WHAT'S H A PPE NIN G !
Weekly Events:
Mon. 6:00pm Gerry's Quilt Class, Criswell Hall
Tue. 9:00am Senior Exercise, Criswell Hall
Tue. 10:00am Sew ‘n Sews, McMillen Room
Tue. 11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall
Tue. 1:00pm Bible Study, Criswell Hall
Tue. 4:30pm Communications, Library
Tue. 5:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Hand Bell Room, #115
Tue. 7:30pm Friendly Neighborhood Big Band Rehearsal, Criswell Hall
Wed. 9:00am Church work morning
Wed. 10:00am Mary, Martha, Esther Circle McMillen Room
Wed. 10:00am Melfred Borzall Factory Tour
Wed. 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Thu. 9:00am Senior Exercise, Criswell Hall
Fri. 10:00am Knitting & Crocheting Parks & Recreation, Criswell Hall
Fri. 11:00am Nomination, Pastor’s Oice
Sat. 3:00pm Youth Group 3pm, Leader’s 4pm, Dinner 5:30pm
Sun. 8:30am Informal Worship Service with Praise Band
Sun. 10:30am Traditional Worship Service
Sun. 4:00pm Movie Night Song Song Blue, 4pm
Sun. Feb. 22 Free Movie Night, Song, Song Blue, 4pm
Upcoming Events:
Sat. Mar 07 Youth Group, 3pm leaders, 4pm youth, 5:30pm dinner
Sun. Mar 08 Pancake Breakfast, between services $10
Fri. Mar 13 Etto Pasta Factory Tour, leave church 9:45 for 11am tour, noon lunch
$40, includes $25 gift card to use lunch or pasta market
Sun. Mar 22 Friendly Neighborhood Big Band Concert, 3pm
Sat. Mar 28 Labyrinth Prayer and Refreshment, Lucy & Elwood’s home, leave
church 10:50, event 11am
Sat. Mar 28 Youth Group, 3pm leaders, 4pm youth, 5:30pm dinner
Sat. Apr 11 Red Wings Horse Sanctuary, leave church 9:30
Sun. May 03 Taco Bar, after 2nd service
Sat. Jun 06 Scott and Bob’s Garden Tour, leave church 9:45, Tour 10am
First United Methodist Church of Arroyo Grande
275 N. Halcyon Road,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-481-2692 fumcag@yahoo.com
WorshipWeekly.com
February 22, 2026 First Sunday Of Lent 10:30 am
PRELUDE “Sweet Hour Of Prayer” William B. Bradbury
INTROIT “Lord, I lift Your Name on High” TFWS #2088
CALL TO WORSHIP*
Today, we follow Jesus into a wilderness full of isolation, fatigue, hunger, thirst, and
temptation.
We follow, trusting in God’s mercy.
We witness Jesus resist the siren calls of sensationalism, notoriety, and misuse of power
for selfish gain.
We recognize God’s mercy at work in the face of temptation.
We notice the angels who tend Jesus, messengers of care in a harsh and lonely place.
We pay attention to God’s merciful presence that did not abandon Jesus and does not
abandon us now.
We come to the wilderness together, clinging to the truth that we are not alone—God is
with us.
We gather to worship God, whose unfailing mercy journeys with us into the
wildernesses of our lives. Thanks be to God! Amen.
OPENING HYMN* “ Seek Ye First” No. 405
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
Holy God, by the grace of Jesus Christ, you know the tests and trials we face.
Journey with us through this wilderness. Come to us with ministers of healing
and visit us with messengers of hope, so that we may return to you in faith,
believing the good news of the gospel; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
CHOIR ANTHEM “Oh, Mary Don't You Weep Don't You Mourn”
SCRIPTURE Matthew 4:1-11
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MOMENT Mary Whitson
We invite all children and youth to participate in this intergenerational time of learning about Jesus
O God, we thank you for blessing us with the gift of children.
May they learn the stories of Jesus. May we share their joy. Amen.
A TIME OF PRAYER
Call to Prayer “Holy Ground” TFWS #2272
Prayer/Lord's Prayer
Response “Holy Ground” TFWS #2272
SERMON The Beginning of The Lenten Journey
OFFERING
Call to Stewardship and Mission
Offertory “Resting In God’s Arms” Mark Hayes
Doxology/Prayer of Dedication*
CLOSING HYMN* “It Is Well With My Soul” No. 377
BENEDICTION*
May we go, now, in the comfort and blessing of God’s mercy, trusting that wherever
we go, God’s steadfast love surrounds us, sustains us, and supports us for the
journey ahead. Amen.
RESPONSE* “Lord, I lift Your Name on High” TFWS #2088
POSTLUDE “Yours Is The Kingdom” Cindy Berry
*Please stand as able
Assisting in today's service Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson,
Liturgist: Rose Ann Steiner Organ: Brad Bettencourt Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, ,
Sound Tech: Adrian Paredes, Video: Susan Throndson, Song Leader: Dave Anderson,
Choir Conductor: David Johns.
Matthew 4:1-11
Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After spending forty
days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. 3 Then the Devil came to him and said, “If
you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread.” 4 But Jesus answered, “The
scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God
speaks.’” 5 Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest
point of the Temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for the
scripture says, ‘God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their
hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’” 7 Jesus answered, “But the
scripture also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Then the Devil took Jesus
to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their
greatness. 9 “All this I will give you,” the Devil said, “if you kneel down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God
and serve only him!’” 11 Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.
Today’s Flowers In Memory Of
Judy Atwood
From Cristy Van Hook
HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by Staff Parish
March 22nd will be hosted by Trustees
ATTENDANCE
WEEK
8:30
10:30
IN-
PERSON
VIDEO
STEWARDSHIP
Jan 25
46
69
115
24
$3,894
Feb 01
45
67
112
28
$5,213
Feb 08
48
73
121
31
$,13,224
Feb 15
52
75
127
$7,001
Weekly Needed: $7,175
YTD Received: $230,350 YTD Needed $236,182
Our Fiscal Year runs July 1 to June 30