Lent: Week 1 – Even in the Desert
MCC San Francisco, Reflection MCC, and MCC of the Redwood Empire Joint Hybrid Service
Full to the Brim: An Expansive Lent
First Sunday of Lent – March 6, 2022
Image by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity
Order of Servicege by Rev. Lisle Gwynn
Open Discussion in Main Zoom Room and RMCC Sanctuary
Welcome, Introduction of Visitors, Explanation of Breakout Rooms, and Opening Prayer………Rev. Annie Steinberg-Behrman
Breakout Rooms by Congregation (Announcements, Offering, Celebrations) – 10 minutes
Centering Song ………………………MCC RE River of Praise Band
Come and Fill Our Hearts
Come and fill our hearts with your peace
You alone, oh Lord, are holy
Come and fill our hearts with your peace
Alleluia (repeat three times)
Worship Song…………………………..MCC RE River of Praise Band
Through it All
I’ve had many tears and sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there’s been times I felt so all alone.
But in every situation,
God gave blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon God’s Word.
I’ve been to lots of places,
I’ve seen a lot of faces,
there’s been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know that I was his own
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon God’s Word.
I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Her for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
Through it all, through it all
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon God’s word,
I’ve learned to depend upon God’s word.
1st Reading ………………………………. Rev. Amie Giordano
First Reading: Luke 4:1-13 (Inclusive Bible)
Jesus returned from the Jordan filled with the Holy Spirit, and she led him into the desert for forty days, where he was tempted by the Devil. Jesus ate nothing during that time, at the end of which he was famished.
The Devil said to Jesus, “If you are God’s Own, command this stone to turn into bread.”
Jesus answered, “Scripture has it, ‘We don’t live on bread alone.’”
Then the Devil took Jesus up higher and showed him all the nations of the world in a single instant. The Devil said, “I’ll give you all the power and the glory of these nations; the power has been given to me and I can give it to whomever I wish. Prostrate yourself in homage before me, and it will all be yours.”
In reply, Jesus said, “Scripture has it: ‘You will worship the Most High God; God alone will you adore.’”
Then the Devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, set him up on the parapet of the Temple and said, “If you are God’s Own, throw yourself down from here, for scripture has it,
‘God will tell the angels to take care of you; with their hands they’ll support you, that you may never stumble on a stone.’ Jesus said to the Devil in reply, “It also says, ‘Do not put God to the test.’”
When the Devil had finished all this tempting, Jesus was left alone. The Devil awaited another opportunity.
2nd Reading………………………………….Rev. Amie Giordano
Mark 1:12-13 (Inclusive Bible)
Immediately the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness, and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.
Sermon: “Even in the Desert”……………… Rev. Amie Giordano
Prayer Song…………………………MCC RE River of Praise Band
One Hope
One hope, one voice, one light we see
One body, one heart, one destiny
Joined in your body, joined in your love
Eternally united by your love
Joined in your body, joined in your love
Eternally united by your love
Prayers of the People
(Praises, then Prayer Requests) …………….. Deb Beaucox-Jordan (RMCC)
Prayer Song…………………………MCC RE River of Praise Band
One Hope
One purpose, one dream, one life to live
One promise, one faith, one life to give
Joined in your body, joined in your love
Eternally united by your love
Joined in your body, joined in your love
Eternally united by your love
Celebration of Communion……………………Rick Rosser (MCC SF)
Closing Song…………………………MCC RE River of Praise Band
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Chorus
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul, worship your holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
Chorus
You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger,
Your Name is great and your heart is kind;
For all your goodness I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
Chorus
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul sings your praise unending,
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.
Chorus (x2)
Thank Yous/Wrap Up/ Celebrations (shared by each Pastor), and Benediction…………………………………………….Rev. Amie Giordano