First Sunday in Lent

The First Sunday in Lent February 21, 2021 

The Collect

 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 our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Old Testament Genesis 9:8-17 

God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” 

Psalm 25:1-9 

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 

my God, I put my trust in you; * 

let me not be humiliated, 

nor let my enemies triumph over me. 

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; * 

let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. 

3 Show me your ways, O LORD, * 

and teach me your paths. 

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * 

for you are the God of my salvation; 

in you have I trusted all the day long. 

5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, * 

for they are from everlasting. 

6 Remember not the sins 

of my youth and my transgressions; *

 remember me according to your love 

and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD. 

7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; * 

therefore he teaches sinners in his way. 

8 He guides the humble in doing right * 

and teaches his way to the lowly. 

9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *

 to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

                                                                                        

                                                                                        The Epistle 1 Peter 3:18-22 

Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. 

The Gospel Mark 1:9-15 

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 

Litany for the  First Sunday in Lent

Loving Creator, visible in all creation

our world is covered in ice and snow

hidden below is your work of renewal

renew us so we might rise to service.

Baptize us for your service, dear Lord.

A pandemic rages across our land

fear and hate have infected us all

we have not trusted in your goodness

nor sought you will in every day.

Baptize us for your service, dear Lord.

We have watched as many have died

we are helpless and restless in seclusion

you abide with us in every storm and season

help us to turn and see you in these days.

Baptize us for your service, dear Lord.

You sought out the deep Jordan waters

then went to the wilderness to pray

the Beloved One, Lamb of the living God

help us to see you the deep and dark places.

Baptize us for your service, dear Lord.

We are weak and feeling captive

Yet you have made us strong.

We are all miserable offenders

yet you have redeemed us all.

We are afraid and lacking faith

Yet you promise to restore us all.

Loving Savior, be our light 

Precious Jesus, lead us by hand.

Spirit of God, dwell with us today

Baptize us for your service, dear Lord.