This is part of the worship series,
"A Table in the Wilderness”
Introduction
Letter of Invitation | Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4
Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday | Communion Liturgy
Prayer Path: A Journey in the Wilderness
First Sunday of Lent
Biblical figure: Jesus
God’s wilderness provision: angel food cakes
Scripture: Matthew 4 / Mark 9
Call to Worship
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
he led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
For he satisfies the thirsty,
and the hungry he fills with good things.
—Psalm 107:1–9 NRSVUE
Children’s Scripture Summary
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
—Mark 1:9–13 NIV
Sermon
“A Table in the Wilderness for Jesus”
Sermon Notes
“And angels attended him.” Jesus sets the example of provision in the wilderness. Despite modern conveniences and protections, we know that we still feel vulnerable to the anxieties of the world, especially in these last few years. The biblical witness is that no place is as transforming as the wilderness, and we can go there because Jesus went there first. The preacher could weave in an appropriate introduction to this series and how people are invited to participate, especially if the outdoor prayer path is used in conjunction with the worship series.
Music Suggestions
“Where I’m Standing Now” Wickham
“There’s A Voice in the Wilderness” Milligan
“Forty Days and Forty Nights” Smyttan, arr. McConnell, SATB
“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” Hernaman
“Jesus, Tempted in the Desert” Stuempfle
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Lent—First Sunday in Lent
Year B: Lent—First Sunday in Lent
