Sunday 22 February 2026
- General:
- Lectionary
1st Sunday in Lent
Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading
Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7
All hail the power of Jesu's name! (StF 342)
God in his love for us lent us this planet (StF 727)
God, whose farm is all creation (StF 122)
Lord of the boundless curves of space (StF 111)
*Praise to the Holiest in the height (StF 334)
Touch the earth lightly, use the earth gently (StF 729)
Psalm 32
Hymns that echo the psalmist’s theme
Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546)
Happy are they who find the grace (StF 500)
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (StF 322)
I sing the almighty power of God (StF 107)
My lips shall praise you, my great Redeemer (StF 430)
Out of the depths I cry to thee (StF 433)
Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee (StF 434)
You give rest to the weary (StF 657)
You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488)
Your ceaseless, unexhausted love (StF 438)
Romans 5: 12-19
Amazing Grace (StF 440)
And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour's blood? (StF 345)
Christ, our King before creation (StF 318)
Father, whose everlasting love (StF 320)
Jesus, lover of my soul (StF 355)
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (StF 328)
Lord, I lift your name on high (StF 332)
*Praise to the Holiest in the height (StF 334)
What shall I do my God to love, my Saviour (StF 516)
Matthew 4: 1-11
All hail the power of Jesu’s name! (StF 342)
At the name of Jesus (StF 317)
Christ our Redeemer knew temptation’s hour (StF 235)
Forty days and forty nights (StF 236)
Jesus, tempted in the desert (StF 237)
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us (StF 238)
Lord, save us from the desert (website only)
Seek ye first the kingdom of God (StF 254)
What a friend we have in Jesus (StF 531)
When we are tested and wrestle alone (StF 240)
You call us to the wilderness (website only)
A prayer that we might reflect God's love
All loving and all-embracing God, our hearts overflow with gratitude when we think and feel your love, manifested in Jesus Christ and poured into our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Let our response be spontaneous praise, praying fervently, reading your words passionately and welcoming the strangers genuinely. Give us charismatic smiles, courteous words and sacrificial hearts when we approach others with your love. Help us to overcome the temptation of being engaged in pious acts to win your favour and instead teach us to live in solidarity with you and with the needy and suffering. Let us and our churches reflect your love in a love-hungry world, now and always. Amen.
Israel Selvanayagam, supernumerary presbyter, Birmingham
A prayer that we be open to God - Alternative Prayer
Plunged in the ocean of your love, O God, and walking by faith, let us rest in your promises and receive your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Phoebe Palmer, American Methodist Evangelist (1807-1874)