St Clement Church Community Sunday Service
Good morning to you all as we celebrate our service of the first Sunday of Lent, Oh my gosh, no chocolate or biscuits for me until Easter day……..
Lent (the ‘lengthening of the days) is an old English word meaning Spring. In earliest times it was observed by those who were preparing for their Baptism at Easter, and later the 40 days of Lent were identified with the 40 days when Jesus was tested in the wilderness. It’s an opportunity for us to humbly re-examine our lives and through prayer, study and self-denial, to renew our love for God.
This Service of the Word is for you to read at home if you’re unable to join us for the Eucharist service on Sunday.
May Christ’s love sustain you always.
Much love to you all,
Rev Di and family x
Let us pray;
Lord God, as we begin our journey through Lent, give us the desire to seek first your Kingdom, the honesty to admit our failings, and the humility to receive your forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn; ‘Before the throne of God above’
Our prayers of Penitence
The first commandment is:
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.
Amen. Lord have mercy.
Let us confess to God our failure to keep his commandments:
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.
Let us pray our Collect for today
Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7
New Testament Reading: Romans 5.12-19
Hymn; ‘Forty days and forty nights’
Gospel: Matthew 4.1-11
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Response: ‘Glory to you O Lord.’)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
The Gospel According to
John
The Word Became Flesh
(This is the Gospel of the Lord. Response: ‘Praise to you, O, Christ’)
Reflection
As we know, we have lots of Sundays during the Church year that have titles; for instance, Pentecost, or Trinity Sunday.
Well, if this first Sunday of Lent were to get its own name, it would have to be “Temptation Sunday.” Here we are only four days into our freshly decided Lenten disciplines, and I’m already craving chocolate and biscuits, and we hear the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent, alongside the tempting of Jesus in the wilderness.
There’s temptation all around us, and you know what Oscar Wilde said; “I can resist anything, except temptation.” (By the way Liz, as I mentioned on Wednesday, the Macaroons you make are not classified as biscuits, honest!)
The story from Genesis is one of those that we all know and remember perhaps from Sunday school. But, do we really know this story? For instance, how many of us believe that the fruit bitten was an apple?
Well, sorry to have to tell you, but nowhere in the story does it say that.
It was a piece of fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but because a painter took the liberty of making the fruit an apple, we now think of the story that way.
And what about the underlying “fault” in the story? Is it really about the fact that if only Eve hadn’t been tricked by the serpent, we would all still be living in the Garden of Eden?
As much as some men amongst us would like to believe that, the answer is, it really didn’t matter who took the first bite of the fruit.
The point is, neither Adam nor Eve was able to resist temptation. And the temptation wasn’t to eat something forbidden, or even to disobey God’s rules, instead, they were tempted to want to be like God.
But even if Adam and Eve hadn’t been tempted, we can’t say we’d still be living in paradise now if it wasn’t for them ,because there’s little doubt that sooner or later we would have been asked to leave, because our human nature is to fail at resisting temptation, especially the temptation to be God.
When we think of temptation during this Lenten season, we generally think of those things we’ve decided to try and give up, and how many of them all of a sudden, seem to be around us, tempting us to break our vows. Have you given up chocolate? And everywhere you go, you see chocolate. Or have you given up alcohol? Suddenly, people you haven’t seen for months are inviting you out for a drink.
Of course these perceptions aren’t really accurate. It’s just that we become fixated on that which we cannot have – making it very difficult to stay away from temptation. But these temporary Lenten decisions aren’t really temptations at all – not ones of any great significance anyway, not compared with those of Adam and Eve’s – and Jesus.
Jesus had gone forty days without food when the devil came to Him and Matthew tells us he was famished. No kidding! I’d be circling the airport, or at least hallucinating, I have a tough time going four hours without food.
So, Jesus is starving when the tempter appears and says, “If you’re hungry, turn stones into bread” But this isn’t about hunger, it’s about whether Jesus is going to trust God, or co-opt God’s power and change the nature of a stone for His own purposes. And Jesus resists temptation and moves on – still weak and hungry, but trusting God.
Next, the devil says, “Jump off the top of the Temple. The angels will catch you – if you are who you think you are.” And again, note that the devil quotes Scripture to Jesus when he tempts Him.
Think about that the next time someone with Biblical knowledge tries to impress you! - In essence, the devil is saying, “I know God’s Word too and in Psalm 91 it says the angels will guard you.”
And again Jesus resists temptation and trusts in God’s real providence by saying, “No. I don’t think it’s wise to put God to the test.”
And then finally, the devil offers Jesus the whole world to rule if he worships him.
So basically Jesus tells him, “On your bike, we’re all called to worship God, not this man you see before you, and certainly not you.”
These stories are meant to tell us that it’s in our human nature to want to be God. Adam and Eve were promised that they would be like God if only they would eat from the same tree God ate from; and Jesus was promised all of the attributes of God – angels to serve Him; and the adoration of the world.
But we don’t really want to be God – not really. We wouldn’t want to hear billions of prayers all the time, or have to listen to people whine about things not being perfect in their lives. No, what we want is to be God of our lives. We want absolute power over the things around us.
We want to be able to make it rain when we’re hot, and make it stop when we have a barbeque planned.
But mostly, we want everything to go right in our lives – we want our lives to be perfect and stress free, with well-behaved families and friends; or maybe lots of money; perfect health and slim figures.
So what tempts us to try to be God? Is it the desire to change the choices that our family or friends make? How about the need to have everyone else think the way we do? Or perhaps we’re tempted by the one that gets more people than any other – the need to be perfect.
It is difficult not to have such thoughts as; ‘If I don’t do it, it won’t get done right. ‘Or; ‘if everybody would just pay attention to me and do it my way, things would turn out the way they should.’
Recognise any of those? They’re all about trying to be God – trying to control all the things in our world so that everything can turn out in our image.
That’s the greatest temptation of all. But we can’t be God – we don’t have God’s power, or ability, or even God’s sense of humour, so instead, for our efforts, we just end up being pains in someone else’s neck!
So instead of seeking after perfect lives; this Lent, perhaps we should take an honest look at ourselves, and try to change our natures to be more like Christ. When we’re tempted to judge someone else, or to try to keep a tight hold on things; why don’t we try to acknowledge that God is God and we’re not, and trust in God’s grace and providence.
Yes, Jesus refused to turn stones into bread. But he turns bread into himself at every Eucharist. We are here to share that meal as we trust in God as equals in this community, and enjoy a taste of his kingdom. Amen.
Hymn; ‘Jesu lover of my soul’
Affirmation of our faith
Let us declare our faith in God.
We believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist.
We believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and rose again.
We believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world.
This is the faith of the Church. This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Our Intercessions this week are written by Liz Davies
Lord God, on this the first Sunday in Lent, we remember the trials and temptations of your Son, Jesus Christ in His journey through the wilderness, and how He triumphed over all. In our prayers we think of the difficult journeys in life encountered by so many people in the world. We pray that in their different times of need, they may find discernment to see their way ahead, and strength to overcome whatever problems they face. We pray that faith may be deepened in this period of Lent, and that all may walk in the Light of the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
We pray for the Church, of which we are members, and thank you for the light it provides for our journeys ahead.
We pray for those who lead us in our worship, and for all those who enable others to know that light in their lives.
We pray for each other, that we may respond to the challenges that the time of Lent presents to us. Help us to be able to look at ourselves, and to recognise our failings, our inadequacies, and the need for your presence in our journey of life.
We pray for the family of the Church. When we receive the bread and wine at communion today may we experience a sense of belonging to you and to each other. Bind us together, Lord, as a family, so that we may travel along life’s journey helping and supporting one another, overcoming together all the trials and temptations which confront us daily.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord God, we think of the troubled parts of the world where there is so much suffering, where darkness prevails and where the Light of the Lord seems so far away. We pray for people whose humanity is denied by others, for those without homes or food, for those suffering from malnutrition, illness, and disease, for those living in fear of war and conflict. We remember especially the people living in Ukraine and those living in other parts of the world where there is unrest. We pray for all those working for peace and justice, and for our armed forces. We ask that they may all be sustained and encouraged in their difficult work in what must seem an endless journey, and may they know the light of the Lord in everything they do in the name of peace.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord God, we thank you for our neighbours, our friends and for the people around us with whom we work and share our daily lives. We thank you for all the joys and blessings of family life. Forgive us when we quarrel and make us always ready to forgive one another.
We pray for those who are lonely, those isolated because of ill-health, and those who find it difficult to make friends or be accepted. Show us all what we can do to help, and teach us to be good neighbours and true friends.
We thank You, Lord, for your miracles of healing, and we pray for all who administer to the sick and infirm. We bring before you in a moment of quietness all those we know and love who are ill or in special need at this time, and we name them in our hearts. We pray that your blessing be upon them and those who love and care for them and we pray that they may find encouragement and peace, that their sorrows and concerns be transformed into comfort, and their loneliness into fellowship with you.
We especially bring before you today: Ken and Reverend Diane, Terry and Dot, Alison and Rob, Rupert and Linda, Sandra and Barrie, Carole, Margaret, Brian, Paul and Jan, Lyn, Maureen, Alison, Faith and Baby Willow.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
We pray for all those who mourn and for those who still miss the companionship and care of loved ones. We pray that as they journey in this part of their life, that the challenges of Lent and the assurances of Easter will bring them new strength and new purpose. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God those who have died, and the light of the church candles symbolise the Light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope. You turn our darkness into light and in Your Light, shall we see light.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Lord God, as we go out into the world today, we remember that your Son was tempted by the forces of evil, but chose faithfulness rather popularity, service instead of fame, sacrifice instead of power. These temptations still come to us, Lord God, and we are far weaker than Him, and so we pray for the strength to shun them as He did, so that we may be of use to you and to each other. Lord God, you sent angels to minister to Jesus in the wilderness during His time of temptation. We pray that you will send your angels to minister to all those for whom we have prayed and to ourselves as we seek to do your will in the Church, the world, our communities and in our own lives.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray with confidence as Jesus 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn; ‘God is working his purpose out’
The Peace
‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name’ says the Lord,
‘I am there among them’ May the peace of God be always with us. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ give us grace to grow in holiness, to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him; and may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, those whom we love, and remain with us always. Amen.