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First Sunday in Lent • Year B
February 18, 2024
Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color photo-graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. Tutorials available. Original image at right
Historical Collect
O Lord God, you would have us put no trust in anything we do. Mercifully grant that by your power we may be defended against all adversity; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gregorian Sacramentary)
Thematic Collect
Holy God, through the covenant of baptism you give us new life for the sake of the world. Sustain us by your Holy Spirit, strengthen us in times of temptation and protect us from all evil; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
Every good gift is provided by God. The child of promise and the ram in the thicket, the forgiveness of sins and salvation, wisdom and the word of truth, Jesus and the kingdom of God. Repent. Believe.
First Reading • Genesis 22:1-18
How awful it must have been for Abraham to take his son up the mountain, believing he was to die — at his father's hand. Yet, is this not what we do as we take our own children “up the mountain” to God? When we walk them up the aisle to the font, we usher them to their death. In the waters of baptism, our children are united in the death of Jesus. In this death there is eternal life, because in baptism, one not only unites in Christ's death but also joins in his resurrection (Rom 6:5).
Psalm • Psalm 25:1-10
The impulse is to fix things ourselves. After all, who else will do it for us? Indeed, who else but the Lord? We may place our trust in him. If we are patient, learning his ways and walking in his truth as we wait for him, we will not be put to shame. Our souls are in his care; offer them up to the Lord. Give yourselves wholly over to God and receive all the Lord's blessings of unfaltering love and faithful mercy.
Second Reading • James 1:12-18
Just as God created the lights in the beginning (Gen 1:3-5) and all the lights in the heavens (Gen 1:14-19), he continues to give us good gifts. There is no “shifting shadow” with God, no variation in his goodness. As he created light in the darkness, so he produces in our darkness the light of his own Son. He is in the process of restoring creation, and he has begun with us, recreating us in baptism by the word of truth.
Gospel • Mark 1:9-15
“Thy kingdom come!” The kingdom of God is ushered in upon earth, even as it is in heaven, through Jesus. This is clearly seen in Jesus' baptism and the word of God that enjoined it: “You are my beloved Son!” We, too, when we are baptized, put on Christ (Gal 3:27), are clothed with his righteousness, are covered by the Word of God — and please the Father.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
