God of choice, we know that we have failed to make wise decisions before, just as those who have come before us. We are tempted at every turn, both by the outright evil and by the seemingly good before us. We have too often leaned on our own understanding about what is good, rather than trust your wisdom. Inspire us by Jesus’ example, who in every way was tempted like we are, yet without sin. Help us to trust you alone in all things, and choose your way over our own. Amen.

*HYMN OF THE MONTH [Music in Pew]      “Let us Build a House”

1. Let us build a house Where love can dwell and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions: 

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. 

5. Let us build a house where all are named, 

their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,

let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN           

 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from one another. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another. We allow the past to hold us captive. 

In your loving-kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from sin. Fulfill the promises of our baptism, so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*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.

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                                   Matthew 4:1-17

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 splendor; 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.

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,

   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

the people who sat in darkness

   have seen a great light,

and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death

   light has dawned.’

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON       “Temptation”   Rev. Aaron Ochart                                                 

 THE WORD MADE FLESH   

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God.

Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image …, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. 

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. 

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                 

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: [Hymnal 581] Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the Highest. 

ONE: … Great is the mystery of faith:

MANY: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again…

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 and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION  

*HYMN  [Hymnal #81]      Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days

1 Lord, who throughout these forty days for us did fast and pray,

teach us with you to mourn our sins and close by you to stay.

2 As you with Satan did contend and did the victory win,

O give us strength to persevere, in you to conquer sin.

3 And through these days of penitence, and through this Passiontide,

yes, evermore, in life and death, O Lord, with us abide.

4 Abide with us, till when this life of suffering shall be past,

an Easter of unending joy we may attain at last.

*PARTING PRAYER

Holy God, you sent your Son to be baptized among sinners, to seek and save the lost. May we, who have been baptized in his name, never turn away from the world, but reach out in love to call others like us; by the mercy of Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE [Music in Pew]               “Prepare the way of the Lord ”

God (Immanuel) everywhere! (Refrain)

WORDS OF WELCOME   

MINUTE FOR MISSION                                                                   Extra Life 

ADORATION 

CALL TO WORSHIP Joel 2:23

ONE: Be glad and rejoice in the Lord our God,

MANY: who pours down grace in abundance.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of perfection, you give us power and authority, but we misuse it. We are more concerned with our own comfort than your righteousness and justice. Thank you for loving us, even when we fail. Help us to listen to those who point out our flaws so that we can learn from our mistakes. Create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within us. Amen.

HYMN  [music in pew]                      “Your Endless Love, Your Mighty Acts”

1. Your endless love, your mighty acts Surpass what words can tell; 

Lord, may the joys your people know be mine to share as well 

2. Our Rebel Forebears rarely grasped your mercy or your might; 

We need your mercy just like them: we, too, do wrong not right. ”

3. Before a golden calf they bowed an idol in your place! 

Until, by Moses faithful prayer, you drew them back to grace. 

4. But when they spurned the promised land, you made your anger plain: 

They wandered long on desert paths, and served the Baals again. 

5. Yet those whom once you sold in wrath, in mercy you restored; 

May we, like them, be gathered in to thank and praise you, Lord. 

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Psalm. 51:1-12

ONE: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;

in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

MANY:  Wash me through and through from my wickedness,

and cleanse me from my sin. 

ONE: For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me.

MANY:  Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil  in your sight; 

so you are justified when you speak and right in your judgment.

ONE: Indeed, I was born steeped in wickedness, 

a sinner from my mother’s womb.

MANY: Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me, 

and would have me know wisdom deep within. 

ONE: Remove my sins with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be purer than snow.

MANY: Let me hear  joy and gladness; 

that the body you have broken may rejoice. 

ONE: Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my wickedness.

MANY: Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

and renew a right spirit within me. 

ONE: cast me not away from your presence, 

and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 

MANY: Restore me to the joy of your salvation

and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*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.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON                                2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, ‘This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’ So David sent messengers to fetch her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she was purifying herself after her period.) Then she returned to her house. The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, ‘I am pregnant.’

When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son.

But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, ‘There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.’ Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.’

Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON              “Dereliction of Duty”                 The Rev. Aaron Ochart 

RESPONSE     

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                   Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God.

Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image …, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. 

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. 

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PLEDGE CAMPAIGN                              Julie Hebert- Employer Matching, 

Linda Lowry- Time and Talents Survey

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERING As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams by K. Lee Scott

As pants the hart for cooling streams when heated in the chase,

so longs my soul for thee O God and Thy refreshing grace.

For Thee O God the living God, my thirsty soul doth pine; 

O when shall I behold Thy face, Thou Majesty divine.

Why restless, why cast down, my soul? Trust God and He’ll employ

His aid for thee, and change these sighs to thankful hymns of joy.

Why restless, why cast down, my soul? Hope still and thou shall sing

the praise of Him who is thy God, thy health’s eternal spring.

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

*HYMN [Blue Hymnal #370]  “Just As I am Without One Plea”

1 Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

2 Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

3 Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

4 Just as I am, Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down;

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

*PARTING PRAYER    

May the strength of God pilot us. May the power of God preserve us. May the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us. May the way of God direct us. May the shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. May Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us. May your salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and forevermore. Amen

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION [Music in Pew]

Our God is an awesome God who reigns from heaven above 

with wisdom, power, and love; our God is an awesome God! 

POSTLUDE   Excerpts from Sonata III         Felix Mendelssohn

The flowers in the sanctuary were given by Cheryl Emery  in loving memory of her Mother and Father, who would have celebrated their 81st anniversary this year.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Asst. Music Director.  Appreciation to Dennis Lauland, Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.  

STAFF