January 15
Tempted in the Wilderness
Year 1 ( 2022 – 2023 )
Text:
Matthew 4:1-17
Summary:
Jesus fasts in the wilderness and overcomes the voice of the Tempter.
Call to Worship
One: O God, you meet us in the wilderness:
All: in the wilderness of this world,
in the wilderness of our lives,
in the blur and bewilderment of
questions, temptations, doubts, and despair.
One: You are with us, O God,
as many voices try to capture our attention, and capture our hearts –
All: voices that lie:
promising fulfillment through greed,
promising prosperity through power,
promising safety through self-centeredness.
One: O God, make a Way through this wilderness.
All: Lead us from lies into truth.
One: Help us to hear your voice through it all.
All: Remind us who we are, for you know and love us through and through.
Congregational Song Suggestions
“God Calls You Good”
VT 172
“I Need Thee Every Hour”
GTG 735, OLOFOB 154
“Jesus, Tempted in the Desert”
OLOFOB 304, VT 307
“O God, You Search Me”
GTG 29, VT 199
“Seek Ye First*”
(*Some versions include a third stanza, “You shall not live by bread alone…”)
GTG 175, VT 417
“When We Are Tested”
GTG 783, OLOFOB 307
Beyond the Hymnal
“You Gotta Serve Somebody”
by Bob Dylan