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Sample Liturgy for First Sunday in Lent

On the Liturgy

Artwork for Service Bulletins/Slideshows

The Liturgy

For prelude, selections from the Lent Playlist may be played.

THE PROCESSIONAL

THE ACCLAMATION

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;
His mercy endures forever.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Good morning, brothers and sisters, and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today is the first Sunday in the season of Lent, and for those who were not able to be at our Ash Wednesday service, I want to take a moment to explain what Lent is and why we observe it. Some of you might be a bit hesitant or skeptical about Lent because you’ve seen it abused, and I completely understand that. I’ve seen Lent observed in very shallow, superficial, and ritualistic ways, and I want nothing to do with that. But just because something is abused does not mean that it doesn’t have a proper use.

In church history, Lent was a very serious and meaningful time, and it’s still observed that way in many churches today. It’s a time to dig in spiritually, to search our hearts before God, to renew our repentance, and to prepare our hearts for Easter. Some of you grew up in a revivalistic tradition where each Spring and Fall you would have a “revival” meeting—a time set aside to seek God more intensely and focus on themes of repentance and prayer and holiness. In many ways, the Church’s historical season of Lent is very similar to this. It is a time when Christians for centuries have seriously prepared to celebrate the central mystery of our faith: the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The season of Lent is forty days in length because it commemorates the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. If Jesus set aside 40 days to fast, pray, and seek God’s face more intently, then it makes good sense for us to also have seasons like Lent of more intense spiritual focus. And it makes good sense to seriously prepare our hearts for Easter so that it doesn’t rush up on us and pass us by in a flash. The words of our processional song perfectly captured these important themes:

Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us didst fast and pray,
teach us with Thee to mourn our sins
and close by Thee to stay.

As Thou with Satan didst contend,
and didst the vict’ry win,
O give us strength in Thee to fight,
in Thee to conquer sin.

As Thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,
so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and chiefly live
by Thy most holy word.

And through these days of penitence,
and through Thy passion-tide,
yes, evermore in life and death,
Jesus, with us abide.

Abide with us, that so, this life
of suff’ring over past,
an Easter of unending joy
we may attain at last.

Let us pray.

OPENING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as we seek your face through these forty days, and make every effort to prepare ourselves for Easter, we join the Psalmist in asking you to search us and know our hearts—to try us and know our thoughts. See if there is any grievous way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. To you, all hearts are open. To you, all desires are known. And from you, O God, no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Over the first five weeks of Lent, Catechism Questions 13, 25, and 26 may be said every Sunday, along with two of the Ten Commandments (two per week).

The Lord God gave us his law to expose our sins. Like a mirror, the holy law reflects back to us the depth of our unholiness, and shows us our need for a Savior. This Lent, we’re going to work through the catechism questions on the Ten Commandments, starting with the first and second commandments, which call us to love God completely and to worship him with our whole heart.

Q. 12. In what condition are we born because of Adam’s sin?
Because of Adam’s sin, we are conceived and born with a human nature that is corrupt in all parts, very far gone from original righteousness, and continually inclined towards evil.

Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?
God exposed our sin by giving us the moral law, which is summarized in the Ten Commandments, and requires us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves.

Q. 15. What is meant by the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me”?
We should know, fear, and trust the only true God above all things. We should not give to any other the worship and glory which is due to God alone. For God sees all things, and is greatly displeased by the sin of having any other god.

Q. 16. What is meant by the second commandment, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image”?
We should not worship images, use them superstitiously, or make any image at all of God’s invisible divine nature. We should worship God in the ways which he has appointed in his Word, and look to God alone for our hope, happiness, and security. For God is sovereign over us, has a rightful claim to our lives and devotion, and is zealous for his own worship.

Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?
I have sinned against God by doing what should never be done and leaving undone what God has commanded, falling short of his glory in my words, thoughts, and deeds.

Q. 26. What are the just consequences of our sin and rebellion?
Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, and makes us liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

SONG

“Lord Have Mercy” is suggested as a “theme song” to be sung on every Sunday of Lent (except Palm/Passion Sunday), but an alternative is included below.

THE KYRIE AND/OR TRISAGION

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Holy God, holy and mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

THE GLORIA PATRI

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

PRAYER BEFORE THE LESSONS

As we prepare to hear the Word of the Lord, let us pray.

Almighty God, your blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let’s listen attentively as God speaks to us through his Word.

THE FIRST LESSON: GENESIS 2:15–17; 3:1–7

A reading from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 2, at the 15th verse:

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” … 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 32

Psalm 32 may be sung (see “Resources for Singing Psalm 32“) or said (below).

Because they were ashamed, Adam and Eve hid from the Lord and tried to cover their sins with fig leaves. Psalm 32 contrasts the misery that comes when we “cover” or “hide” our sins with the joy that comes when we expose our sins so that God can “cover” or “forgive” them. As Christians, we rejoice that Christ made this forgiveness possible by his atoning sacrifice on the cross.

32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

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

THE SECOND LESSON: ROMANS 5:12–19

A reading from Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 5, at the 12th verse:

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

HYMN


THE GOSPEL:

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew, Chapter 4, at the first verse:

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said 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, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

THE SERMON

HYMN

After the sermon, the hymn “The Glory of These Forty Days” may be sung to the tune of Old 100th (the Doxology/Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow).

1 The glory of these forty days
we celebrate with songs of praise,
for Christ, by whom all things were made,
himself has fasted and has prayed.

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw
the loving God who gave the law.
And to Elijah, fasting, came
the steed and chariots of flame.

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
delivered from the lion’s might.
And John, the Savior’s friend, became
the herald of Messiah’s name.

4 Then grant, O God, that we may, too,
return in fast and prayer to you.
Our spirits strengthen with your grace,
and give us joy to see your face.

THE CREED

Let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried: He descended to the dead: On the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: 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.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE INVITATION

If you truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from this point forward in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.

THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE

Our Savior speaks comforting words to all who truly turn to him: Come unto me, all you that are burdened and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Peace be with you.
And also with you.

THE OFFERTORY

THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS

Let us lift up our hearts and give thanks to the Lord, for he alone is holy.

All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.

SONG AFTER THE SANCTUS

As we approach the Lord’s Table, we approach the foot of the cross, bringing nothing in our hands, for only Christ’s blood can atone for our sin and unrighteousness. “Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.”

THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.

So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray.

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS

Let us pray with humility to the Lord.

We do not presume to come to your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table; but you are the same Lord whose nature it is to always have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

THE MINISTRATION

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then invite the people to come forward to partake. When delivering the bread to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you.
  • The body of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The body of Christ; take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you.
  • The body of Christ; feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
  • The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.

When delivering the cup to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you.
  • The blood of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The blood of Christ; drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
  • The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

The bread and wine may be distributed in silence, or “Bread of Heaven, On Thee We Feed” may be played in the background.

THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER

O Lord, sustain us by the Sacrament that we have received, and grant that our Lenten fast may be pleasing to you, and may be for us a healing remedy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE BLESSING AND SENDING

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Amen.

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

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