THE WORSHIP of GOD First Sunday in Lent GATHERING

“Christ in the Desert,” 1872 by Ivan Kramskoi, Russian Realist (1837-1887) The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

THE WORSHIP OF GOD First Sunday in Lent February 21, 2021

Memorial Baptist Church Outdoors at 11:00 a.m. Buies Creek, North Carolina Online at www.memorialbcnc.org

Lord, who throughout these forty days for us did fast and pray, Teach us, with you, to mourn our sins and close by you to stay.

As you with Satan did contend, and did the vict’ry win, O give us strength in you to fight, in you to conquer sin.

As you did hunger bear and thirst, so teach us, gracious Lord, To die to self and always live by your most holy word.

And through these days of penitence, and through your Passiontide, Forevermore, in life and death, O Lord, with us abide.

Abide with us, that when this life of suffering is past, An Easter of unending joy we may attain at last!

~ A hymn for Lent, text by Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873

GATHERING

WELCOME and INVOCATION Ad. fr. The Book of Common Prayer Meredith Lanier, Associate Pastor Collect for the First Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted: 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; in the name of that same Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray: Amen.

PRELUDE God So Loved the World J. Stainer Phillip Morrow, piano arr. F. Bock CALL TO PRAYER Hebrews 4: 14-16 Edward Beddingfield,Pastor

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, even Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Mr. Beddingfield

ASSURANCE OF GRACE Psalm 91 Ms. Lanier and Mr. Beddingfield

Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For the Lord will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence – who covers you with his pinions, and under whose wings you will find refuge; whose faithfulness is as a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near to you. You need only look with your eyes and see the punishment that befalls the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, and no scourge shall come near your tent. For the Lord will give the angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways; on their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample under your foot. Thus says the Lord: Those who love me, I will deliver. I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days LAND OF REST Advent Birmingham

PROCLAIMING

GOSPEL Matthew4: 1-11 Ms. Lanier The Temptation of Christ.

SERMON So Easy to Go Wrong Mr. Beddingfield

RESPONDING

VOCAL TESTIMONY I Stand Amazed Jan Sanborn Susan Morrow, soprano

OFFERTORY INVITATION and LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY Ms. Lanier

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and The Lord’s Prayer Ms. Lanier SENDING

BENEDICTION ad. fr. John Claypool Mr. Beddingfield

Go now into God’s world as those who are called to be God’s people, remembering as you go that by God’s goodness you were born into this life, by God’s grace you have been kept to this very hour, and by God’s love, fully revealed in Jesus Christ, you are being redeemed, now and forevermore. Amen.

POSTLUDE Improvisation on We Shall Overcome arr. Haywood Dr. Carl Haywood, organ Norfolk State University

PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

Members: Alisha Das, Debbie Appel, Bob and Jeanne Barker, Mary Lou Ellen, Barrett Kesling, Ofelia Hoyle, Cade Riggs, Earl Savage, Doris Eller, Colon Jackson, Linda Smith, Pauline Calloway

Family and Friends: Don Barker (brother of Bob Barker), Roberta Blackwell (sister of Anne McClain), Andrew Seilus (co- worker of Ellen Bryce, Charissa English and Susan Morrow), Rayden Bradley, Heather Livesay, Family of Billie Tripp, Linda Martin (former church member)

Arbor Landing at Ocean Isle (Shallotte): Pat Stiller

Oak Hill Assisted Living Center (Angier): Ester Howard and Frances McQuade

The MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas): David Price

Windsor Point (Fuquay Varina): Elizabeth (Lib) Byrd

Deployed: Chad Griffo

In order to keep our prayer list current, we will place names on the list for one month. After one month we will remove names from the list. If there is a need for a name to be on the list for a longer period, please notify us and we will be happy to comply.

The rose this morning is placed to welcome

Deacon Daesun Spainhour,

born to Ben and Grace Spainhour

on February 11, 2021.

He weighed 8 lbs. and 7 oz.

The proud Grandparents are Tom and Lisa Spainhour!

Big sister Addie and big brother Benson are elated as well as Uncle Nate!

The persistent generosity of Memorial Baptist Church is a great blessing. Please remember your faithful giving during this difficult time. Though we are unable to meet in person, the work of our church goes on, as does our commitment to support our various partners in mission.

You may mail your tithes and offerings to the church (PO Box 485, Buies Creek, NC 27506), OR click the “Donate” tab on the website, OR use the QR code below, OR bring them by the office between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If you don’t want to come into the building, call us at (910) 893-4162 and we will meet you at your car under the drive-thru.