We are sinners by our own choice
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We have each been to the garden, and have eaten freely of the forbidden tree in spite of God's commands.
People:
We seem unable to help ourselves when it comes to resisting temptation.
Pastor:
That is because we share the human nature of Adam. We know God's laws, but we choose sin.
People:
We come guilty of sin, asking God to reclaim us as his children.
Collect
Almighty God, whose wondrous creation we have defied by our willful sinning: Cause us to see clearly our identity with the sinfulness of Adam; that we may accept full responsibility for our guilt, and come to you, seeking forgiveness and renewed fellowship through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We see too much of Adam in ourselves, Father; and we tend to blame you for creating us that way. Forgive us for our many sins, and for our unwillingness to accept responsibility for our sinful behavior. Convince us of your love, sinful as we are; that we may give more devotion to your divine laws, and less allegiance to our sinful nature. Hear us for Christ's sake. Amen.
Hymns
"How Can a Sinner Know"
"Jesus, the Sinner's Friend"
"Sing Them Over Again to Me"
"Sinners, Turn: Why Will You Die"
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
Theme:
Christ, the second Adam
Call to Worship
Pastor:
It is not difficult to know what Adam was like even though he lived so long ago.
People:
We act just like him today, as though his sinfulness somehow makes us sinners.
Pastor:
We do share Adam's nature. But more important is the fact that Christ has come; and through him, redemption can be ours.
People:
Our trust is in Christ, who transforms our sinful nature into wholeness by the redemptive forgiveness of God's love for his children!
Collect
O Loving Father, whose divine nature has come to man in the gift of your Son, redeeming our sinful nature: Clothe us with the nature of Christ; that we may grow in his likeness, and discard our likeness to Adam. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
There is a struggle within us, Father, and we need your help. We sin so easily with the nature of Adam; but we are not happy as sinners. Forgive us for our likeness to Adam, and remake us in your image as revealed in Christ. Make us free from our sins as we submit to the guidance of your Son, our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
"Jesus Is All the World to Me"
"O For a Thousand Tongues"
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Gospel:
Matthew 4:1-11
Theme:
Jesus' temptation
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus revealed his uniqueness in being fully human and divine when he was tempted.
People:
He came to us from God, and yet to be one of us, he had to face our temptations.
Pastor:
He overcame those temptations, and through his victory he stands as one in whom we can put our trust.
People:
May Christ's power over temptation become the redemptive power through which he transforms our lives.
Collect
Eternal God: You have sent your Son whose faithfulness to you gave him victory over the power of temptation. May our hearts be submissive to him, that his victory may become ours, and our wills may become yours. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We have learned to accept temptation's power without feeling a sense of guilt, Father. It surrounds us like the atmosphere, and we let it become the breath that sustains our life. But such life does not grow, and we feel close to death. Forgive us for our ignorance of the truth of temptation's power to kill, and for not experiencing victory over temptation through Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Go to Dark Gethsemane"
"He Who Would Valiant Be"
"O Come, and Dwell in Me"
"Take the Name of Jesus with You"
Pastor:
We have each been to the garden, and have eaten freely of the forbidden tree in spite of God's commands.
People:
We seem unable to help ourselves when it comes to resisting temptation.
Pastor:
That is because we share the human nature of Adam. We know God's laws, but we choose sin.
People:
We come guilty of sin, asking God to reclaim us as his children.
Collect
Almighty God, whose wondrous creation we have defied by our willful sinning: Cause us to see clearly our identity with the sinfulness of Adam; that we may accept full responsibility for our guilt, and come to you, seeking forgiveness and renewed fellowship through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We see too much of Adam in ourselves, Father; and we tend to blame you for creating us that way. Forgive us for our many sins, and for our unwillingness to accept responsibility for our sinful behavior. Convince us of your love, sinful as we are; that we may give more devotion to your divine laws, and less allegiance to our sinful nature. Hear us for Christ's sake. Amen.
Hymns
"How Can a Sinner Know"
"Jesus, the Sinner's Friend"
"Sing Them Over Again to Me"
"Sinners, Turn: Why Will You Die"
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
Theme:
Christ, the second Adam
Call to Worship
Pastor:
It is not difficult to know what Adam was like even though he lived so long ago.
People:
We act just like him today, as though his sinfulness somehow makes us sinners.
Pastor:
We do share Adam's nature. But more important is the fact that Christ has come; and through him, redemption can be ours.
People:
Our trust is in Christ, who transforms our sinful nature into wholeness by the redemptive forgiveness of God's love for his children!
Collect
O Loving Father, whose divine nature has come to man in the gift of your Son, redeeming our sinful nature: Clothe us with the nature of Christ; that we may grow in his likeness, and discard our likeness to Adam. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
There is a struggle within us, Father, and we need your help. We sin so easily with the nature of Adam; but we are not happy as sinners. Forgive us for our likeness to Adam, and remake us in your image as revealed in Christ. Make us free from our sins as we submit to the guidance of your Son, our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
"Jesus Is All the World to Me"
"O For a Thousand Tongues"
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Gospel:
Matthew 4:1-11
Theme:
Jesus' temptation
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus revealed his uniqueness in being fully human and divine when he was tempted.
People:
He came to us from God, and yet to be one of us, he had to face our temptations.
Pastor:
He overcame those temptations, and through his victory he stands as one in whom we can put our trust.
People:
May Christ's power over temptation become the redemptive power through which he transforms our lives.
Collect
Eternal God: You have sent your Son whose faithfulness to you gave him victory over the power of temptation. May our hearts be submissive to him, that his victory may become ours, and our wills may become yours. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We have learned to accept temptation's power without feeling a sense of guilt, Father. It surrounds us like the atmosphere, and we let it become the breath that sustains our life. But such life does not grow, and we feel close to death. Forgive us for our ignorance of the truth of temptation's power to kill, and for not experiencing victory over temptation through Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Go to Dark Gethsemane"
"He Who Would Valiant Be"
"O Come, and Dwell in Me"
"Take the Name of Jesus with You"
