Irish. This harmony by English minister and musician Erik Reginald Routley (1917–1982); this descant by English hymnwriter John Whitridge Wilson (1905–1992). English words and verse setting, along with music in the public domain. Harmony copyright © 1975 and descant copyright © 1983 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

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 love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

Postlude

Last updated 2025-03-06 22:30 – First version