Description
Series Theme “Genuine Christianity”
“Organic” is a big buzzword these days. It seems everyone is talking about food with no artificial additives or fillers. More and more labels are claiming their product as 100% pure and organic. Could Christianity make the same claim? This 5-week series looks at some basic elements of our faith as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. See for yourself if Christianity’s message has changed, or if we’re still proclaiming the genuine message of Christ.
This Week’s Theme: “Genuine Miracles” Mark 6:30-44
It has been said that “God moves in mysterious ways”. Miracles were a large part of Jesus’ ministry, but are miracles still happening today? People of faith know that some things are just beyond earthly explanation.
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
God Of Wonders
Marc Byrd & Steve Hindalong, ©2000 New Spring Publishing, Inc
The Stand
Joel Houston, ©2005 Hillsong Publishing (Admin.by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Better Is One Day
Matt Redman, ©1995 Thankyou Music
[Traditional Options]
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
BH 75 215; CH 683; EH 645/646; ELW 502; HWC 468; HLC 46; LBW 456; LSB 709; LW 412; NCH 248; PH 171/174; UMH 138; WIS 425
Alleluia! Jesus is Risen
ELW 377; LSB 474; WOV 674; WAR 306
When In Our Music God Is Glorified
BH 91 435; CHH 7; EH 420; ELW 850/851; LBW 555; LSB 796; LW 449; NCH 561; PH 264; RS 665; STTL 29; WC 402/403; UMH 68; WOV 802; WAR 7
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor As Jesus and His disciples handled the crowd with fish and bread, we will see today how we, too, are called upon to be Jesus hands and feet to those aronear and far. It is exciting to enter into worship with you this morning, anticipating what is to come. And we say,
ALL Come, Lord Jesus. Come. Amen!
Prayer Opening
Pastor Oh Lord God, We gather here today, ready to lay down our schedules, agendas and plans, and to just spend time basking at the footstool of Your throne. Meet us here….greet us here…we long to see Jesus lifted high and exalted in our midst.
ALL Expecting Your presence, Your miracles and Your Holy Spirit in this place – meet us now, Lord Jesus. Meet us now.
Time of Greeting
Pastor This morning instead of greetings people far from you, hug those who are either in your family, or next to you. Tell them that they are to expect miracles from God in and through their lives.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor We really do not expect to see miracles today, Lord Jesus. And when You do work – we are sometimes quick to explain it away with earthly logic. Please forgive us for being people of little anticipation. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Let us then show our love for Him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.
All Thank you for hearing the cries of our hearts and knowing that, with sincere and repentant voices, we truly do want to live our lives for You and believe You for more than what our limited minds conceive. Help Thou our unbelief.
Pastor As we confess with our lips, and believe in our hearts, the Lord will be merciful and grace-filled in His forgiveness of all your sins. Let us plan on being alert and watchful for His hand in our lives.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture
First Reading Jeremiah 23:1-6
Jeremiah was called on to deliver some harsh messages to Judah, who had once been one nation with Israel, but were now separated and without sovereignty. In this case,
God is using Jeremiah to address the leaders of Judah, who had not protected and nurtured God’s beloved people, but allowed them to drift away.
God’s desired that they be reunited.
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. 5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
