02. Year B - First Sunday in Lent

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VERSION: 29 April 2002

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT, YEAR B

In 2003: 9 Mar

In 2006: 5 Mar

In 2009: 1 Mar

In 2012: 26 Feb

In 2015: 22 Feb

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Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Lent season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

God says: I have set my bow in the clouds,

and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  (Gen 9:13 NRSV)

OR, use one of the standard Lent Sentences in the document 'Lent season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION OF SINS

In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther teaches that:

Baptism remains forever.

Even though we fall from it and sin,

nevertheless we always have access to it . . .

But we need not again have the water poured over us.

Even if we were immersed in water a hundred times,

it would nevertheless be only one baptism,

and the effect and significance of baptism would continue and remain.

Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to baptism,

to resume and practise what had earlier been begun but abandoned.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ:

let us draw near to God our Father,

to repent of our sins,

and, in the name of the Lord Jesus,

claim again the forgiveness we received in baptism.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Traditional

O Lord, mercifully hear our prayer,

and stretch out your mighty hand

to defend us from those

who rise up against us;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Lord, in mercy listen to our prayers.

Stretch out your mighty hand

to defend us from all the evil we face.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

OR, alternative

(Let us pray for self-discipline and obedience. [silence])

Almighty and merciful God,

your Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the desert,

and was tempted as we are,

yet without sin.

Help us to discipline ourselves

in obedience to your Spirit,

so that, as you know our weakness,

we may also know your power to save.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new (revised alternative)

(Let us pray for strength in temptation. [silence])

Almighty and merciful God,

your Son fasted in the desert

and was tempted as we are,

yet without sin.

Protect us when we are tempted,

and help us to resist the devil

by trusting in your word.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING

Genesis 9:8-17 God's covenant with Noah

PSALM

Psalm 25:1-10

Antiphon:

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant. (Ps 25:10 NRSV)

SECOND READING

1 Peter 3:18-22 The flood a symbol of baptism

VERSE

Use either the Verse given in the order of service or the following verse.

(Jesus said:) The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;

repent, and believe in the good news. (Mark 1:15 NRSV)

GOSPEL

Mark 1:9-15 The baptism, temptation, and preaching of Jesus

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming from God

and overcoming sin and evil for us.

Lead us to repent and believe.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for washing away our sins,

and for promising to be our God forever.

As our real life is with Christ,

help us to live as members of your kingdom,

trusting and serving you

and giving ourselves in love to others.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights in the desert. Let us pray for all who hunger in body or soul, that our Father in heaven would satisfy their needs.

The regular response, OR:

God of power and might,

save us in the time of trial.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Father in heaven, receive the prayers of your sons and daughters who seek your favour. Free us from all evil, so that we may serve you in peace and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR

Almighty Creator of the universe, and loving Father of us all:

Every rainbow reminds us that you are in control of the earth, of nature, of the seasons, and of the end. Your Spirit enriches the earth with the gift of life to all creatures, including all the varieties of birds and animals. Help us to care for the environment so that the earth is a healthier place to live for our children and all the generations who follow us. Help us to live like the humble earthworms who leave the soil richer and more fertile after using it, so that your name is then respected and honoured by all peoples.

We thank you for your Son, our Lord Jesus, who has taken all our sins, especially those we are ashamed of from our past, and paid for them on the cross even before we were born. Renew us to be more humble and loving like he is, so that we can be walking advertisements for you wherever you lead us in the coming weeks.

By your Holy Spirit, help us to swim in and enjoy the waters of our baptism in the way that surfies love to live in the waters and ride on the waves each day. Let us live with a good conscience along with all your people who flock to the living waters on the shore of eternity, as we anticipate the resurrection we share with our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Have mercy on

Send your Spirit to strengthen your children as they travel like backpackers over the earth, moving on each day a little closer to their permanent home with Jesus in heaven.

Bless the work of those who minister like angels to the sick and dying, to the people who are depressed and to those who want to give up on life here in your world. Watch over those who work in dangerous occupations to make the world a safer place for us to enjoy.

As we come to your table today, we thank you for filling our deepest hunger with the bread of life, Jesus himself. Quench our deepest thirst through the wine of his suffering, which was too deep for us to drink. We watch in wonder and praise as we focus on him during this Lenten season. In these days draw us closer to the one who died for us, for his sake.

Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He has taken on himself our sin,

so that we might die to sin

and live to righteousness.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION

Every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup

we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

For a Lent post-communion prayer, see the document 'Lent season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Almighty and merciful God,

your Son Jesus Christ resisted the temptation

to turn stones into bread when he was hungry,

but he has fed us with the bread of life.

Help us to discipline ourselves

in obedience to your Spirit,

so that, as you know our weakness,

we may also know your power to save.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) Christ our crucified Saviour draw you to himself,

so that you may find in him the assurance of sins forgiven

and the gift of eternal life; . . .

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: Genesis 9:8-17

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading:1 Peter 3:18-22

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Mark 1:9-15

LHS

AT

TIS

When Christ our Lord to Jordan came

The following song is based on the hymn 'Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam', by Martin Luther, translated by HFW Proeve, adapted to fit the tune Greensleeves (LHS 746) by David Sch¸tz.

When Christ our Lord to Jordan came,

his Father's will obeying,

John baptised him beneath the waves,

his mission thus portraying.

This was his holy sign

to cleanse us from transgression,

and by his holy death

he frees us from oppression

Hear then and mark the message well,

God's own clear declaration,

what we must learn baptism is

to keep from aberration.

With water we baptise -

this is God's will and pleasure -

connected with his word

and Spirit without measure.

To us this truth with ample proof

through words and signs are given.

From Jordan's banks we clearly hear

the Father's voice from heaven:

This is my own dear Son,

with whom I am delighted;

listen and follow him,

all you by him invited.

Now God's own Son himself is here

in youthful manhood standing;

we see the Holy Spirit too,

in form of dove descending.

Here Father, Spirit, Son,

makes promises compelling:

in those who are baptised

our God will make his dwelling.

The Lord to his disciples says:

Go out, teach every nation

that lost in sin, they must repent,

to flee from condemnation;

Believe and be baptised -

you shall be saved forever;

the kingdom now is yours -

newborn and dying never.

If lacking faith, we still reject

this grace so freely given,

we stay in sin, condemned to death,

and to despair are driven.

Good works will count for naught;

whatever holy things we do,

sin dwells in everyone;

ourselves we cannot rescue.

Our mortal eyes can only see

mere water as we pour it,

but faith in spirit sees the power

of Jesus' blood and merit.

Here flows the crimson flood,

dyed with the blood of Jesus;

this washes Adam's heirs

from all our sin and frees us.

PSALM 25:1-10

For musical settings of Psalm 25:1-10, see Music Packages 5, 6, 7 and 9. TIS 14, O Lord, make me know your ways, is a version of Psalm 25:1,4-5,8-10,14.

John Bell's paraphrase of Psalm 25 'I lift my soul to you, O God' may be found on page 14 of Psalms of Patience, Protest and Praise (c) 1993 Wild Goose Publications.

Note: The Iona Community is willing to allow a church or worship assembly to reproduce the words only of a song from this publication on a service sheet or overhead projector transparency that is to be used once only on a non-commercial basis...provided that the title of the song and name of the copyright owner are clearly shown.

Alternatively, the following paraphrase of Psalm 25:1-10 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune 'Die Sach ist dein', LH 228. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

      My God, in you I trust;

Do not let me be put to shame;

      don't let my foes rejoice.

Do not let those who wait for you

be disappointed in their hope.

Let them be disappointed who

have openly rejected you.

      Show me your ways,

      O Lord, teach me your paths.

Teach me and lead me in your truth,

      my Saviour and my God;

I wait for you the whole day long,

      do not forget me, Lord.

Be mindful of your mercy, Lord,

and of your steadfast love of old.

Forget and wipe away my sins

according to your steadfast love.

      Remember me,

      Lord, for your goodness' sake.

The Lord, my God, is good and just,

      therefore he shows the way

to sinners who return to him

      and those with humble hearts.

He shows the humble what is right,

and teaches them to know his will.

The paths of God are steadfast love

and faithfulness for those who keep

      his covenant

      and listen to his word.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

GENESIS 9:8-17: It is not difficult to imagine that after the trauma of the flood, Noah and his family would have felt a great deal of fear and trembling lest the same thing should happen again. God's reassuring covenant is accordingly given in repetitive striking terms, including the earth, all creatures down to the smallest, and to human beings. God binds himself in his sovereign freedom to this covenant, thus promoting a trusting assurance.  The beauty of the rainbow is in keeping with his care.

1 PETER 3:18-22: St Peter clearly outlines the great central doctrine of Christianity: Jesus, the holy and righteous one, suffered under the anger of the Father. While the judgment of wrath was executed fully on Christ, yet for us the freedom of righteousness was bestowed through his death once and for all.  Peter parallels this to the flood. The water which effected judgment on the world was the means of saving faithful Noah and his family. Baptism now is similar. Its water drowns the sin of the Christian and bestows the cleansing forgiveness and new life sealed by the resurrection.

MARK 1: 9-15: The baptism of Jesus (who needed neither confession nor forgiveness) marks the beginning of his ministry as the Messiah. The voice of the Father and the visible imbuing of the Spirit attest his divine mission and authorise him as the Son of God the Father. Satan recognises the implications against his power and immediately sets out to wreck the divine plan, unsuccessfully. Note the prime aspect of Christ's ministry and the essence of the Kingdom's objective, namely, repentance and faith in the good news of God's gracious forgiveness.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading from Genesis could be accompanied by a picture like the illustration in the TEV Bible for verse 13, or by a picture or symbol of a rainbow. This picture or symbol could remain on display for the second reading also. The gospel could be accompanied by a picture or pictures like the illustration(s) in the TEV for Matthew 4:3 (temptation) and/or John 1:32 (baptism).

RAINBOW

On a more ambitious level, a paper rainbow could be constructed over the whole sanctuary, from one side of the altar to the other, so that the people actually enter through the rainbow (a symbol of God's covenant with humankind) to approach the altar for communion.

OR

If there is a large clear glass window somewhere in the church that catches the light, a rainbow may be constructed by sticking coloured cellophane to the window for a stained-glass effect.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

DRAMATISING THE READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel, from Mark 1:9-15, could be read by three readers: narrator (the pastor), voice from heaven, Jesus.

OR

One reader could read the narration of Jesus' baptism, a second reader could read the passage concerning Jesus' temptation, and a third reader could read about Jesus' preaching.

CHILDREN

RAINBOW

The children could be involved in decorating the church with a rainbow, or painting a picture of a rainbow to hold up during the first (and perhaps, second) reading.

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN: ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

For a children's address, a large cardboard boat could be made (like an ark), and placed in the front of the church. The children can be asked to climb inside the boat, as the pastor explains that God used a big boat to save Noah and his family from the flood. The pastor can also explain that the church is like a boat that saves us from drowning in our sins. He may also explain that the place where the people sit in the church is sometimes called the nave, which is an ancient word for boat. So we are all in the same boat, as God saves us from our sins.

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is 'Jesus is tempted'. Material for this story may be found in

Original Edition, 1 Lent, year C

OR

Revised RCL Edition, 1 Lent, year B