Worship Service - March 9, 2025

                                             Elkton United Methodist Church

                                                       First Sunday in Lent

                                                     Sunday, March 9, 2025

                                                                 10:00 a.m.

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GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE................................................... “AH, HOLY JESUS”¹................. ARR. BY MARY MCDONALD

INTROIT........................................................ “LORD, IS IT I?”¹........................................ CHANCEL CHOIR

OPENING

TIME OF CENTERING PRAYER

RESPONSE #3119 (TFWS)............................................................................... “TAKE, O TAKE ME AS I AM”

Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be; set your seal upon my heart and 

live in me.

**CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:       On this first Sunday in Lent, we join Jesus in the wilderness, a place of wild and

                   dangerous things, of testing and temptation away from the security of home.

People:      God, rescue us in the wilderness!

Leader:       Once again, we watch and listen as Satan throws out temptation upon temptation, 

                   and we find our security in Jesus, who does not waver from the truth.

People:      God, rescue us in the wilderness!

Leader:       Once again, we face our own frailty and realize that the wilderness is not nearly as 

                   dangerous as our choices to prioritize selfish gain and hoarding of power.

People:      God, rescue us in the wilderness!

Leader:       Once again, we call upon God in the wildernesses of our lives, and we trust God’s 

                   faithful reply:

All:             Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When 

                   they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue 

                   them and honor them. Thanks be to God! AMEN.

**HYMN #269 (UMH)................................................. “LORD, WHO THROUGHOUT THESE FORTY DAYS”

CALL TO CONFESSION

The proof of God’s amazing love is this:  While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  

Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence.  In faith and 

penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)

Jesus, we confess that when we read about your temptations, we excuse ourselves.  After 

all, we reason, we are not you.  Of course, you passed the test, we say.  You’re God, right? 

But we mere mortals have no expectation that we can withstand evil like you did.  But we 

are reminded that you are not only Savior; you are example.  You faced the temptation to 

prove yourself, to be spectacular, and to reveal your power in our lives.  Forgive us when 

we have not resisted sin; when we have yielded to temptation.  Forgive us for loving power 

and prestige more than God.  Help us to choose a life rooted in God’s word and grace.

AMEN.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

WORDS OF PARDON AND ASSURANCE

Leader:    Now return to the Lord, recognizing your sin but accepting of God’s amazing grace.

People:   Thanks be to God!  By God’s grace we are forgiven!  AMEN.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON, ROMANS 10:8B-13 (PAGE 160)

Leader:   This is the Word of God for the people of God.

People:  Thanks be to God!

MUSICAL OFFERING.......... “JESUS WALKED THIS LONESOME VALLEY”¹.......... CHANCEL CHOIR

**GOSPEL LESSON, LUKE 4:1-13 (PAGE 61)

Leader:      This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People:     Thanks be to God!

**RESPONSE #3137 (W&S).................................................. “LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR LIGHT SHINES”

Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us. Let not my doubts nor my darkness speak 

to me. Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us. Let my heart always welcome your 

love.

SERMON............................................. “CHRISTIAN CHARACTER: .......................... REV. ERIC WARNER

                                                              CONFESSION AND BELIEF”

**RESPONSE #2123 (TFWS)................................................................................................... “LOVING SPIRIT”

PRAYER CONCERNS/PASTORAL PRAYER

RESPONSE #2215 (TFWS)................................................................................................. “CARES CHORUS”

I cast all my cares upon you, I lay all of my burdens down at your feet, and anytime that 

I don't know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY

**DOXOLOGY #95 (UMH)..................................... “PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

**OFFERTORY PRAYER

**HYMN #555 (UMH)............................................................................... “FORWARD THROUGH THE AGES”

**CHORAL BENEDICTION......................... “GRACE TO YOU”¹....................................... CHANCEL CHOIR

**CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love. 

POSTLUDE..................................................... “SERENITY”¹........................................ JAMES MANSFIELD

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                        The flowers on the altar are in memory of my father, John Vernon Nickle,

                                                            presented by Carol Ann Nickle

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**Indicates the congregation should stand if able

UMH: United Methodist Hymnal (red cover)

TFWS: The Faith We Sing (black cover)

W&S: Worship & Song (green cover)

¹Public Music performance provided for and reported to CCLI Licensing

Copyright License: #1824650/Recording License:  CSPL148932