The First Sunday in Lent — Holy Eucharist (Said in the Muriel Moore Chapel)
We will gather for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 9 am in the Muriel Moore chapel on Sunday. In recognition that we are a community that cares for one another and in order to help protect those among us with health concerns, we encourage mask wearing during worship. And, if you are not feeling well we ask that you join the service via livestream at 11 am.
All are welcome as we gather together at 9:00 am in our beloved church.
Holy Eucharist (Said in the Muriel Moore Chapel)
Lesson: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm: 32
Epistle: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
Title: Jesus is tempted; Date: 1973; Artist: JESUS MAFA; Country: Cameroon; Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13.
Notes: JESUS MAFA is a response to the New Testament readings from the Lectionary by a Christian community in Cameroon, Africa. Each of the readings was selected and adapted to dramatic interpretation by the community members. Photographs of their interpretations were made, and these were then transcribed to paintings. In this painting, Jesus has been taken to the top of a mountain in the final temptation described in Matthew 4:1-11 where the devil whispers in his ear the promise of all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus is confronted with the temptation to seize power—to live by the rule(s) of the world. We know from this one gospel story that he refuses every temptation, but we know from the remaining narrative that the temptation to be the messiah people expected must have haunted him to his death on the cross. Jesus instead is a new kind of messiah, one who exemplifies non-violent resistance, trusting in the love he embodies.