SONG
The opening song is, “I will trust you in the darkness”, courtesy of Emu Music. It is from their new album ‘Joy In Sorrow’ album, which is a collection of songs for God’s people to call to him in sorrow and cry out to him in praise.If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5FxET7XBEo
Call to worship
We come to hear the Good News, to embody the love of God in Christ as we share our lives with others
You may like to light a candle at this time.
God’s truth is revealed in Jesus Christ the light of the world. May the light shine for the hope of the world.
Acknowledgment of country
As we begin, it is appropriate to recognise that this great land has been home to our first nations peoples for many thousands of years. Therefore, let us also acknowledge those Aboriginal peoples who are the first habitants of the regions in which we dwell and honour them for their care of the land.
Prayer
Let us pray. Wonder of wonders! God is to be found within our wildernesses, deep in the centre of our harshest places, and placing a caring hand under all our questions. Be known to us here, O God, whether we are on firm ground or the shifting sands of indecision. Come, gracious Jesus, come and walk with us. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 4:1-13, and the words are included below. There is also an optional video by the Lumo group underneath the words.
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.'”
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Here is the dramatic re-enactment of the reading by the Lumo group. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWvMMFfw7l8
Message
The message today is brought to us by Keith Robinson, from the HomeFaith Community, who is speaking to us about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-13.
Jesus read the scriptures, fasted and prayed often, and he was able to resist the various temptations and challenges to conform in his life. What can each of us learn from this?
Before a time of prayer you may like to spend some time in silence sitting still. Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Simply be still and open to God. You may prefer to do this while listening to the following below.
Optional reflective music
The reflective music is, ‘Hear me, Lord’, compliments of Emu Music. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF1VKZiMxP0
Prayers for Others
Drawn by God’s love and abundant faithfulness to us, let us pray.
Visit us now in those areas of our lives where there is wilderness, O Christ. Hold us firm and give us the understanding and words we need to face the challenges of life. Help us to stand tall when we start to lose hope, and correct us when we fool ourselves.
Silence:
Make transparent the wiles of those who would tempt us. Help us to resist those who try to deceive us with false voices of sweetness and reason while attempting to capture our very souls.
Silence:
Be with all those today who need your company in the wilderness of their lives. We pray for:
Ukraine …..
our country and the places in which we live ……
for all people of faith …..
those people we know …..
and lastly, we pray for ourselves …..
Remind us, O Christ, of your true way. May we tread the path of humility, justice and compassion in this world, and offer love which is not founded on our own gain. May we find the peace which is beyond all understanding. We pray this in faith. Amen.
Blessing
The world is often found by passing through the wilderness. Go in courage because Christ has walked that way before us. Bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
SONG
The closing song is the welsh hymn, “Guide me, O thou great Redeemer”. It is sung by the ‘St. Michaels’ singers’ with trumpets blazing. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j48TLIRb4Q
Fun Activities
Lenten Candles
This Lenten Candles Family Activity is a simple, yet profound way to walk through Lent as a family and prepare your hearts for the hope of Easter. For details go to the following web site:
http://thelittlesandme.com/lenten-candles-family-activity/
Make a labyrinth
The labyrinth is an ancient way of prayer. Walking a labyrinth is like taking a tiny Pilgrimage that we walk alone with God. It can be an intensely relaxing and releasing experience. It can also be challenging. If you have a small space, such as a patio, the following video shows you how to make a labyrinth. It is surprisingly simple, all you need is some chalk! If you have trouble connecting, the video can also be found at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVLA0nLsAek
Finger labyrinth
See below for how to make a finger labyrinth! Walk the labyrinth with a finger. If you want you can download and print the file.
Take time to rest and refresh
Song
Follow the sun (Xavier Rudd) on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E1bNmyPWww
Resources
The opening prayer and closing blessing were taken from the Saltbush service for this week, which was adapted from: Dorothy McRae-McMahon: 2006. Liturgies for High Days: Page 52 Lent 1.
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/lent-1-wilderness-luke-4-1-13/
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