First Sunday in Lent

February 26, 2023 | 10:00am

Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Guest Minister | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music

Thought for Worship: "There is good news. Long before the current generation of leaders took charge at your church, God was calling it to fruitfulness. God had a vision for your church from the beginning, and God has a vision for your church today. It is a vision of health, vitality, relevance, and service. The important thing to remember is that it is God's vision that you are being called to fulfill. The key is to discover the story of God's calling for the congregation.” | Tom Berlin and Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

GATHERING

Welcome & Announcements

Prelude: Beneath the Cross of Jesus | arr. Schram

Call to Worship

Votum

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Amen

Opening Sentences

The Lord be with you.

And also with you!

For forty days and forty nights,

led by the Spirit,

Christ fasted in the wilderness.

For forty days and forty nights,

we prepare ourselves to meet

the crucified and risen Christ.

Salutation

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Amen.

*Hymn of Praise: Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

When we stay silent,

when we do not acknowledge

what we need to change,

we waste away.

Our guilt turns into shame

that eats away at us like a poison.

God calls us to repent and be healed;

let us turn to God.

Merciful One,

we are so easily tempted.

We turn away from your word so quickly.

We seek anything that claims to save us from

discomfort, inconvenience, pain,

fear, and emptiness.

But these are false idols, dissolving in the wind.

You are our true hope and salvation,

our hiding place, our guide, our guardian.

We confess our transgressions to you:

forgive our sins.

Silent Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!

God does not count our sins against us,

but offers us a free gift of righteousness.

Thanks be to God!

The Law of God: Matthew 22:37-40

*Gloria Patri | #579

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking

One: May the peace of Christ be with you!

All: And also with you!

Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:

Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.

THE WORD OF GOD

Anthem Give Me Jesus | arr. Patterson

Children’s Message

Prayer for Illumination

God of shining splendor, your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder. Overshadow us with your Spirit so that we may hear your Word and live as faithful disciples and covenant people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Hymn: O Word of God Incarnate

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Sermon: "Worship the Lord" | Rev. Campbell

Silent Reflection

THE RESPONSE TO GOD

*Affirmation of Faith

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Offering I Want Jesus to Walk with Me | Spiritual

Prayer of Dedication

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)

In Christ Jesus, we have a great high priest
who knows our weakness and suffering;
therefore, with boldness, let us seek God’s grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With boldness, we pray for the church . . .
O Lord our God, let us worship you alone.
Feed us with your Word, our daily bread,
and lift us up on the wings of your Spirit. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With boldness, we pray for the earth . . .
In the garden of Eden you have made,
help use to choose the paths of life,
for the sake of your good creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With boldness, we pray for all nations . . .
Destroy the dominion of death:
warfare, corruption, pollution, and hate;
give life to all people through Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With boldness, we pray for this community . . .
Feed those who are famished;
humble the high and mighty;
protect those who are on the edge of despair. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With boldness, we pray for loved ones . . .
Hear the prayers of all who suffer—
whether in silence or with loud cries—
surround them with your saving grace. (names read) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

To you, O God, we entrust these prayers,
knowing that you alone can provide
grace to help in our time of need;
in the name of our great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Savior.

In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.

SENDING

Hymn: Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Benediction

Postlude: O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High | arr. Johnson

DEAR FRIENDS

Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.

If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.

Learn More

FOOD PANTRY NEWS

Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!

Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:

Sunday, February 26 - eggs

Sunday, March 5 - gallon(s) whole milk

Sunday, March 12 - eggs

Give Now

UPCOMING EVENTS

Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.

CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED