First Sunday of Lent

We have a 'creative church service based on the theme : “If you are the Son of God…”

Reading: Matthew 4: 1-11

As we talked about the temptations as a planning group, we realised that as well as what Jesus said to Satan to resist temptation, he also lived his resistance in different ways - he acted out his resistance to temptation as his life & ministry continued.
So we wil have three 'stations' to explor
1. ‘Turn these stone to bread’
Reflection on the Last Supper – “I am the bread of life”
With chunky bread to share.

2. ‘Throw yourself from the temple heights’
Reflection on Jesus being lifted up on the cross
Making crosses from wire & nails

3. ‘Bow down and worship me’
Jesus stoops to wash the disciples’ feet
Washing one another’s hands

Our gathering thoughts will reflect on what it truly means for Jesus to be the Son of God – and how we can reflect on that & develop and live out our own resistance to temptation, through Lent & Easter.

I am so struck by this new way of looking at the Temptation of Christ that I think my sermon for the 'main' service will also explore this.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Ruth,

I am searching for spiritual meaning in my life and take every opportunity i can to attend places of worship on special days. Today I attended Mass at the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruge. I was intrigued to gain a better understanding of what Lent means, what lessons we might learn from the challenges Jesus faced during this period of his life and how they might relate to me in my life today. I was intrigued to find that this First Sunday of Lent does not actually make up part of the '40 days'.
I'm taking a real stab in the dark here sending this to you but given that someone or something drew me to look at your blog maybe you can help.

Jack
13 March 2011 at 12:16
Ruth said…
Dear Jack,
Happy to try & help.
The 40 days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday (last Wednesday) & end on Easter Day - BUT the Sundays in Lent don't count as they are "mini celebrations" of the resurrection (every Sunday we remember jesus risen from the tomb).
Please feel free to ask more - or "drop in" here anytime - I try to make what I say credible for people wherever they are on a spiritual journey.
God bless you,
Ruth
13 March 2011 at 12:40
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