Sunday, March 1, 2020

First Sunday in Lent


First Sunday in Lent – March 1, 2020 – Psalm 46
 
[1]
A mighty fortress is our God,
    A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
    And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe.
    With craft and dreadful might
    He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal. [2]

It is Christ who gives us peace in troubled times. Today is the first Sunday in the season of Lent. We will read of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1011) As He withstood the wiles of the devil, so He helps you in your struggles. He lived the perfect life for you. He laid down His life and took it up again to win for you salvation and life eternal. Christ your Savior and champion fights for you. It is only in Him that you stand.

A Mighty Fortress is our God! As you abide in Him, all that would distress and harm you melts away., His perfect peace, which only He can provide, gives you the strength you need as you live for Him in this world. Christ, who has made you a child of God your Father, bestows on you the peace that passes all understanding.  

Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth and the life, that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as You know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find You mighty to save; through Jesus Christ Your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[4] 

O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[5]

1. Luther’s Seal © Higher Things
2. A Mighty Fortress is our God © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100013721. Public domain
 3. Collect for the right knowledge of Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publish House, St, Louis
 4. Collect for First Sunday in Lent, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
 5. Collect for Lent 1 Lutheran Service Book  © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis


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