Description
John 6:35-51
The most recited verse in all of scripture is what Martin Luther called, the “miniature Gospel,” John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life.” Whoever believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior will be given eternal life. In the passage before us, belief is linked to bread and Jesus is the bread of life. If you come to Jesus, the bread of life, you are going to the key and essence of eternal life. The text also evokes the Eucharistic action of coming to the table to partake of the elements, the body (bread) and blood (wine) of our Lord Jesus Christ. This bread is eternal life bread which lasts forever.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin, John Newton, & Louie Giglio, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
Chris Tomlin | Fanny Jane Crosby | Matt Redman | Robert S. Lowry, © 2008 Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
What a Beautiful Name
Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood, © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Just As I Am
BH 75 186,187; BH 91 303,307; CH 488; CHH 339; EH 693; ELW 592; HWC 342; HPW 40; HFG 417; HLC 260; HGP 221; HSP 300; LBW 296; LSB 570; LW 359; NCH 207; PH 370; RH 275; STTL 343; WC 445; UMH 357; WAR 354; WHM 497; WIS 232
Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens
LSB 589; LW 339
Come Unto Me Ye Weary
LSB 684; LW 345
Invocation
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor God has given us a life filled with promises for the future so that we can live an abundant life on earth and live with Him for eternity.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Almighty God, in Jesus we have been given the way to eternal life. There is nothing in this world that can satisfy us like Jesus, the bread of life. Help us to evaluate our lives often to see if we are constantly pursuing things which have no eternal value. Give us wisdom and discernment so that we devote our time and energy to areas of life that are pleasing to you and have eternal significance. You loved us so much that you sacrificed your very Son to give us life forever. There is no greater hope in this world than knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior and the promises for our future. Thank you Lord.
ALL In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
All God of love and forgiveness, we worship you and give thanks for all that you have done for us. We confess that we seek out those things which are temporal and will never bring us fulfilling satisfaction. We confess that many times we put our worldly priorities over yours and neglect that which has eternal value. Our greatest source of satisfaction is found in Jesus, the living bread which has come down from heaven. We find ourselves surrounded by distractions and temptations on a daily basis and we give in and commit sins for which we need forgiveness. It is apparent because we have not made you the Lord of our lives. Please forgive us for allowing our old self and worldly desires to get in the way.
(silence for personal reflection and confession)
Pastor What a comfort and relief it is to know that our sins are forgiven, and we are made clean and renewed. In this time of confession, we are able to repair the broken relationship that is caused by sin. It brings us joy to know that we are restored.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading I Kings 19:1-8
Elijah experienced serious fatigue and discouragement following his two great spiritual victories and God allowed him to rest and eat before going back to his mission.
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them. 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
