Description
John 10:22-30
God knows each of us and says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” God knows each of us by name and knows the number of hairs on our head. God knows us inside and out. Jesus uses the image of the sheep to communicate the reality of knowing his own and they know his voice as the Good Shepherd. This image gives us a picture of God, our Creator, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who knows us and cares about each of us. God searches out His children that each may be found and thereby follow Him.
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
Great Are You Lord
David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Open Hands Music Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes
(Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Open Up the Heavens
Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, & Stuart Garrard, ©2012 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Because He Lives (Amen)
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, & William J. Gaither, © 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Now All The Vault of Heaven Resounds
ELW 367; LBW 143; LSB 465; LW 131
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
BH 91 456; CH 684; CHH 628; ELW 773; HWC 463; HFG 611; LSB 739; NCH 472; PH 404; RH 562; STTL 102; WC 638; UMH 474; WOV 731; WAR 500; WHM 425
Oh, That I Had A Thousand Voices
ELW 833; LBW 560; LSB 811; LW 448; PH 475
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We are here to worship as we listen to the Word of God and praise his Holy name! May God’s mighty wisdom enter our minds and touch our hearts as we show our gratitude to God for all that He has done in our lives.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and Merciful God, we are so thankful that you revealed yourself to the apostles so that they could record accounts we have in your Word. We not only have your Word to read and study, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to counsel us and give us wisdom. As we engage in worship today through prayer, song, and the Word, help us to be attentive to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Instill in us the love of Christ that we may love one another as he has commanded us. Focus our minds and hearts, so that we will listen to the voice of God who knows each of us so well.
ALL In Jesus Name, we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Gracious God, at this moment, we lay before you our brokenness and sins in our lives. Help us is this time of reflection to acknowledge our condition and bring our sinfulness before you in silence. (Silence)
People We make confession in these areas:
Our reluctance to listen to your voice and wisdom instead of the voices of the world.
Our lack of initiative in asking for help from others, but mostly our unwillingness to ask for your help as our Shepherd to direct our paths.
Our lack of love for one another, knowing you commanded us to abide in you and reach out in love to all people.
Our tendency to rationalize our decisions and behavior, yet when we grasp what you have commanded and see the example of Jesus, we are convicted.
Our focus on the things of the world rather than putting our focus on you – the one, true God and Father of us all.
Forgive us Lord for our disobedience which cannot be hidden from you for you know each of us inside out.
Pastor The voice of God has such power and continues to speak loud and clear today. God sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead, so that all our sins are forgiven and we have life forever in heaven. Praise be to God!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 20:17-35
Paul speaks to the Ephesians Elders reminding them that he preached God’s truths without hesitations, letting them know he was leaving and they will not see him again, Paul Warns them to be on their guard again those,(even from their own people) who will try to distort the truth of God.
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
