SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | LENT - FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT (B)

Revised Common Lectionary 2-18-2024: First Sunday in Lent

Old Testament Genesis 9:8–17

Psalm Psalm 25:1–10

New Testament 1 Peter 3:18–22

Gospel Mark 1:9–15

Good morning,

Our First Sunday in Lent - our journey in the desert, our contemplative season leading up to Easter. In Genesis, paradoxically, there is an end to one such journey - not through a desert, but through the endless waters following the world being flooded. And then a release through landing the ark and receiving a promise through a rainbow that the world will never be flooded again. A lot of folklore there as many ancient cultures have a flood narrative - perhaps reflecting a real event. I think the important bit is that even God recognizes it that it is not the best way to do things, floods and all, going forward.

In Mark, we are looping back to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Mark. As you can see once more Mark is definitely trying to save some precious papyrus space and within a longer paragraph we go from Jesus coming from Nazareth to John the Baptist, being baptized by him, there is the Spirit descending and a voice: You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” then Mark mentions that Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan..... And then John was arrested and Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Impressive, some evangelists spend whole chapters with it and Mark squeezes it into a paragraph. More effective than a newspaper headline!

You know, over all, the texts are fairly positive, surprisingly. And well, Lent doesn’t have to be a doom and gloom season either - increasingly, we theologians question whether this fasting from ordinary luxuries like chocolate or preference options like meat should be really a thing. And the answer is that perhaps fasting can be a positive action, rather than a negative one. For example, I am happy to see that Greece chooses to fast from bigotry and legalizes same sex marriage, first predominantly Christian Orthodox country to do so. Students and staff at Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Coral Springs gathered together on the PE field Wednesday morning to create the shape of a heart in honor of the 17 victims that died six years ago in the Parkland school shooting. They are fasting from hate and choose to love.

Positive action as a response to contemplation of the season, rather than denying oneself. One University Church is calling on congregants to fast from bad theology and let me tell you, there are not enough Sundays in Lent to cover it all - inerrancy of Bible, preaching fear of Hell instead of God’s grace, portraying God as an old gray haired guy on a cloud, teaching that we are here to only save people’s souls without the care for the rest of their existence etc.

This Lent season, let’s find a positive spin to “fasting from” - let us fast from expecting better treatment just because we are Christians and work on treating others better; let us fast from hurtful words and narratives and choose lovingkindness towards ourselves and others; let us fast from being fearful of what God thinks of us and instead let us turn towards others with God’s inclusion and care and so on.

The world continues to spin and not very positively so - Putin might stay the Russian president again, especially after a suspicious death of his imprisoned opposition leader Navalny, Trump gains more supporters despite his mounting lost court cases, tremendous loss of life continues both in Palestine and Ukraine, more abortion restrictions on the horizon… Jesus too was in the desert while the world continued to be a similarly messed up place, but he focused on getting through the wilderness, so that he can be active within the world. I believe God encourages us to do likewise - take this time to power up through the Holy Spirit for the rest of the year - I like what Jon Stewart said upon his return to Daily Show - sure, you have to worry about the election day, but also the time before and after forever. As Christians, we look forward to Easter, but we’ve got God’s mission to attend to , both before and after Easter…forever! With God’s help and blessing on our journey. Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM IN VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

How to Use This Section

We are given many names in life: the things people call us and the names we call ourselves. Those names can be uplifting or they can be hurtful and degrading. In our baptism, whether as an infant or an adult, God gives each of us the name “Child of God” and claims us as God’s own. It is important to be reminded of that name and what it means to be God’s child and to live in God’s ways. That is why we affirm, or remember and reclaim, our baptism: to be reminded of who and whose we are. This small service can be done within a worship service or in the community of two or three persons. This service may be led by a chaplain or by any believer.

Gathering

If possible, a bowl of water may be placed in the midst of those who are gathered. If this order takes place in the chapel, the baptismal font may be used as the place of gathering.

Those present may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the leader begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation. Amen.

The leader may note the occasion for this affirmation. These or similar words may also be used.

Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism, and we come before God with  name/s  as they make affirmation of their baptism into Christ.

Let us pray.

Merciful God, we thank you that you have made us your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called us to yourself, enlightened us with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished us in the community of faith. Uphold us and all your servants in the gifts and promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ.

Amen.

Reading

One or more scripture passages may be read. Readings may be selected from other sections of this volume, or other appropriate readings may be chosen.

Silence for reflection may follow the reading of scripture. Other forms of reflection may also follow, such as brief comment by the leader, personal witness by one who is making an affirmation of baptism, or guided conversation among those present.

A hymn may be sung.

Profession of Faith

The leader addresses those making affirmation of their baptism.

I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

Response: I renounce them.

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

Response: I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?

Response: I renounce them.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

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.

Affirmation

The leader addresses those who are making affirmation of their baptism.

You have made profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:

to live among God’s faithful people,

to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,

to proclaim the good news of God in Christ

through word and deed,

to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,

and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

Response: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

The leader may address others who are present.

People of God, do you promise to support  name/s  and pray for themin their life in Christ?

We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

The leader prays for God’s blessing.

Let us pray.

We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life.

The following words of blessing may be repeated for each person. The leader may lay both hands on the head of the person and say:

Stir up in  name  the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.

The leader continues.

Name/s  , we rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.

A hymn, song, or psalm may be sung and may be accompanied by a reminder of baptism.

Prayers

You may pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Blessing

The order concludes with this or another suitable blessing.

Almighty God, who gives us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgives us all our sins, strengthen us in all goodness and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From sundaysandseasons.com.

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