Lessons for March 5, 2006 – First Sunday in Lent The first lesson Genesis 9:8-17 Then God told Noah and his sons, 9"I am making a covenant with you and your descendants, 10and with the animals you brought with you—all these birds and livestock and wild animals. 11I solemnly promise never to send another flood to kill all living creatures and destroy the earth." 12And God said, "I am giving you a sign as evidence of my eternal covenant with you and all living creatures. 13I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth. 14When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds, 15and I will remember my covenant with you and with everything that lives. Never again will there be a flood that will destroy all life. 16When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth." 17Then God said to Noah, "Yes, this is the sign of my covenant with all the creatures of the earth." (NLT) Psalm 25:1-9 . L. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in you, my God! C. Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. L. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, C. but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. L. Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. C. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. L. All day long I put my hope in you. C. Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion, L. which you have shown from long ages past. C. Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, L. for you are merciful, O Lord. C. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. L. He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way. (NLT) The second lesson 1 Peter 3:18-22 Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. 22Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Mark 1:9-15 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 10And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven saying, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you."12Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness. 13He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. 14Later on, after John was arrested by Herod Antipas, Jesus went to Galilee to preach God's Good News. 15"At last the time has come!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!" (NLT)