This is part of the worship series
"The Lord, Our Shepherd"
Introduction
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5
Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | Easter
Home Devotions
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Sunday Morning
Scripture
Philippians 4:10–19; Matthew 6:25–34
Sermon
“What do you want?”
Sermon Ideas
The message began by referring to a humorous article that described America’s snack habits and made personality inferences based on the snack preference. I went on to speak about the difference between needs and wants, and God’s promise to give us true wealth, that is, “the glorious riches of Christ.”
The message concluded with Psalm 73:25: “Earth has nothing I desire besides you.”
Song Suggestions
“I Offer My Life” Cloninger, Moen
“More Precious than Silver” Maranatha! Music
“Psalm 23” SNC 181
“Seek Ye First” Lafferty
Litany of Confession for all Weeks
This litany, based on Isaiah 53, can be used for each of the services in this Psalm 23 Lenten series.
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Reader 1: |
Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17 |
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Reader 2: |
My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. —Jeremiah 50:6 |
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People: |
We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6 |
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Reader 1: |
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4 |
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Reader 2: |
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36 |
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People: |
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6 |
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Reader 1: |
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24 |
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Reader 2: |
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25 |
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People: |
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6 |
Wednesday "Strolling With the Shepherd" Service
Opening Hymn
"The Lord's My Shepherd" 1650 Scottish Psalter
Gathering Litany:
From Bethlehem to Nazareth,
from Jordan to Jericho,
from Bethany to Jerusalem,
from then to now,
Come, Lord Jesus.
To heal the sick,
to mend the broken-hearted,
to comfort the disturbed,
to disturb the comfortable,
to cleanse the temple,
to liberate faith from convention,
Come, Lord Jesus.
To carry the cross,
to lead the way,
to shoulder the sin of the world
and take it away,
Come, Lord Jesus.
Today, to this place, to us,
Come, Lord Jesus.
—Source unknown
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 12:18–29
Sung Response
“Holy. Holy, Holy” Heber
Scripture Reading
I John 2: 15–17
Litany of Response:
When the advertisements offer us everything,
if we only have the money;
and you offer everything
if only we do without,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When the easier way to succeed
means we lose our integrity,
but the harder way
means we lose our pride,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When society wants us to conform and be nice,
and you want us to rebel and be real,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When our friends don't respect
what we count as important,
but you call us to persist and overcome,
Lord, help us to say “no” to the world
and “yes” to you.
When we feel alone and forsaken by you
and are tempted to forsake you in turn,
but you have promised your enduring presence
even when we don’t feel it,
Lord, help us to say “no” to our doubts
and “yes” to you.
When we have come to a crossroads
and we don't know where to turn,
but you call us to walk in faith with you,
Lord, help us to say “no” to our doubts
and “yes” to you.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who has been preached among you
is not one who is “yes” and “no.”
He is God’s “yes”—
For it is he who is the “yes”
to all God’s promises.
—David Koll © 2002 ReformedWorship.org CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Scripture
1 Corinthians 1:26–31
A Time of Reflection
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A Time of Prayer
Scripture
Matthew 6:32–33
Closing Song
“Seek Ye First” Lafferty
Revised Common Lectionary
Years A, B, C: Holy Week—Tuesday of Holy Week
Year A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent
