The First Sunday In Lent

February 10, 2008 9:00am

Thank You for sharing this time of worship with us. Do come again! If you do not have a local church home, we invite you to make your home with us. You will find Christian love, opportunities for spiritual growth, warm friendships, and an appreciation of being part of God’s family.

Please Don’t Rush Off After The Worship Service. Stick around for some refreshments and a little conversation. We hope you are able to stay!

Assisting Us In Worship This Morning

Don & Ann Karpenko, greeters

Robert Averbeck, organist

We Gather To Worship The Lord

Order of Service: The Service of the Word, page 38 in the front of the hymnal

Hymns: 255 396 378 423

Psalm: Psalm 130, page 114 in the front of the hymnal

Message: Genesis 3:5

“Do You Like What You See?”

OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 2:7-9,15-17: 3:1-7

The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-- trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

... The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

... Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

EPISTLE Romans 5:12-19

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the One to come.

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one Man, Jesus Christ.

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous.

HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

The tempter came to Him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give You," he said, "if You will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"

Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.

Visitors: Please include your email address in the Friendship Register information. Thanks!

Books! Books! Books! We have a cart full of FREE books located in the upper hallway by the Fireside Room. Most are brand new! Please help yourselves to as many as you want. They’re yours to keep. Enjoy!

Marlene Semling would like to express her sincere appreciation to all who provided food and/or helped set up and serve for George’s funeral service. Your kindness is so much appreciated! Thank you!

The Members Of Mt. Olive Chinese Church have invited us all to a Chinese New Year celebration this afternoon, February 10^th, beginning with a 2:00pm worship service. This will be followed by a presentation and a buffet supper. All are cordially invited to attend!

Pre-Kindergarten And Kindergarten Round-Ups will be held this Monday, February 11, 2008 at St. John Lutheran School, 771 Margaret Street, St. Paul, MN 55106. Pre-Kindergarten Round-Up will be held at 6:30pm (children need to be 4 years old by September 1st) and Kindergarten Round-Up will be held at 7:00pm (children need to be 5 years old by September 1st.) If you have a child this age, please plan to come that evening (bring your child also) to see the room, make a fun art project, and enjoy a snack. If you know of someone who might be interested in sending their child(ren) to our school, please pass this information along. If this date is not convenient, please call the school office at 651.776.8861 to make other arrangements. St. John Lutheran School also has openings in grades 1-8.

Lenten Worship Services continue this Wednesday evening, beginning at 6:30pm. Pastor Meier will preach the sermon. “Crossroads: Traveling With Our Savior” is this year’s worship theme, and this Wednesday’s focus is “Crossroad 2 – From Bethany to Jerusalem”. Each Wednesday service will be preceded by a Lenten Supper. This Wednesday’s meal will be served by the Oak Limb. Serving time is 5:30pm. See you here!

Our Winter Congregational Assembly is scheduled for next Sunday morning at 10:30. All are welcome to attend!

In Concert in the SCLHS Chapel, hear the Nokomis Piano Quartet, next Sunday, February 17, at 3:00pm. The four members of the piano, violin, viola and cello quartet have extensive experience in instrumental music performance. They have performed at colleges, for various school groups, and regularly for local organizations. Tickets (adults - $8; students K-12 - $4) are available at the door or may be reserved by calling 651-455-1521, x392. (Proceeds of the concert donated to Lutheran Church in Central Africa Seminary.)

Kids C.A.R.E. Boxes: Last fall these boxes were handed out to collect money to benefit WELS Mission to the Children. This mission serves poor children in Mexico. Let's bring these boxes back for Lent. We will continue to collect these boxes the entire month of February. Additional boxes are also available in the back of church.

Back To The Future is the SCLHS Auction theme. March 8, 2008 is the date. Now is the time to put your creative ideas to work. Now is the time to drop off your donation at St. Croix Lutheran High School. Check on-line for a list of ideas, for items already donated and for information concerning the auction at www.sclhs.org. Call 651-455-1521 x106 if you would like to bring larger items to the loading dock. Thank you for your support!

This Week At Mt. Olive

Today: 8:45am Prayer Time in the Fireside Room

9:00am Family Worship Service

10:00am Refreshments and Social Time

10:30am Sunday School and Adult Education Hour

11:30am Altar Guild Meeting

2:00pm Chinese New Year Worship and Buffet

Monday: 6:30pm PreK and Kindergarten Round Ups at St. John Lutheran

7:00pm “Beautiful Feet” Bible Study

Tuesday: 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday: 5:30pm Lenten Supper (served by the Oak Limb)

6:30pm Lenten Worship Service

Thursday: 10:00am “Explorers of the Word” Bible Study

Next Sunday: 9:00am Family Worship Service with Holy Communion

10:30am Winter Congregational Assembly (No Adult Ed Hour)

7:00pm Coordinating Council Meets