Prelude “Prelude and Fugue No. 1, in C major” from 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 by Dmitri Shostakovich

Call to Worship

*Processional NCH #1 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, your great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Not wanting, not wasting, but ruling in might; Your justice like mountains high soaring above, your clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

Your life is lifegiving – to both great and small; In all life you’re living, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves and as flowers, then wither and perish – but naught dims your powers. So perfect your glory, so brilliant your light, your angels adore you , all veiling their sight; All praise we now render as your angels do: in awe at the splendor of light hiding you.

*Unison Prayer

God, Amazing God… you send us out into the world full with your Holy Spirit. Send that Spirit now, as we enter these days of Lent. Nourish us with your grace and deliverance from those things that distract us from others. Forgive us when we miss the needs of others or forget your presence in our lives, assuring us that we need not be afraid. Ever.

Please be seated and observe a moment of silence…

Assurance of Pardon

Passing of the Peace

Gospel Reading Matthew 4:1-11

Children’s Message

A Prayer of Saint Patrick Musical Praise A Prayer of Saint Patrick By John Rutter

Sermon

Beneath the Cross of Jesus *Hymn NCH #190 Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Beneath the cross of Jesus I gladly take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus within my mind I see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; And from my grieving heart with tears two wonders I confess – the wonders of Christ's glorious love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, your shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of Christ's face; Content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

Please be seated

Prayer for Others and Ourselves

The Lord’s Prayer: The Prayer of Jesus

Invitation to Give and Offertory

glad praises we sing. Amen. *Doxology We praise thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator; in grateful devotion our tribute we bring. We lay it before thee, we come and adore thee, We bless thy holy name, glad praises we sing. Amen.

Invitation to the Table

Church Covenant   In response to God’s love, we covenant with each other… …to be faithful to the demands and inspiration of the eternal spirit, revealed in the event of Jesus Christ; ...to accept and respect each other with love and concern in our worship and witness;

…to reach out with the courage of our convictions In the cause of justice, liberation and equality for all; In this, we covenant to keep the ultimate promise; “I care, I am with you.”

Sharing of the Elements

Communion Responses The Bread of Life The Cup of Blessing

Please take a piece of bread and move to the cups. Dip your bread and consume it immediately. The cups with ribbons contain wine. The cups without ribbons contain grape juice.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: In your bulletin…

Benediction and Sending Forth

*Hymn NCH #473 Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of the Spirit, washed in Christ’s blood. Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight! Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blessed; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with God’s goodness, lost in Christ’s love. Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long;

Please be seated

Spirit of the Living God Choral Blessing Spirit of the Living God

Postlude A Closing Prayer by Don Besig

The time has come, O Lord, for us to leave this place. Guide us and protect us, and lead us in Thy grace. Wherever life may take us, as we go our separate ways, Help us share with others the things we’ve shared today.

May the peace of God, Creator, and the love of Christ, God’s son, guide us in the days ahead and strengthen us, each one. May the blessings of the spirit fill us from within. God bless us and return us to this fellowship once again. A-men, a-men, a-men, a-men, a-men.