March 9, 2025
First Sunday in Lent (Purple)
Prayer Focus: Central’s Confirmation Retreat
Welcome to worship at Central!
In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. Our clergy, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, and Rev. Meg Jiunnies, are grateful you’ve chosen to make Central a part of your day. If it is your first time worshiping with us, please fill out a Connect Card and bring it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!
New Members
This Sunday in the sanctuary, Eddy and Sara Harding will be received as new members. Please join us in welcoming them to Central!
New Sermon Series: Who’s Who in Lent
This week, we begin a new series called Who’s Who in Lent. Each week’s Gospel lesson invites us to ask ourselves what the Scripture teaches us and to consider what we can learn from asking about the “who” in each reading. Lent is a season of introspection, inviting us to take a spiritual inventory and prayerfully consider our faithfulness as disciples of Jesus.
Sermon Note
In the face of Satan’s temptation, Jesus names and confesses His identity in the fullness of God. We face daily temptations, but naming and confessing our identity as followers of Jesus, and as God’s own sons and daughters, can encourage us to resist temptation as well.
GATHERING The People Come Together in the Lord’s Name
PARISH CONCERNS
(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered to the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: RECREATION
OPENING VOLUNTARY ................................................................................................ Florence Price Allegretto
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR
(*All who are able are asked to stand.)
*GREETING
Leader: The season of Lent sets us on a journey.
People: The journey begins in the wilderness.
Leader: We follow the way of Jesus, who faced trials, trouble, temptation, and testing.
People: Like Jesus, we are not alone, for God leads us through the wilderness.
*HYMN IN PROCESSION 139 ..............................................................................
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
LOBE DEN HERREN
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 880 ............................................................................... The Nicene Creed
*GLORIA PATRI 71 .......................................................................................................... GREATOREX
Glory Be to the Father PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, our refugee and fortress, forgive us when we fail to trust in you. We fall to temptation; we are swayed by false words; we speak false words of our own. We choose our ease and comfort over your demanding claims upon us and upon the world. In turning from you, we settle for less than the abundant generosity you intend. Forgive us, we pray. Do not let us be put to shame, O God. Hear us as we call to you and show us your salvation. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
(All offer prayers of confession in silence.)
KYRIE ELEISON (Lord Have Mercy) (sung three times)
TAIZÉ KYRIE
ASSURANCE OF PARDON RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS 38 .............................................................. Eddy and Sara Harding
People: Thanks be to God! PROCLAMATION
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON .............................................................................. Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
ANTHEM ....................................................................................................................
Richard Shephard
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days Lord, who throughout these forty days for us didst fast and pray, teach us with thee to mourn our sins and close by thee to stay. As thou with Satan didst contend, and didst the victory win, O give us strength in thee to fight, in thee to conquer sin. As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst, so teach us, gracious Lord, to die to self, and chiefly live by thy most holy Word. Abide with us, that so, this life of suffering over past, an Easter of unending joy we may attain at last.
EPISTLE LESSON ........................................................................................................ Romans 10:8b-13
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
*ACT OF PRAISE 810 ..................................................................................................................
CHILDREN’S TIME
(Children are invited to the chancel. Following Children’s Time, children in 3K-1st grade will go with a leader to Children’s Church and may be picked up in room #145 or #147 after the service.)
*HYMN 410
I Want a Principle Within
LESSON ..................................................................................................................
Leader: The Word of the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God! SERMON
Who Is Jesus?
Who’s Who in Lent PRAYERS OF THE