First Sunday in Lent
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: 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; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for First Sunday in Lent, 22nd Feb 2026
Welcome sisters and brothers and peace be with you. May the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. <Amen>
Immediately after his baptism - after the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and the voice of the Father declared, “This is my Son, the Beloved” and then <PAUSE> Jesus is led into the wilderness.
Not into applause, not into success, but into testing. <PAUSE>
Matthew tells us something important and unsettling: Jesus, the beloved Son of God, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be TEMPTED.
This is not a detour. This is part of a journey. <PAUSE>
Many of us assume that if we are close to God, life should get easier. However, Matthew 4:1-11 tells us a different story. Sometimes the place of testing is not a sign of God’s absence, but of God’s deep involvement. Let’s take a deeper look:
FIRSTLY: The Temptation of Provision
The first temptation comes when Jesus is hungry. Forty days without food. The devil says, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Notice the subtlety. This is not an invitation to do something evil. It is an invitation to use power for self-satisfaction. To meet a real need in a way that by-passes TRUST.
Jesus responds with Scripture:
“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Jesus refuses to reduce life to consumption. He reminds us that while bread matters, it is not everything. We are more than our appetites, our cravings, our immediate needs.
In a world that constantly tells us, “If you feel it, satisfy it; if you want it, take it.” Jesus says, “Trust God, even when you are hungry.” <PAUSE>
SECONDLY: The Temptation of Proof
Next, Jesus is taken to the pinnacle of the temple. The devil chides, “Throw yourself down … God will catch you.”
This is the temptation to force God’s hand. To demand signs. To confuse faith with spectacle.
Jesus answers, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Faith does NOT require God to “perform” on demand.
Trust does not need constant proof. Jesus refuses to turn relationship into manipulation.
How often are we tempted to say, “God, if you really love me, then…”
Jesus shows us a quieter, deeper faith - one that does not need to jump off buildings to be real.
THIRDLY : The Temptation of Power
Finally, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and says, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
This is the temptation to achieve things through incorrect means - and, by the way, oh how often we see this in the world of modern politics!
Jesus’ response is firm and final: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
There are always shortcuts on offer. Ways to avoid sacrifice. Ways to win without love. Ways to use threats and force to achieve desires. But Jesus chooses, and calls us to, faithfulness over success, and obedience over control. <LONG PAUSE>
All of this is great good news for us because … at the end of this gospel story story, the devil leaves, and angels come and minister to Jesus.
The good news is not that Jesus was tempted.
The good news is that Jesus stood where we stand and He did not walk away from God.
When we are tested - by hunger, by fear, by ambition - we are not alone. Christ has been there before us. Christ knows the wilderness, and Christ shows us that temptation does NOT have the final word.
I love this gospel story because it reminds us always that being tested does not mean being abandoned ….. it means we are being shaped. <PAUSE>
… and in every one of our own wildernesses, God is still present - feeding us not just with bread, but with grace. Accept the grace of Christ and to God will be the glory.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Holy God as we begin our Lenten journey, mindful of the temptation and suffering that Your son Jesus Christ endured in the wilderness. We ask for You to strengthen us, as we find ourselves in the desert of human faults, failings and sinfulness.
<Longer pause for personal reflection>
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God we ask for Your guidance in all that our faith community plans for the coming six weeks of Lent; for the Lenten events and for all special services and meeting to be held in our faith community.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, Your love reaches out to the boundaries our world, to the rich who have everything they need and the poor who have nothing except misery and oppression.
We pray for all Your people whoever they are, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances; that in their joy and sorrow, the knowledge of your presence might bring comfort, healing and restoration.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray against all areas of our society where good food is wasted or disposed of unnecessarily when it could be used to relieve suffering. We thank You for the work of food banks, charities and people which support disadvantaged individuals and communities.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we pray for all of those, dear to our hearts who are ill or in any kind of need. We ask for Your blessing on the healing services which are held for them and for all who have a special Healing Ministry within our faith communities.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, in Syria and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, when death comes close to us through the loss of a family member or friend help us to remember them and rejoice in their fellowship, giving thanks for the way that, as their lives touched ours, so we were enriched by that relationship.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed brothers, Vikram (India), Marcus (USA).
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Everlasting God Your love and forgiveness washes over us and astonishes us with generosity. May we go out from this time of prayer as people who enjoy complete forgiveness and a restored relationship with You and all those with whom we share our lives.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
