Worship Service – March 9, 2025 “Wrestling with Temptation”

First Sunday in Lent – Worship Service – March 9, 2025

United Church of Christ Worship Service

Bulletin 03 09 2025

Gospel Lesson: Luke 4:1 – 13

Pastor Chris delivered a thought-provoking and progressive sermon on Luke 4:1-13, exploring Jesus’ time in the wilderness through a modern, relatable lens. He emphasized how the temptations Jesus faced—hunger, power, and testing God—mirror the struggles of everyday life, urging the congregation to resist societal pressures that prioritize greed and domination over compassion and justice. In a particularly engaging moment, Pastor Chris reminisced about watching professional wrestling as a child, drawing a parallel between the staged battles in the ring and the spiritual battles we face. Just as wrestlers put on a show of strength and resilience, he encouraged believers to recognize the performance of power in the world and instead embrace the true strength found in humility, faith, and love.