Dear friends,
As we begin the Lenten season, this Sunday we'll hear the Gospel story for the first Sunday of Lent: the temptation of Christ. In this passage, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He faces challenges from the devil. This story raises some interesting questions, including why the Holy Spirit would lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted when Jesus taught us in the Lord's Prayer to pray, "Lead us not into temptation?"
You will notice a few changes to the service this Sunday.
(1) Since Lent is a penitential season, we will be moving the confession, absolution, and peace toward the beginning of the service.
(2) Also, this being the first Sunday in Lent, I will read the Exhortation, a solemn call to self-examination, repentance, and renewal of faith, in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. The Exhortation is read three times yearly: the first Sunday of Advent, the First Sunday of Lent, and Trinity Sunday.
(3) We will also pray the Great Litany instead of the Prayers of the People. This is customary for the First Sunday of Advent and the First Sunday of Lent.
(4) Finally, for Lent the Ten Commandments will be read in place of the Summary of the Law.
I invite you to join me as we offer the sacrifice of praise to our Lord and explore His word to us!
Fr Ken
