The livestream may be found here.
February 26, 2023
The First Sunday in Lent
The color purple, used for the vestments and paraments in Lent,
symbolizes somberness and solemnity. Crosses and images of our Lord and the
saints are veiled with purple cloth during Lent.
FIRST
READING (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7): ‘Did God really say…? – that is
the utterly godless question.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer). It is godless because it
puts humanity in the position of being judge over God’s word. The devil invites
us to discuss God’s word with him, and the evil one will always frame the
question in a way which leads away from living in trusting relationship with
God. Once the man and the woman ate of the tree, ‘they knew that they were
naked.’ In other words, they became aware of their vulnerability and sought to conceal
themselves from each other and from God.
SECOND
READING (Romans 5:12-19): Paul juxtaposes Adam and Christ, condemnation and
justification, death and life. The world we live in is a world in which sin and
jealousy are already present and activate the potential for sin and jealousy in
us. However, the obedience of Christ which leads to justification cancels the
curse which Adam’s disobedience brought. Christ’s obedience is stronger than
Adam’s disobedience, for even though one trespass brings condemnation for all,
Christ’s obedience after many trespasses brings justification.
GOSPEL
(Matthew 4:1-11): The evil one invites Jesus to participate in his
godless theological discussion. The three temptations are variants on the serpent’s
question to Eve, ‘Did God really say?’ Jesus does not engage in conversation
with the devil, but replies with the trustworthy words of his Father.
OPENING MUSIC A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
J. S. Bach
Blessed be
God: Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,
And blessed be
his kingdom, now and forever. Amen
Hear the
commandments of God to his people:
I am the
LORD your God,
who brought
you out of the house of slavery.
You shall
have no other gods.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not make wrongful use
of the name
of the LORD your God.
Amen. Lord, have
mercy.
Remember
the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
Honor your
father and your mother.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not murder.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not commit adultery.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not steal.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not covet your neighbor’s house.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
You shall
not covet your neighbor’s wife,
or his male
or female slave, or his ox, or his donkey,
or anything
that belongs to your neighbor.
Amen. Lord,
have mercy.
These are
the commandments of the LORD our God.
Lord, have
mercy on us sinners,
and incline our
hearts to keep your law.
Let us pray
together the prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian:
O Lord and
Master of my life,
take from me a spirit of laziness, despair,
love of power, and idle talk.
But give your servant a spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love.
Yes, O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own sins and not to judge
my neighbor.
For You are blessed forever and ever. Amen
found in the front section of the Green
Lutheran Book of Worship, p. 168
L Christ, have mercy. R Christ,
have mercy.
L Lord, have mercy. R Lord,
have mercy.
L O Christ, hear us. R In
mercy hear us.
L God, the Father in heaven, R have
mercy on us.
L God, the Son, redeemer of the
world, R have mercy on us.
L God, the Holy Spirit, R have
mercy on us.
L Holy Trinity, one God, R have
mercy on us.
L Be gracious to us. R Spare
us, good Lord.
L Be gracious to us. R Spare
us, good Lord.
L From all sin, from all error, from
all evil;
from the cunning assaults of the
devil;
from an unprepared and evil
death:
R Good Lord, deliver us.
L From war, bloodshed, and violence;
from corrupt and unjust
government;
from sedition and treason:
R Good Lord, deliver us.
L From epidemic, drought, and
famine;
from fire and flood, earthquake,
lightning and storm;
and from everlasting death:
R Good Lord, deliver us.
L By the mystery of your
incarnation;
by your holy birth:
R Help us, good Lord.
L By your baptism, fasting, and
temptation;
by your agony and bloody sweat;
by your cross and suffering;
by your death and burial:
R Help us, good Lord.
L By your resurrection and
ascension;
by the gift of the Holy Spirit:
R Help us, good Lord.
L In all time of our tribulation;
in all time of our prosperity;
in the hour of death;
and in the day of judgment:
R Save us, good Lord.
L Though unworthy, we implore you
R to hear us, Lord our God.
L To rule and govern your holy
catholic Church;
to guide all servants of your
Church in the love of your Word
and in holiness
of life;
to put an end to all schisms and
causes of offense to those who would believe;
and to bring into the way of
truth all who have gone astray:
R We implore you to hear us, good
Lord.
L To beat down Satan under our feet;
to send faithful workers into
your harvest;
to accompany your Word with your
Spirit and power;
to raise up those who fall and
to strengthen those who stand;
and to comfort and help the
fainthearted and the distressed:
R We implore you to hear us, good
Lord.
L To give to all nations justice and
peace;
to preserve our country from
discord and strife;
to direct and guard those who
have civil authority;
and to bless and guide all our
people:
R We implore you to hear us, good
Lord.
L To behold and help all who are in
danger, need, or tribulation;
to protect and guide all who
travel;
to preserve and provide for all
women in childbirth;
to watch over children and to
guide the young;
to heal the sick and to
strengthen their families and friends;
to bring reconciliation to
families in discord;
to provide for the unemployed
and for all in need;
to be merciful to all who are
imprisoned;
to support, comfort, and guide
all orphans, widowers, and widows;
and to have mercy on all your
people:
R We implore you to hear us, good
Lord.
L To forgive our enemies,
persecutors, and slanderers, and to reconcile us to them;
to help us use wisely the fruits
and treasures of the earth, the sea, and the air;
and graciously to hear our
prayers:
R We implore you to hear us, good
Lord.
L Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
R we implore you to hear us.
L Lamb of God, you take away the sin
of the world; R have mercy on us.
L Lamb of God, you take away the sin
of the world; R have mercy on us.
L Lamb of God, you take away the sin
of the world; R give us peace. Amen
L O Christ, hear us. R In
mercy hear us.
L Lord, have mercy. R Lord,
have mercy.
L Christ, have mercy. R Christ,
have mercy.
L Lord, have mercy. R Lord,
have mercy.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Amen
Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven,
and whose sin is put away!
Let us hear the Word of the Lord. Psalm 32:1
FIRST READING: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
15The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17but 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 die.”
3:1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6So 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. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
The Word
of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Antiphon
1 Happy are they whose transgressions | are forgiven,*
and whose sin is |
put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord
im- | putes no guilt,*
and in whose spirit
there | is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones with- | ered away,*
because of my
groaning | all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me | day and night;*
my moisture was
dried up as in the | heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my | sin to you,*
and did not con- |
ceal my guilt.
6 I said, "I will confess my transgressions | to the Lord."*
Then you forgave me
the guilt | of my sin.
7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers
to you in | time of trouble;*
when the great
waters overflow, they | shall not reach them.
8 You are my hiding-place; you preserve | me from trouble;*
you surround me
with shouts | of deliverance.
9 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that | you should go;*
I will guide you |
with my eye.
10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no | understanding;*
who must be fitted
with bit and bridle,
or else they will | not stay near you."
11 Great are the tribulations | of the wicked;*
but mercy embraces
those who trust | in the Lord.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice | in the Lord;*
shout for joy, all who
are | true of heart.
SECOND READING Romans
5:12-19
12Just as sin came into the world through one man, and
death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned—13sin
was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is
no law. 14Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over
those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the
one who was to come.
15But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died
through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the
free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16And
the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment
following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many
trespasses brings justification. 17If, because of the one man’s
trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will
those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness
exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all,
so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19For
just 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.
VERSE Matthew 4:4 Setting
by John W. Becker
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word
that comes from the
mouth of God.
Gospel Matthew 4:1-11
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
1Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and
afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If
you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But
he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the
pinnacle of the temple, 6saying 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.’ ”
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your
God to the test.’ ”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him
all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to
him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus
said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”
11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on
him.
The Gospel
of the Lord.
Sermon
W Hymn
of the DaY A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Green LBW 228
CONFESSION OF FAITH
The pastor and people confess the faith
of the Church in the words of the Nicene Creed.
X At the words ‘For us and for our salvation,’
and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a solemn bow is appropriate to
praise the incarnation of our Lord.
We believe in one God,
the
Father, the Almighty,
maker
of heaven and earth,
of
all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the
only Son of God,
eternally
begotten of the Father,
God
from God, Light from Light,
true
God from true God,
begotten,
not made,
of
one Being with the Father.
Through
him all things were made.
X For us and for our salvation
he
came down from heaven;
by
the power of the Holy Spirit
he
became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. X
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he
suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose
again
in
accordance with the Scriptures;
he
ascended into heaven
and
is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He
will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and
his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the
Lord, the giver of life,
who
proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With
the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He
has spoken through the prophets.
We
believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We
acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We
look for the resurrection of the dead,
and
the life of the world to come. Amen
Let us
pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according
to their needs.
Silence
is kept.
Father,
sustain your Church throughout our forty-day pilgrimage to the cross. Lord, in
your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Father,
bless with zeal and knowledge those who preach the life-giving Gospel. Lord, in
your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Father, give
our faith family the spirit of mutual love and care for each other, and
increase in us a desire to hear and spread your Word. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Father,
be with all who hold office in our land, and let our citizens work together for
the good of all in their communities, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods.
Be with the peoples of the world and bless all who strive for peace. Lord, in
your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Father, have mercy upon
the people, leaders, and armed forces of Ukraine, resisting aggression and
invasion for one year. Grant to those who mourn the loss of home and family comfort
and mercy. Empower those in every land who desire order, peace, security, and
justice to act and speak with courage. Convert and restrain those who worship violence,
and make your name holy despite those who take it in vain. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
The Pastor reads the names
and situations submitted for prayer.
The People may intercede for
others aloud or in silence.
Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father,
we remember with thanksgiving all who have been made righteous by Jesus Christ.
Confident in his grace, we look to that day when we shall join the saints and our
departed loved ones around the tree of life. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your
hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast
love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Since we are justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has given us access to his grace.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
The
people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
Stand
OFFERTORY Ezekiel 18:30-32
Setting by Kevin Norris
Repent and turn from all your sins, lest iniquity be
your ruin. Cast away
from you all the sins which you have committed against
me, and get
yourself a new heart and a new spirit. For I have no
pleasure in the
death of anyone, says the Lord God of hosts, so turn to
me and live.
Lord, come to us and cleanse us,
come to us and heal us,
come to us and strengthen us,
and
grant that, having received you,
we may never
be separated from you,
but continue yours forever.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Sanctus
The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God.
You created us in your image;
and
in the mystery of your great love for us
you
sent your only Son, Jesus Christ,
born
of Mary by the power of the Spirit.
Led by that Spirit he was tempted as we are tempted;
He
proclaimed your forgiveness to sinners;
he
loved even his enemies.
Despised and rejected,
he
bore the alienation of the world
as
he stretched out his arms on the cross;
and
by this all-sufficient sacrifice
he
has drawn all people to himself,
giving
his life as a ransom for many.
As we gather in his name and celebrate his testament,
send
your Spirit upon us
and
upon these gifts of bread and wine,
that
they may be for us
the
very body and blood of your Son,
Christ
Jesus, redeemer of the world.
In the night in which He was
betrayed
our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my Body, given for
you.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
Again, after supper, He took
the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in
my Blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God.
By your Son's life-giving passion and death,
and
by His resurrection and ascension into glory,
our
Lord Jesus continually intercedes for us
and
for all he has claimed as his own.
As we now share together
this
Bread of Life and this Cup of Salvation,
unite
us with all your faithful people
in
the forgiveness of sins,
and
bring us, at length, to that eternal celebration of life
at
the Lamb's high feast.
In the presence of Christ, we pray
to his Father using the words he gave us.
Christ is in our midst.
By the power of the
Spirit,
we pray to his
Father, saying:
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, and the
power, and the glory,
forever and ever.
Amen
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of
the world.
Happy are
we who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.
John 1:29; Revelation 19:9; Matthew
8:8
HYMN For Perfect Love So Freely Spent stanzas 1 and 2
For
perfect love so freely spent,
for
fellowship restored,
we
celebrate your sacrament
and
sing your praise, O Lord.
We
come, by sin disquieted,
and
find our lives made whole;
around
this table we are fed
refreshment
for the soul.
Sit
DISTRIBUTION
WDISTRIBUTION HYMN
Green
LBW 503 O Jesus, I Have Pondered
St.3/ Choir
1 O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
remain forever near me,
my master and my friend.
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.
2 Oh, let me feel you near me;
the world is ever near.
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, then draw nearer
to shield my soul from sin.
3 Oh, let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will.
Now speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
now speak and make me listen,
O Guardian of my soul.
4 O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
oh, give me grace to follow,
my master and my friend.
Text:
John E. Bode, 1816-1874, alt.
When
all have received, the People stand at the direction of the pastor.
The body and
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
WPOST-COMMUNION
HYMN
For Perfect Love So Freely Spent stanza 3
Abide
with us; in all our ways
your
saving love be shown;
so
may our lives be hymns of praise,
O
Christ, to you alone.
O
Lord, you have called us to be your witnesses.
Cleanse
us from all unbelief and sloth
and
fill us with hope and zeal,
that we may do your work,
and bear your cross,
and bide your time,
and see your glory.
Almighty
God, Father, X Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless
you now and forever.
Amen
WCLOSING HYMN
Green LBW 470 Praise and Thanks and Adoration
Go in
peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks
be to God!
Lutheran Book of Worship Daily Scripture Readings
Monday, February 27:
Deuteronomy 8:1-20; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 2:1-12
Tuesday, February 28: Deuteronomy
9:1-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22
Wednesday, March 1: Deuteronomy
9:13-21; Hebrews 3:12-19; John 2:23-3:5
Thursday, March 2: Deuteronomy
9:23-10:5; Hebrews 4:1-10; John 3:16-21
Friday, March 3: Deuteronomy
10:12-22; Hebrews 4:11-16; John 3:22-36
Saturday, March 4: Deuteronomy
11:18-28; Hebrews 5:1-10; John 4:1-26
Sunday, March
5: Jeremiah 1:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-23; Mark 3:31-4:9
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2023 Augsburg
Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg
Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.
New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.
Eucharistic Canon reprinted with permission
from A Little Book of Canons by Rod L. Ronneberg, STS, © 1997 and ©
2010.
Additional liturgical material from Common
Worship: Times and Seasons,
© 2006 The Archbishops’ Council of the Church
of England,
and Foretaste of the Feast to
Come, by Philip Pfatteicher, 1997 Augsburg Publishing
House.
Mola, Gasparo, 1571?-1640, Tacca,
Pietro, 1577-1640. Temptation of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57315 [retrieved February 21, 2023].
Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/damiavos/14427254824.
Agnus
Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
St Stephen Lutheran Church
55 Forsythe Road, Pittsburgh PA
15220
(412) 279-5868
Email: office@ststephenpittsburgh.org
Website: www.ststephenpittsburgh.org
Saturday
Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday
Morning Worship – 10:30 am
