Sunday February 22, 2026 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — At Calvary — D.B. Tower; arr. Jeffery A. Hall
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

Silent Meditation                                                                                                         
“God never tires of forgiving; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”    Pope Francis

Call to Worship                                                                                          
The steadfast love of God surrounds us always — even in the wilderness!
       Thanks be to God! Let us be glad and worship!                                                        
       Praise and Adoration

*Hymn #439 — O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer — STUTTGART  
(*Please stand, if you are able)

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, you know all about our troubles. Your Son was tested in the wilderness, tempted by the powers and principalities of the age. We confess how easily and often we give in to them.  Yet, you continue to forgive us, reminding us there is nothing we can do to lose your love.  Holy God, turn us from evil, that we may return to you and the path to which you have called us.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Amen.

Silent Prayers of Confession and Petition

Kyrie Eleison #575 — Lord, Have Mercy upon Us — KYRIE ELEISON (Pardini)

Assurance of Pardon

*Welcome                            

Announcements

Fellowship of Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Anthem — The Last Supper — Allen Pote
arr. Martha Lynn Thompson           

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — Matthew 4: 1-11 — page 785 of the pew Bible

Sermon — “There’s a Test in Your Future” — Dr. Zieman

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith — from A Brief Statement of Faith (1991)
In life and death we belong to God.  Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.  In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus! With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Sanctus (#569) — Holy, Holy, Holy  — SANCTUS (Oliver)

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling — arr. Janet Linker & Jane McFadden      

*Doxology (#608) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — PRAISE GOD (Hopson)

*Prayer of Dedication        
Take these, our gifts, as we offer them today, O God. Use them for your glory and kingdom’s expansion. May these gifts go toward freeing the captives, feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, and healing the world. As Christ’s body, use us too, in service to repairing the breached, broken places in our community. Amen.

*Hymn #816 — If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee — WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude — Amazing Grace — David Cherwien