Worship Bulletin for the 1st Sunday in Lent.
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
02-22-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ Repentance Through God’s Mercy +
CONFESSION OF OUR SINS:
L People of God, during these 40 days of Lent return to God with all your heart, with tears and fasting, with faithful prayers
and fervent loving. [Silence for reflection.] With humility and honesty, let us confess…
C Almighty and Eternal God, I confess that I am a sinner.
I have no excuses and no one or nothing else to blame.
I have lived as if God did not matter, as if I mattered most.
I have not let God’s love have its way with me, and so my love for others has failed.
There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I have not helped.
My thoughts, desires, words and deeds have been spoiled with sin.
I am sorry for all this and plead guilty before God. I ask and pray for mercy and grace.
I want to do and be better. Amen.
L Sisters and brothers, the truth is that all of us have sinned, all of us have fallen short of God’s glory. No one is righteous.
No one deserves or can demand God’s mercy. The greater truth is that God loved the world so much – loved you! – and
sent Jesus to live among us, to suffer and die for us, and to deliver us into new and everlasting life. Through (+) Jesus
Christ you are forgiven, be at peace, try again, and live a life of faith and love. Amen.
OPENING SONG: “Lead Me, Guide Me” Brown #70
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
O God, we pray that you might lead us and guide us through the wilderness of trials, trouble,
temptation, and testing. May we always look to Jesus for strength, for courage, and for new life. Amen.
+ Renewal Through God’s Word +
FIRST READING: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
[Our human story is this: “In the beginning we sinned against God, breaking several relationships.”]
BLACK HISTORY MOMENT – “Lift Every Voice in His and Her Story”
Narrator, Juanita R. Williams
Nat Turner presented by Darryl Hudson
Harriet Tubman presented by Ida Swindle
Song of Response: “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” by Nina Simone
“And Still I Rise” presented by Zaniyah and Ariana
Dance selection presented by Timyk Hillsman
Song of Response: “We Walk His Way (Ewa Thina)” presented by the Musicians and All Saints Choir
SECOND READING: Romans 5:12-19
[“Adam’s” disobedience… Christ’s faithful obedience and righteous death. It’s what makes the difference for all human living.]
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 GOSPEL: Matthew 4:1-11
[Evil is persistent, and Jesus knows all about temptation. After 40 days and 40 nights he was still strong enough to resist.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “Victory Is Mine” Brown #266
A CONFESSION OF FAITH (words written by South African Bishop Desmond Tutu):
Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness;
life is stronger than death; and victory is ours through God who loves us. Amen.
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 in response to Christ’s love! Those
in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate. 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) led 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.