Call to Celebration
In God’s presence we gather as a community of seekers.
Today, we will hear narratives that will spark a different knowing.
The Confuser comes to flash the easy life before us.
The Teacher reminds us to turn up the power within us.
The wilderness is a way to empowerment.
Mountains, lights and affluence are attractive.
Reflection, loneliness, and valleys are tools of depth and self-awareness.
God, in this Lenten season, may we remember that all lived experiences create wholeness within
Amen
Offertory
God, you have given us the gift of earth to expand our knowing of you. The earth has seasons and we also experience seasons. Help us to cultivate joy in knowing: “Nature is one of the most underutilized treasures in life. It has the power to unburden hearts and reconnect to that inner place of peace.”
(The quote above is from Janice Anderson)
Service March 6
Scripture Lesson
Luke 4:1-13 NIV
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’[b]”
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’[c]”
9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[d]”
12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[e]”
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.