3.6.22 National Cathedral Sunday Online Worship

so now [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] so [Music] so [Music] half [Music] way [Music] i am [Music] me and make me [Music] i [Music] and still [Music] oh [Music] hey [Music] the away [Music] oh my god [Music] filled with [Music] shall see [Music] that christ i [Music] is [Music] it's living [Music] christ only in all ways that's who's living in me [Music] so [Music] what are my steps in your work dear lord lead me guide me every day send your anointing father i pray order my [Music] teach me your will while you're working help me be still because satan is busy but god is so real so order my steps in your word please order my steps in your words [Music] you [Music] right [Music] let the words of my mouth be acceptable in thy sight [Music] in your words [Music] good morning everyone my name is randy hollerath i am the dean of washington national cathedral and on behalf of all of us who serve here welcome we're so glad that you are with us this first sunday in lent and to all of you who are watching at home and around the country god bless you i hope you are safe and sound and well now i know we have a bunch of groups with us today who have all decided to visit the same time which is fantastic so i'm going to see if i can get this correct so bear with me so i know we have the scottsdale arizona preparatory academy where are you raise your hands out there welcome right down front and then the providence school from santa barbara california where's the providence school welcome right across glad you all are here and then our friends from dallas baptist university are back with us where are you all sitting oh really in front and then last but not least the timberlake united methodist confirmation class from lynchburg virginia where are you all welcome back there on the back thank you for being with us please know that this cathedral is a house of prayer for all people and you are always welcome here and i hope you will come back and see us soon and know that you are part of our cathedral family this cathedral is your cathedral so thank you for being with us on this first sunday in lent the service begins a little differently than it normally does as we move into these 40 days of reflection and self-denial and preparing ourselves for the resurrection for holy week and for easter we begin the lenten journey on this sunday if you're with us for ash wednesday i'm so glad but i hope that you will do something every day to remember these 40 days of lent the 40 days our lord spent in the wilderness because i do really believe the more faithful we are about walking intentionally through the days of lent the more powerful and important the events of holy week and easter can be for all of us so we will begin slightly differently today but it is a glorious liturgy and we're so glad that you are here with us now as always i invite you to take a deep breath with me let it out slowly to be present in the moment the past is gone the future has not yet taken place be here with god invite the holy spirit and let us worship together thank you ah [Music] [Music] [Music] so [Music] so [Music] [Music] [Music] so [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] so blessed be the god of our salvation who bears our burdens and dear people of god the first christians observed with great devotion the days of our lord's passion and resurrection and it became the custom of the church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting this season of lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for holy baptism it was also a time when those who because of notorious sin had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness and restored to the fellowship of the church thereby the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the gospel of our savior and of the need which all christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith i invite you therefore in the name of the church to the observance of a holy lent by self-examination and repentance by prayer fasting and self-denial and by reading and meditating on god's holy word and to make a right beginning of repentance and as a mark of our mortal nature let us now kneel before the lord our maker and redeemer most holy and merciful father we confess to you and to one another and to the holy communion of saints in heaven and on earth that we have sinned by our own fault in thought by what we have done and my what we have left on we have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength we have not loved our neighbors us ourselves we have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven we confess to you [Music] have mercy on us [Music] we have been deaf to your call to serve as christ served us we have not been true to the mind of christ we have grieved your holy spirit we confer [Music] all of our past unfaithfulness the pride hypocrisy and impatience of our lives we confess to you [Music] our self-indulgent appetites and ways and our exploitation of other people we confess [Music] to our anger at on our own frustration and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves [Music] our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts and our dishonesty in daily life and work we confess to you [Music] our negligence in prayer and worship [Music] and our failure to commend the faith that is in us we confess to yourselves accept our repentance lord for the wrongs we have done [Music] for our blindness to human need and suffering and our indifference to injustice and cruelty have mercy on us except our repentance oh lord for all false judgments for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us have a mercy on us for a waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come after us have mercy on us [Music] restore us good lord and let your anger depart from us [Music] by the cross and passion of your son our lord [Music] is [Music] is [Music] almighty god the father of our lord jesus christ who desires not the death of sinners but rather that they may turn from their wickedness and live has given power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to his people being penitent the absolution and remission of their sins he pardons and absolves all those who truly repent and with sincere hearts believe in his holy gospel therefore we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his holy spirit that those things may please him which we do on this day and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy through jesus christ our lord amen the lord be with you and also with you please stand let us pray almighty god whose blessed son was led by the spirit to be tempted by satan come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations and as you know the weaknesses of each of us let each one find you mighty to save through jesus christ your son our lord who lives and reigns with you and the holy spirit one god now and forever amen a reading from the book of deuteronomy when you have come into the land that the lord your god is giving you as an inheritance to possess and you possess it and settle in it you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground which you harvest from the land that the lord your god is giving you and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the lord your god will choose as a dwelling for his name you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him today i declare to the lord your god that i have come into the land that the lord sought our ancestors to give us the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the lord your god you shall make this response before the lord your god a wandering armenian was my ancestor he went down into egypt and lived there as an alien few in number and there he became a great nation mighty and populous when the egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us by imposing hard labor on us we cried to the lord the god of our ancestors the lord heard our voice and saw our affliction our toil and our oppression the lord brought us out of egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm with a with tearing the terrifying display of power and with great signs and wonders and he brought us into this place and gave us this land a land flowing with milk and honey so now i bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you o lord have given me you shall set it down before the lord your god and bow down before the lord your god then you together with the levites and the aliens who reside among you shall celebrate with all the bounty that the lord your god has given to you and to your house the word of the lord thanks be to god [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] r [Music] r [Music] [Music] unto you [Music] foreign [Music] r is [Music] you shall try [Music] because he is [Music] is [Music] [Music] is [Music] [Music] a reading from the letter of saint paul to the romans the word is near you on your lips and in your heart that is the word of faith that we proclaim because if you confess with your lips that jesus is lord and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead you will be saved for one believes with the heart and so is justified and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved the scripture says no one who believes in him will be put to shame for there is no distinction between jew and greek the same lord is lord of all and is generous to all who call on him for everyone who calls on the name of the lord shall be saved the word of the lord r [Music] so [Music] is [Music] is oh [Music] b is tiempo after his baptism jesus full of the holy spirit returned from the jordan and was led by the spirit into the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by the devil he ate nothing at all during those days and when they were over he was famished the devil said to him if you are the son of god command this stone to become a loaf of bread jesus answered him it is written one does not live by bread alone then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world and the devil said to him to you i will give their glory and all this authority for it has been given over to me and i give it to anyone i please if you then will worship me it will all be yours jesus answered him it is written worship the lord your god and serve only him then the devil took him to jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple saying to him if you are the son of god throw yourself down from here for it is written he will command his angels concerning you to protect you and on their hands they will bear you up so that you will not dash your foot against a stone jesus answered him it is said do not put the lord your god to the test when the devil had finished every test he departed from him until an opportune time the gospel of the lord [Music] [Music] in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit amen please be seated for years i have kept a journal or series of journals i think i started my first one when i was 9 or 10 years old and i've just kept them going one drawer in my desk is filled with this variety of different volumes representing the various times in my life the earliest ones as i look back on them are written in my childish yet honest cursive that they don't even teach anymore the most recent incarnation of my journal is a word file on my computer which i print out from time to time now these journals are not diaries in the sense they don't necessarily record daily events rather they were written for no other purpose than to give me a place where i could feel safe to vent heart and soul they are in truth conversations with myself and ultimately prayers to god it has been said that with age comes wisdom well i don't necessarily think so i don't think that simply living through the passage of time makes you wise any more than waiting in the waves at the beach makes you a fish no much depends on what you do with that living how you process it how you assimilate life's experiences wisdom comes not just from living through the events of our lives but living into them our experiences need to be more than just pieces of our history their lessons need to become part of ourselves to this end my journals have given me the greatest of gifts as records of my struggles my highs my lows my doubts they provide me a wonderful platform from which to learn the lessons of my life now my point in sharing all of this today is that the lesson that echoes over and over again page after page the wisdom that makes itself evident every time i look at one of my journals every time i reflect back is the truth that through it all god has always been with me i may not have known it at the time most of the time i didn't know it i may have felt quite alone and abandoned the hard times were indeed very hard but nevertheless in retrospect with the clarity of different distance i can look back and read those pages and see that god's grace was unfolding all around me whether i was 27 and living through my father's illness and death or 32 and struggling with my own debilitating illness or basking in the wonder of my love for melissa when we were newlyweds whenever i look back whenever i read those pages from long ago i see god everywhere in our gospel for today jesus goes off into the desert to get some things straight with himself he goes off for 40 days to discover what it means to be the beloved son of god in the wilderness he wrestles with evil he wrestles with the worst parts of human nature he wrestles with temptations that could possibly destroy him in his ministry during those 40 days jesus proves who he is he faces three temptations and he conquers each of them [Music] however he is not alone in the desert luke says that it is the holy spirit that takes him by the hand and leads him there literally god pulls him into the wilderness and at the end of those 40 days and 40 nights jesus is well prepared to begin his ministry for many of us the past 720 days of pandemic have been one long journey in the desert one long time in the wilderness our lives were turned upside down we spent long months separated from those we love our jobs dramatically changed we or we lost them all together we weathered tense and dangerous political turmoil and witnessed a national uprising against the ongoing reality of racism in our nation not to mention that over those 720 days more than 930 thousand americans died because of covet 19. many of them died without the comfort of family gathered around them and many of them never received the funerals or the memorial services that they deserved now the desert continues for millions as war breaks out in europe and the people of ukraine face terrible suffering and injustice because of one ego maniacal madman being in the wilderness is not something we relish being alone struggling hurting being in a time of crisis being in doubt about life or how we are to live it all of these wilderness experiences are not something we go looking for we would much prefer to live between the glory of the mountaintop experience and the easy living of the fertile valley yet even without a pandemic or a war all of us have times when life drives us far from a place of contentment and leads us into a strange and harsh land scripture is full of stories of god's faithful people leaving places of comfort and struggling in the wilderness it's interesting to note that the desert or the wilderness is mentioned more than 350 times in the bible the desert as a state of being is a recurring theme throughout jewish scripture in each of these stories the struggle is real and the desert is difficult and frightening but in every case as the faithful struggle in the wilderness they not only learn much about themselves but they always find that god is with them in that process moses ventured out into the wilderness after killing an egyptian and he discovered god and his calling when he encountered a burning bush jacob while trying to flee from his brother esau wrestled with an angel of god in the desert and discovered his identity his new name israel elijah the great prophet literally ran from god who demanded too much of him to hide in the desert only to have god find him and comfort him in the still small voice of silence the lesson in these stories the lesson in our gospel for today and the lesson i have learned from my meager journals is that whether we know it or not god's grace unfolds in every part and in every moment of our lives we see it when we read about moses and jacob and elijah we see it when we read the story of jesus temptation as we did this morning i see it when i look back at all the great joys and all the horrible struggles of my life i know some of you out there this morning are struggling right at this moment you lug around large amounts of stress and worry perhaps you're grieving and in pain you carry burdens that you think are too heavy to bear you sometimes wonder how life got this way how life ended up so differently from what you had planned i know you are in the desert and wherever you look the landscape seems barren and the way difficult i won't insult you with any platitudes about how it's all going to be okay because for many of you i know there are no quick or easy answers to the desert that has you trapped at the moment all i can tell you is that you are not alone god is with you and god's grace surrounds you if you look back on your life the way i look back in my journals you will see god's grace in your past therefore you can count on it for your future look for that grace and just keep moving ahead one step at a time hold tight to your face keep reaching out to god in prayer and know that there is always grace some things in life just can't be avoided sometimes we can't go around the desert we can't avoid the wilderness we just have to grit our teeth and go through it but i know that god will bless you on your journey and walk with you every step of your way just remember all deserts have borders all deserts have beginnings and endings and on the other side of that border there lies a much more green and pleasant land in closing many years ago henry francis light penned some of the most beautiful words of hymnady abide with me fast falls the even tide the darkness deepens lord with me abide when other helpers fail and comforts flee [Music] help of the helpless o abide with me always remember that we are never really alone even during the loneliest of moments even when we feel trapped by that wilderness our lord is ever there watching and waiting and working to redeem that which we think is irredeemable god's presence may only be detected in hindsight but god is there nonetheless during this season of lent when we are asked to reflect on the state of our souls may we all be given the grace to see god at work in our lives bringing about in us that which is well and pleasing in god's sight but more importantly may god always give us the grace to survive the wilderness and the insight to see its blessings amen let us affirm our faith in the words of the nicene creed we believe in one god the father the almighty maker of heaven and earth of all that is seen and unseen we believe in one lord jesus christ the only son of god eternally begotten of the father god from god light from light true god from true god begotten not made of one being with the father through him all things were made for us and for our salvation he came down from heaven by the power of the holy spirit he became incarnate from the virgin mary and was made men for our sake he was crucified under pontius pilate he suffered death and was buried on the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the father he will come again to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end we believe in the holy spirit the lord the giver of life who proceeds from the father and the son with the father and the son he is worshiped and glorified he has spoken through the prophets we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come amen amen the peace of the lord be always with you and also with you please be seated once again welcome it's a joy to have all of you here today at washington national cathedral and as we move now into the lord's supper holy communion the eucharist it goes by many names please know that everyone is welcome to receive communion today regardless of your church affiliation or lack thereof it makes no difference if you desire to know christ then i hope you will come forward to be fed the ushers will show you where to go at the appropriate time as you approach the member of the clergy you put one hand on top of the other they will put a piece of bread in your hand which you may then consume we are not using the chalice today because of covid but we do have gluten-free bread for those who need it so please don't hesitate to ask if you'd rather not receive communion you are welcome to stay in your seat or i hope you will come forward when everyone else comes forward and just cross your arms over your chest like this that way we know you'd rather not receive communion but we'll just offer you a prayer and a blessing finally if you were able to support the cathedral in our work and in our ministry we would be so very grateful so many people think we're funded by the federal government or by the national church but we are not and all the money that we raise for the mission and the ministry the worship the programming everything here at the cathedral comes from good people like you all private donation so there are two boxes in the back of the cathedral where you can leave a gift if you'd like to or information on your screen about texting a gift or an email address as well my thanks to all of you who have been supporting us through all these 720 days and i'm so very grateful for your generosity walk in love as christ loved us and gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to god uh [Music] so [Music] glorious [Music] my protection [Music] god [Music] my [Music] my light in darkness [Music] god god is [Music] he's my all and on [Music] god [Applause] [Music] my [Music] [Music] my today and my tomorrow [Music] god [Music] god is the joy and the strength of my life he moves on pain misery and strife he promised to keep me never to leave never fall short of his word i've gone too fast and pray stay on that narrow way i'll keep my life clean every day i wanna go with him when he comes back again i've come too far and i'll never turn back is [Music] [Music] one [Music] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] my [Music] [Applause] we offer this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the glory of god with special intention for the people and nation of ukraine and for peace in their land the lord be with you and also with you lift up your hearts let us give thanks to the lord our god give god thanks and praise god it is right in a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you father almighty creator of heaven and earth through jesus christ our lord who was tempted in every way as we are yet did not sin by his grace we are able to triumph over every evil and to live no longer for ourselves alone but for him who died for us and rose again therefore we praise you joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven who forever seeing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name [Music] foreign [Music] i and gracious father in your infinite love you made us for yourself and when we'd fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death you and your mercy sent jesus christ your only and eternal son to share our human nature to live and die as one of us to reconcile us to you the god and father of all he stretched out his arms upon the cross and offered himself an obedience to your will a perfect sacrifice for the whole world on the night he was handed over to suffering and death our lord jesus christ took bread and when he'd given thanks to you he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said take eat this is my body which is given for you do this for the remembrance of me after supper he took the cup of wine and when he'd given thanks he gave it to them and said drink this all of you this is my blood if the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins whenever you drink it do this for the remembrance of me therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith christ has died christ is risen christ will come again we celebrate the memorial of our redemption oh father in the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving recalling his death resurrection and ascension we offer you these gifts sanctify them by your holy spirit to be for your people the body and blood of your son the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy sacrament and serve you in unity constancy and peace and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom all this we ask for your son jesus christ by him and with him in the unity of the holy spirit all honor and glory is yours almighty father now and forever amen and now as our savior christ has taught us we are bold to say our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name my 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 in temptation but deliver us from evil for this amen [Music] foreign [Music] oh [Music] the gifts of god for the people of god take them in remembrance that christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving amen shall the body of christ there's jesus jesus christ mr jesus christ jesus is [Music] jesus christ [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] so [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] i foreign foreign [Music] [Music] so oh [Music] my gosh [Music] [Music] so [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] cheers so praying together god of our pilgrimage you have fed us with the bread of heaven refresh and sustain us as we go forward on our journey in the name of jesus christ our lord amen let us bow before the lord grant almighty god that your people may recognize their weakness and put their whole trust in your strength so that they may rejoice forever in the protection of your loving providence through christ our lord amen [Music] 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Channel: Washington National Cathedral

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Length: 101min 0sec (6060 seconds)

Published: Sun Mar 06 2022