This document provides the order of worship for Abiding Presence Lutheran Church on February 26, 2023. The service includes a welcome, confession and forgiveness, prayers, scripture readings from Psalm 32 and Matthew 4, hymns, communion, and a sending. The service focuses on God's forgiveness and mercy during Lent.

1. First Sunday in Lent
SUNDAY, February 26 • 11:00 A.M.

2. Welcome toWorship
You are welcome in this community of faith. If this is your first time worshiping at Abiding Presence us, we
want to extend a special word of welcome. We may need to learn new things to fully include you. It is our
hope that you will feel welcome and included when you are with us at Abiding Presence. You can read our
full welcome statement and learn more about our core values at AbidingPresence.net/corevalues.
Children in Worship
We love children in worship at Abiding Presence! Our goal is to equip parents, grandparents and other
adults in a child’s life to model what it looks like to be followers of Jesus in the world today. We encourage
children to participate in worship. We believe children “catch” the faith when they see their parents and
other adults in the faith community living out their faith through worship.
Before the service, pick up a children’s bag on the hooks outside of the sanctuary. During the service, you
can help your child follow along with what is happening in worship with this bulletin. We believe children
worship through their wiggles and giggles. That said, we also know sometimes kids just aren’t in a
worshiping mood. Our children’s corner is located right outside of the sanctuary with rocking chairs and
toys. Diaper changing stations are located in both hallway bathrooms.
Holy Communion
We believe Holy Communion is a gift from God to show us God’s love for us. It is the body and blood of
Christ. When we say “all are welcome,” we really mean it! Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are
welcome at the Lord’s Table. Children are welcome to communion at any age. If you or your child would
prefer to receive a blessing rather than the sacrament of Holy Communion, please let the pastors know
when you come forward.
Looking for a Church Home?
The pastors will be greeting people following the service and would enjoy the chance to meet you. If you
would like to talk more about the church or if we can be of support to you, please contact Pastor Keseley,
Senior Pastor. In case of a pastoral emergency, she can be reached on her cell phone at 410-599-3803.

3. 3 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
ORDER OF
WORSHIP
GATHERING
Welcome
*Confession & Forgiveness
P Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who journeys with us these forty days,
and sustains us with the gift of grace.
C Amen.
P Let us acknowledge before God and one another our need for repentance and
God’s mercy.
Silence is kept for re
fl
ection.
P Holy God,
C we confess to you our faults and failings.
Too often we neglect and do not trust your holy word;
we take for ourselves instead of giving to others;
we spoil rather than steward your creation;
we cause hurt though you call us to heal;
we choose fear over compassion.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,
as we seek to follow in your way of life.
Amen.
P Hear the good news: God so loved the world that God gave the only Son, so
that all may receive life. This promise is for you! God embraces you with
divine mercy, ☩ forgives you in Christ’s name, and revives you in the Spirit’s
power.
C Amen.
*Please stand as you are able
Scan here or visit
AbidingPresence.net/here to
check in for worship and let us
know you are here.

4. 4 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Gathering Hymn “Praise and Thanks and Adoration” ELW 783
*Greeting
P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C And also with you.

5. 5 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Kyrie

6. 6 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Prayer of the Day
P Let us pray. Lord God, our strength, the struggle between good and evil rages
within and around us, and the devil and all the forces that defy you tempt us
with empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your word, and when we fall, raise
us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C
Amen.
Children’s Message Michaela Silvis,
Children & Family Minister
“May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD smile down on you and show you
kindness. May the LORD answer your prayers and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 ERV
WORD
Scripture Reading—Psalm 32
1Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven,
and whose sin is put away!
2Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3While I held my tongue, my bones withered away,
because of my groaning all day long.
4For your hand was heavy upon me day and night;
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the
guilt of my sin.
6Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble;
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
7You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
8“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;
I will guide you with my eye.
9Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;
who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.”

7. 7 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
10Great are the tribulations of the wicked;
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
11Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord;
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
*Lenten Gospel Acclamation
*Gospel—Matthew 4:1-11
P The holy gospel according to Matthew. C Glory to you, O Lord.
1Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He
fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter
came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to
become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth
of God.’ ”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the
temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is
written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will
bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give
you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you,
Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”
11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
P The gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.
Homily Pastor Kresse, Associate Pastor

8. 8 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Hymn of the Day “Oh, Love, How Deep” ELW 322

9. 9 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Apostles’ Creed
C I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Prayers of Intercession
P Merciful God, C receive our prayer.
*Peace
P The peace of Christ be with you always. C And also with you.
MEAL
Offering—We invite you to give online at AbidingPresence.net/give
Musical Offering “Remember You Are Dust” D. Chávez
Abiding Presence Choir

10. 10 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Offertory
*Offering Prayer
P Let us pray. God of good gifts, receive these and all our offerings as we
present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Prepare our
hearts to receive you in this meal as you pour out your very presence through
Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life.
C Amen.

11. 11 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Great Thanksgiving
*Proper Preface

12. 12 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Sanctus
*Words of Institution
*The Lord’s Prayer
C Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

13. 13 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
Communion Distribution
“The body of Christ, given for you.” ! “The blood of Christ, shed for you.”
Lamb Of God
Distribution Music
*Blessing
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in
his grace.
C Amen.
*Prayer after Communion
P Let us pray. Embodied God, at your table, we have tasted the goodness of
Jesus. With the eyes of our hearts open to your promise, empower us to hear
the needs of our neighbors and touch the world with your love.
C Amen.
SENDING
*Benediction
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace.
C Amen.

14. 14 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
*Sending Hymn “The Glory of These Forty Days” ELW 320

15. 15 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
This service is livestreamed. Material reprinted from Sundays and Seasons.com, Copyright 2005, Augsburg Fortress, All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under
Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SAS002622. New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Music reprinted with permission under the following licenses:
CCLI 1467952, ONE LICENSE A-707359. Music streaming licensed by WorshipCast.
*Dismissal
P Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.

16. 16 11:00 a.m. • February 26, 2023
6304 Lee Chapel Road • Burke, VA 22015
AbidingPresence.net
703-455-7500
facebook.com/AbidingPresence
@AbidingPresELCA
instagram.com/AbidingPresence
/c/AbidingPresenceLutheranChurchBurkeVA
Rev. Meredith Keseley, Senior Pastor • pastorkeseley@abidingpresence.net
Rev. Kelsey Kresse, Associate Pastor • pastorkresse@abidingpresence.net
David Chávez, Music & Worship Minister • dave@abidingpresence.net
Michaela Silvis, Children & Family Minister • michaela@abidingpresence.net