Description
Luke 13:31-35
Living in this world is challenging. We all know it is not easy, and it is especially hard at certain times in our lives. We can easily get discouraged and want to give up during the race of life. Sometimes it is people who put up barriers in our way. The Bible is filled with stories and examples of people just like us who felt the same way. We see that strength, courage, faith, and hope came to those people from God – and they were able to keep on keeping on! Jesus had a mission to fulfill, and there were even some who tried hard to keep Jesus from staying on course. He knew that His mission was from God, the Father, and it would change the world forever. Nothing would get in His way of fulfilling the plan of salvation for humanity.
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
What Faith Can Do
Scott Davis & Scott Krippayne, ©2008 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Life Of Rhyme Music Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Pirk Music
Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)
Chase Jenkins, Dan Hamilton, Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Taylor Johnson, & Tedd Tjornhom, ©2007 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Meaux Hits (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Tedasia Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Say Say
Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, & Kristian Stanfill, ©2010 sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
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)
[Traditional Options]
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
BH 75 382; BH 91 416; CH 539; CHH 576; EH 691; ELW 759; HWC 410; HFG 84; HLC 366; HGP 192; HSP 8; LWB 479; LSB 702; LW 378; PH 383; RH 423; STTL 433; WC 552; UMH 452; WAR 419; WHM 433; WIS 54
I Trust, O Christ, In You Alone
LBW 395; LSB 972; LW 357
Fight the Good Fight
BH 75 394; EH 552,553; HFG 613; HLC 469; HSP 163; LBW 461; LSB 664; LW 299; PH 307
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor It is the season of Lent, the season of Springtime, a season of growth! We are here on the journey with Jesus – walking with Him through the experiences of life.
ALL As Jesus showed us, let us go forward with perseverance so that we too, can fulfill the mission before us and serve Christ by staying on course. We have confidence in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious God, we know that the journey is long and the cross is heavy. At times we want to give up. We find ourselves getting weary of the responsibilities and burdens in life, especially when we endure pain and discomfort. Our greatest source of comfort and peace comes from knowing that you walk with us, hold us, and carry us along the way. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” What beautiful words from the one Who took the treacherous path to the cross for us. Thank You, God, for loving us so much, You were willing to sacrifice your Son for us.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Loving God, we know that You always keep Your promises, one being Your promise to forgive. Even though we believe this truth, we still are reluctant to pour out our hearts to you and confess the wrongs we have committed in our lives. Today, we come before You in honesty to confess our sins to you.
ALL We have had hard hearts and stubborn attitudes rather than letting You rule our lives.
We have not displayed acts of mercy and love when called for.
We have bent the truth to serve our own purposes.
We have been slow to apologize and quick to condemn in some situations.
We have coveted things we do not need and been envious of what others have.
We have refrained from serving, yet demanded service from others.
We have followed the world instead of following Christ.
Forgive us, Lord, for these particular sins and for those we name before you now in silence:
(take a moment for self-examination)
Pastor It is with great confidence, relief, and joy that I can say, all our sins are forgiven! Praise God! Help us now to continue our Lenten journey and follow Jesus in all our thoughts, words, and deeds, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 26:8-15
The Lord sent Jeremiah to prophesy to the people to reform their ways and actions and obey God so he would relent and not bring disaster on them.
8 But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!” 12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. 15 Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”
