02/24/2021
Greetings to our Fellowship,
The term Lent comes from the English word Lencten which means Spring. Most of us in SW PA felt our first day of pre-spring yesterday. More for today. Glorious it is to go beyond the freezing and snowy weather. Plus, it looks like the C-virus is slowing down. Optimism is in the air. Well, keep in mind that the great sin, the great fault of the powers that be in government, media, education, and health care is that many of them have no concern for the kingdom of heaven. To them it's all about the here and now.
How foolish? How arrogant? This corrupt old body will croak of something won't it. We have temporal bodies but eternal souls.
Our main concern must be that Christ saves us, lives within us, and sanctifies us for everlasting life. We are pilgrims on a journey to the celestial city. We are not to fall into the slough of despond.
Do not let Mr. Pleasure-Seeker, Mr. Self-Satisfied, Mr. Here and Now, Mr. Covid-Fearmonger, Mr. Dejection, Mr. Lying-Lips, Mr. Easy-Religion, Mr. Social-Media Hype have any influence upon us. Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ and the whole armor of God. Rev. John
Short Lent Litany - O God the Father our creator, O God the Son our redeemer, O God the Holy Spirit our sanctifier. Have mercy upon us O Lord.
Lord, do not remember our offenses, forgive us of our awful sins. Deliver us from evil and the crafts and assaults of Satan. Spare us from thy wrath and everlasting damnation. Have mercy upon us O Christ. Save us from blindness of heart, from pride, envy, hypocrisy, and malice. O Lord deliver us.
Keep us away from sinful affections and the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Good Lord, deliver us.
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God who knows all of our sins and weaknesses, forgive us and help us.
Lamb of God, spare us whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood. Amen.
Prayer acknowledging God's forgiveness - Lord, you are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. You have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your loving kindness toward those who fear You. As far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us. All glory, all thanks be to You, wonderful God, who has by Your Son put away our sin, and cleansed us, that we might dwell with You forever. Amen. adapted from Psalm 103
Psalm 32 - A penitential Psalm - Click here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYiB0BHjZiE&t=5s
The Gospel Reading - Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus is Tempted by Satan in the wilderness -
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Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He was hungry. And the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread.” But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on the highest point of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written, ‘He shall give His angels charge concerning you, and in their hands they shall lift you up,lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, “It is also written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur, and said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! For it is written ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. ” Then the devil left Him, and immediately angels came and ministered to Him. Final Hymn - Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? A Lenten beauty. A simple, deep Gospel song. One of the best. Yes we were there. Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree. Click here→ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4mcJi390ng God be with you till we meet again.
Rev John
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