1st Sunday in Lent – 9 March 2025

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Women’s History Month
03-09-2025 10:00AM “Hybrid” Worship

+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +

CONFESSION OF OUR SINS / DECLARATION OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS:
L Christian friends, the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights struggling with
Satan in the wilderness. During Lent we will journey through our own 40-day wilderness as we seek to die to our old
habits and destructive ways. We will journey knowing that resurrection and new life are on the way. Now is the right time,
now is the day of God’s salvation. Let us confess…
C Eternal God, I confess that I am only human, created by you.
I have come from dust, and someday I will return to dust. My physical life on earth will end.
Eternal God, I confess that I am also a sinner.
My thoughts and my words, my attitudes and my actions all reveal my failures. I pray for your mercy.
Eternal God, I confess that I am also an unsure saint.
I sometimes look for an easier gospel, a lighter cross, a less demanding Savior, and a cheaper ticket to
heaven. I need your renewal as I seek to be faithful in living and fervent in loving.
Here I am, Lord. Forgive my sins, both public and secret. Revive my spirit. Give me new life. Amen.
L Oh, my goodness, friends, there is some great GOOD news! God is for us – much more than we are for ourselves.
In the waters of baptism, grace abounds for you and for all. God turns to you in love and puts away every sin, every
wrong turn, your brokenness and shame, through the life, death, and resurrection of (+) Jesus Christ, the One that
God sent to save the world. You are forgiven, be at peace, try again, live a life of faith and love. Amen.
OPENING SONG: “Lead Me, Guide Me” Brown #70
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together) :
Steadfast, faithful, covenant God,
you once led your people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land.
Guide us now through this wilderness world of temptations, tests, trials, and troubles,
Renew us in the gift of baptism, strengthen us in our covenant relationship with you.
May we follow in the paths where Jesus leads us, with humble trust and courage. Amen.

+ Renewal Through God’s Word +

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
[Don’t forget or neglect God’s salvation and blessings – even when all is going well.]
SECOND READING: Romans 10:8b-13
[Receive your righteousness, along with others, through faith in the risen Christ.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
GOSPEL VERSE: “Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your word.

Lord, let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood.
When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart, Lord, let my heart be good soil.”

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 4:1-13
[Evil is persistent, and Jesus knows all about this world’s enticing lures and the devil’s lies.]
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “Victory Is Mine” Brown #266
THE PRAYERS… We pray that THE WAY OF THE CROSS will continue to impact our lives and transform the world!

+ Revival Through God’s Meal +

TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
Does our financial giving and our daily living give full expression of our faith and to God’s
faithfulness? Dare to respond with gratitude and generosity! Those in the Sanctuary can put
their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and their generosity in response to
Christ’s love. Those farther away can: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… or contribute online through
bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories
you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR.
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “I Know It Was the Blood”
(1) I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood… I know it was the blood for me.
One day when I was lost, he died upon the cross… I know it was the blood for me.
(2) It was my Savior’s blood…
(3) They pierced him in the side…
(4) He’s coming back again
OFFERING PRAYER (from PSALM 51) by the Communion Assistant:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with your bountiful spirit.
Then I will teach other sinners your ways; and I will eagerly sing of your goodness. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L The Lord delivers us from sin and death… C … and grants us salvation and eternal life!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous
distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST IS PRESENT IN BREAD AND WINE – HIS OWN BODY
AND BLOOD – TO SAVE YOU FROM YOURSELF!
COMMUNION SONGS: “Now Behold the Lamb” Brown #128
“Yield Not to Temptation” Brown #195

THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.

+ Righteousness Through God’s Spirit +

THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God calls us to “return home” to faithful discipleship!
CLOSING SONG: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” Brown #66
(1) I want Jesus to walk with me… I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
(2) In my trials, Lord, walk with me… In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
When my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
(3) When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me… When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.
When my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.