Description

Mark 1:21-28

As Jesus taught in the synagogue, the people were amazed by His authority.  Even a demon possessed man recognized the Holy One of God.  As Jesus commanded the impure spirit to leave the man’s body, the people watching were amazed and spread the news of Jesus’s authority all over Galilee.  As we celebrate this season of Epiphany as Christ becomes known to the world, let’s also recognize and reflect on where Christ’s authority is manifested in our own lives.  May Jesus never cease to amaze us!

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

Time of Praise and Worship

Build Your Kingdom Here

Rend Collective Experiment, ©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing 

How Great Is Our God

Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, & Jesse Reeves ©2004 worshiiptogether.com songs/Sixsteps Music/ASCAP

Rescuer

Benjamin Hastings, Bryan Fowler & Rend Collective, Capitol CMG Amplifier, Musical Moodswing, Rend Family Publishing, SHOUT! Music Publishing

[Traditional Options]

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

CHH 140; EH 616; ELW 311; LBW 87; LSB 398; LW 82; NCH 104; UMH 203

Sing Praise To God, the Highest Good

ELW 871; LBW 542; LSB 819; LW 452

Away From Us the Demon Cried

LSB 541

I Sing The Almighty Power of God

BH 75 154; BH 91 42; EH 398; HLC 57; UMH 152

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor              Praise the Lord!

ALL                  Praise the Lord!

Pastor             Great are His works.

ALL                  He has shown us His powerful works and awesome miracles.  They are just and

                          faithful, established forever and ever.

Pastor             He is amazing God!

ALL                 To Him alone belongs all praise!

  

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              Powerful God, you provide for our every need.  You even provided redemption through your Son, Jesus Christ, and                                           established a covenant with us.  Holy and awesome is your name.  We praise you.

ALL                  We praise you, Amen. 

  

Time of Greeting 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor          It’s easy to be a mediocre, lukewarm Christian who lives only to please oneself.  But God

calls us to live lives that serve and honor Him.  Yes, God is loving and forgiving.  While

it is necessary to understand His gracious nature, we must also remember that He is just,

sovereign, and mighty.  He holds all authority and power and reigns as King over

everything.  Take a moment and dig deep into your heart.  What areas in your heart are

lukewarm?  Where do you lack excitement for or fear of the Lord?  Confess those areas

to the Lord and allow His goodness, authority, and redemptive power heal your heart and

beckon you to His path of righteousness.

(Allow time for confession and prayer)

Pastor          Father, we confess your authority and power in every dark place of evil in our lives.

Penetrate our hearts.  Pierce the darkness.  Shed your light and healing grace and move

us from a place of complacency to one of urgency to do Your will.

ALL                  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture] 

First Reading                                  Deuteronomy 18:15-20

 God promised to raise up a prophet amongst the Israelites who would speak God’s words.  God also warned prophets who spoke words that weren’t from God or spoke in the names of other gods.  He said these prophets would be put to death.   

15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” 17 The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”