As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how He gives us that love, especially in the gift of the forgiveness of sins.
Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Holy Week is coming soon, March 28 – April 4. There have been a lot of great hymns and songs written over the years for these holy days.
Do you have any favorite hymns or songs that you would like to sing on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter?
Let me know.
Send me your hymn and song requests through the Contact Us form.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:
Before we start, please share the live stream on your favorite social media site and invite your friends.
Worship Service for March 7, 2021 at 11 AM
Welcome
Opening Song: Father Abraham
Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s just praise the Lord
Right arm
Left arm
Right foot
Left foot
Turn around
Sit down
Invocation
Confession and Forgiveness:
P: We have come here today to worship the Lord. In worship we hear the Word of God, we receive God’s blessings, and respond with thanks and praise. We begin by seeking God’s blessing of forgiveness. He has promised to remove the guilt and shame of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
P: Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)
P: Heavenly Father,
C: Heavenly Father,
P: I have done things that were wrong.
C: I have done things that were wrong.
P: I have been mean to others.
C: I have been mean to others.
P: I have not obeyed my parents.
C: I have not obeyed my parents.
P: I have not obeyed You, God.
C: I have not obeyed You, God.
P: But I am very sorry.
C: But I am very sorry.
P: Please forgive me.
C: Please forgive me.
P: I love You very much.
C: I love You very much.
P: And I know You love me, too.
C: And I know You love me, too.
P: God has heard your apology. He loves you very much. God has told us that when we believe and trust in Him, He makes us His children. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. He has told me to tell you that you are forgiven. So, as His servant, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Song: Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.
Chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, He who died. Heaven’s gates to open wide.
He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.
(Chorus)
Jesus loves me when I’m good, when I do the things I should.
Jesus loves me when I’m bad, even though it makes Him sad.
(Chorus)
First Reading – John 2:13–17
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Children’s Message “Is It Ok To Get Angry?”
Second Song: How Great Is Our God
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice
Chorus:
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands
Beginning and the end, beginning at the end
The Godhead, three in one, Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb.
Chorus:
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names, Worthy of all praise,
My heart will sing How great is our God
Chorus x2
Second Reading – John 2:18–22
So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Children’s Message “Show Us a Sign!!”
Sermon Hymn – Thy Strong Word
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee,
While Thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of thy salvation,
Breathed thine own life-giving breath.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Thy strong Word be- speaks us righteous;
Bright with thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory,
And our lives our hope con- fess.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
From the cross thy wisdom shining
Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might;
From the cross for-ever beameth
All thy bright redeeming light.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Give us lips to sing thy glory,
Tongues thy mercy to pro- claim,
Throats to shout the hope that fills us,
Mouths to speak thy holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Sermon – “Let’s Face It. It Seems Like Foolishness To Some”
Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
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
Words of Institution
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.
Distribution
Prayer
Closing Song – The Blessing
Verse 1:
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace
Chorus:
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Repeat
Verse 1
Chorus
May His favor be upon you, And a thousand generations
And your family and your children,
And their children and their children
Repeat
May His presence go before you, and behind you and beside you
All around you and within you.
He is with you. He is with you
In the morning, in the evening.
In your coming and your going, in your weeping and rejoicing
He is with you. He is with you.
He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you.
He is for you. He is for you.
Chorus
Offering
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 10 – Mid-Week Lent Devotional Service
Online – Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
Thursday, March 11, 7am & 7pm – Tamp Lutherans Pray
TampaLutheransPray.com
Submit prayer requests on the site by Wednesday
Connect with us:
In this blog, I thought I would talk about one of my favorite bible characters.
Gideon.
Now in the grand scheme of things, he is kinda overlooked. He doesn’t have a long story, rather kind of small, in the Bible. God saved Israel through Gideon, but Gideon was not sure of himself to lead Gods people. I mean, who wouldn’t be? It is a huge job!!
So Gideon asked for signs from God and God delivered the signs to Gideon to lead his people.
My Take
What I take away from the story is that Gideon is just like us. Sometimes we feel that God has a made a mistake in choosing us to serve people, do some ministry, or speak to people about His Word.
I know in my life, I have questioned God over and over and asked Him to send a sign to let me know I am doing the right thing. While God, Himself, does not come down and tell me, He leaves His Word and other Christians to help me on my spiritual journey.
That is also what He does for all of us.
When you think you cannot do something, look to Judges 6 and read the story of Gideon. It may inspire you to not be nervous to talk about God because He is always with us and God will lead us on the correct path.
‘Till next time,
Terrell
As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how God paid for our salvation with the greatest of all sacrifices.
Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:
Before we start, please share the live stream on your favorite social media site and invite your friends.
Worship Service for February 28, 2021, at 11 AM
Welcome
Opening Song: Faithful
Faithful, forever You are faithful.
Father to the fatherless
You uphold the one who feels forsaken.
You are faithful, God
Faithful, forever You are faithful.
Lover of the wounded heart
You defend the poor and the forgotten.
You are faithful, God
Chorus:
And I will sing to the maker of Heaven and Earth
God, You reign forever and Your love will endure
Faithful and true is the name of the Lord.
You are faithful, God
Faithful, forever You are faithful.
Shelter for the fragile soul
You lift us up, You hold us all together.
You are faithful, God
Chorus
You are there in every season of my soul.
You are there, You’re the anchor that will hold
You are there in the valley of the shadows.
You are faithful, God
Repeat
And I will sing to the maker of Heaven and Earth
God, You reign forever and Your love will endure
Faithful and true is the name of the Lord.
You are faithful, God.
You are faithful, God
Invocation
Confession and Forgiveness:
P: Come into the presence of the Lord our God.
C: Have mercy, O Lord. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand; but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)
P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Let us confess our sin before the Lord. Let us confess together.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners. We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
P: The Lord is gracious and merciful. He promises to forgive our sins. Therefore, upon this, your confession, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Chorus:
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.
My God, My Savior has ransomed me.
And like a flood his mercy reigns.
Unending love, amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Chorus x 2
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine…
Will be forever mine… You are forever mine.
Epistle Reading – Romans 5:6–11
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Epistle or Gospel Reading – Mark 8:27–38
And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Children’s Message
Sermon Hymn – By Grace I’m Saved
By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe and doubt it not.
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?
No! Then this word must true remain;
By grace you too will life obtain.
By grace God’s Son, our only Savior,
Came down to earth to bear our sin.
Was it because of your own merit,
That Jesus died your soul to win?
No, it was grace, and grace alone,
That brought Him from His heav’nly throne.
By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;
In Jesus’ promise I rejoice;
For though I know my heart’s condition,
I also know my Savior’s voice.
My heart is glad, all grief has flown,
Since I am saved by grace alone.
Sermon – ” Blessing a Sinner Who Still Sins”
Genesis 17:1-7, 15–16
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you…
And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”
Prayers
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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
Words of Institution
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.
Distribution
Prayer
Benediction
Offering
Closing Song: Reckless Love
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath you breathed your life into me
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus:
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh it chases me down. Fights till I’m found. Leaves the ninety-nine
Oh I couldn’t earn it. I don’t deserve it. Still, you give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so Good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so Kind to me
Chorus:
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh it chases me down. Fights till I’m found. Leaves the ninety-nine
Oh I couldn’t earn it. I don’t deserve it. Still, you give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
There’s no shadow you won’t light up
Mountain you won’t climb up coming after me
There’s no wall you won’t kick down
Lie you won’t tear down coming after me
Chorus
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 3 – Mid-Week Lent Devotional Service
Online – Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
Thursday, March 4, 7am & 7pm – Tamp Lutherans Pray
TampaLutheransPray.com
Submit prayer requests on the site by Wednesday
Saturday, March 6, 11:30am – 2pm Youth Event – Escape Room
Imagine Escape Rooms https://breakoutgames.com/tampa
2830 E Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL 33613
Cost $24/person
Saturday, March 6, 7pm – Congregational Meeting about a New Facility
“Exploring Our Options”
Zoom
Connect with us:
On Saturday, March 6 we are having a youth event at Imagine Escape Rooms. We’ll meet at 11:30 am and check-in for the rooms. Then we’ll have Bible discussion time before testing our ingenuity in the escape room and having a great time doing it. Afterward, we’ll take a few minutes to just hang out and share stories of our harrowing escape.
When: Saturday, March 6, 11:30 am – 2 pm
Where: Imagine Escape Rooms
2830 E Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL 33613
Cost: $24/person
Please sign-up by Sunday, February 28, so we can make sure we have enough rooms reserved.
Invite a friend!
This week I thought and thought on what we can talk about… I finally decided on this topic.
Choices.
I remember in my younger days; I had many choices. To do this or do that. I can only imagine how hard it has become with social media influences, with school, and even family pressures.
Life is going to be a constant balancing act, but I like to remember Proverbs 16:9,
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”
That reminds me that with all the choices we have in the world, God really is in control of our paths.
He knows us and wants the best for us.
I always like to end our discussions with prayer. It really does help. Also, if you feel something is wrong, talk to someone and be honest. You will be surprised how many people understand life’s choices.
Til next time,
Terrell
As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how it provides for us every thing we need for life and salvation.
Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, February 21, 2021. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:
Before we start, please share the live stream on your favorite social media site and invite your friends.
Worship Service for February 21, 2021 at 11 AM
Welcome
Opening Song: Cornerstone
My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ name
Chorus:
Christ alone, Cornerstone,
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil
Chorus
He is Lord. Lord of all
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless, stand before the throne
Invocation
Song: The Steadfast Love
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning, New every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness
(repeat)
Confession and Forgiveness:
P: When God created mankind, He said mankind was very good. Then man rebelled against God and sin entered the world. Immediately after, God promised a savior to save His rebellious creation.
C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.
P: In the fullness of time, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law.
C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.
P: At His baptism, Jesus was numbered among us sinners that He might offer Himself as a sacrifice upon the cross for sinners.
C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.
P: Through Jesus Christ, God bids us come to Him and confess our sins, promising to forgive our sins and purify us.
C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day. Let us confess our sins and seek God’s mercy.
(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart and have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen
P: The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. Therefore, I announce unto you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.
The Steadfast Love
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning, New every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness
Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Happy Day
The greatest day in history, Death is beaten, You have rescued me
Sing it out, Jesus is alive The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal, You have won the day
Shout it out, Jesus is alive, He’s alive
Chorus:
oh, happy day, happy day! You washed my sin away
oh, happy day, happy day! I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed
When I stand in that place, Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours, Jesus, You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace. Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate, Jesus is alive, He’s alive
Chorus
Oh, what a glorious day! What a glorious way! That You have saved me.
And oh, what a glorious day! What a glorious name! Yeah!
oh, happy day, happy day! You washed my sin away
oh, happy day, happy day! I’ll never be the same
oh, happy day, happy day! You washed my sin away
oh, happy day, happy day! I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 22:1-18
Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:9–15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Children’s Message
Sermon Hymn – It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul”
Chorus:
It is well, (it is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet tho’ trials may come,
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
Chorus
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin not in part but in whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord oh my soul!
Chorus
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
Even so it is well with my soul
Chorus 2x
Sermon – “Enduring Testing and Temptation“
James 1:12-18
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Prayers
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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
Words of Institution
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.
Distribution
Prayer
Benediction
Closing Song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Chorus:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.
Chorus
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Chorus
Offering
Upcoming Events
Congregational Meeting about a New Facility
“Exploring Our Options”
Time and Date – TBD
Wednesday, February 24 – Mid-Week Lent Devotional Service
Online – Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com
Thursday, February 25, 7am & 7pm – Tamp Lutherans Pray
TampaLutheransPray.com
Submit prayer requests on the site by Wednesday
Saturday, March 7, 11:30am – 2pm Youth Event – Escape Room
Imagine Escape Rooms https://breakoutgames.com/tampa
2830 E Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL 33613
Cost $24/person
Connect with us:
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