Mill Plain UMC
Sunday February 26, 2023
The Mountain of Temptation
Scripture
Matthew 4:1-11
Songs
Bigger Table
Act Justly Love Mercy walk humbly
Forever
Not for a moment
How great is our God
I have decided to follow Jesus
Sing to the king
Give at MillplainUmc.org
Mill Plain UMC
February 26, 2023
9:30 a.m.
Prelude Bigger Table
Greeting
Call to Worship
Worship Assistant: If you are the Church of God, fill yourselves with potlucks and feasts in honor of Christ.
People: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Worship Assistant: If you are the Church of God, show off your faith with dramatic worship services and glamourous buildings.
People: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Worship Assistant: If you are the Church of God, fall down before those who promise prosperity and ease.
People: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Opening Prayer
Holy God, upon the mountain you reveled our messiah, who by his death and resurrection would fulfill both the law and the prophets.
By his transfiguration enlighten our path that we may dare to suffer with him in the service of humanity and so share in the everlasting glory of him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever. Amen.
(reprinted from The United Methodist Hymnal, copyright 1989, by permission of The United Methodist Publishing House.)
Praise Song Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
Praise Song Forever
Young Disciples Moment
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Offertory Not For a Moment
Presentation of Offerings
Doxology How Great Is our God
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying 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.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ’
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Sermon: The Mountain of Temptation
Prayer
Our God, we confess to you this day how we long to take the easy way. We want our faith to be one that offers us prosperity and promise. Too quickly we forget that Jesus walked the way of suffering and told his disciples to pick up their own crosses. Grant us such faith that we will, in good times and in hard times, follow Jesus in serving others and not our own pleasure. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Praise Song What a Friend I Have in Jesus
Benediction
The love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
Praise song Sing to the King
Postlude