Description
John 9:1-9
The term, “wellness,” is most notably associated with overall health including the balance of mind, body and spirit. Through the years, there has been a shift away from defining wellness in medical or illness terms toward a more holistic understanding. Health and wellness involves many aspects of our lives. We can see that in recent years, wellness programs have cropped up all around us. The man in our gospel account had been ill for 38 years. That is a long time. It looked hopeless. Jesus asked the question, “Do you want to be made well?” Implied here is the importance of desire on our part. If we desire to be well, the power is available to us. The power can heal us in areas of our lives we never dreamed could be healed.
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
All Because of Jesus
Steve Fee, ©2007 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Six Steps BMI Designee (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Come To The Cross
Leeland Mooring | Matt Bronleewe | Michael W. Smith, © 2006 Word Music, LLC | Smittyfly Music | Meaux Mercy | Woodland Creatures Need Music Too | Windswept Music (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | |
The Happy Song
Martin Smith, ©1994 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by EMI Christmas Music Publishing
[Traditional Options]
O Chrsit, Our Hope
BH 91 414; ELW 604; LBW 300; LSB 553; LW 151
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul
BH 75 172; BH 91 180; CH 710; CHH 542; EH 699; HWC 466; HFG 222; HSP 51; HLC 246; LW 508; NCH 548; PH 303; RH 91; STTL 636; WC 461; UMC 479; WAR 439; WHM 206; WIS 37
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Here we are to give honor, praise, and glory to God! This is our time to worship the One who made this new day and the One who gave us these moments together. We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and Merciful God, we are so thankful that you revealed your glory and power to men and women of the past, and that we have these beautiful accounts in your Word that give us hope for our lives today. As we engage in worship today through prayer, song, and the Word, help us to be attentive to the healing power of Jesus, the Great Physician. We come today with areas of our lives in need of healing. Instill in us today a desire to seek the healing power available to us and receive what Jesus is able to give us. We praise you for your gifts which have the strength to give us wellness in our lives.
ALL In Jesus Name, we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Gracious God, in these moments now, we gather our thoughts together to lay before you our brokenness and sins we have committed. Help us to acknowledge our condition and bring them before you now in silence. (Silence)
People We confess to you the following:
Our unwillingness to make changes in our lives that would promote health and wellness—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Our reluctance to ask for help from others, but mostly our reluctance to ask for your help to heal and transform us.
Our hardened hearts which form a barrier for further growth and prevent us from receiving what you are able to give us – strength, healing, and hope.
Our attempts to rationalize our behavior, yet when we see your commands and the example of Jesus, we are convicted.
Our lack of concern and love for our neighbors around us which reveals our tendencies toward self-centeredness.
Our preoccupation with the things of the world rather than worshipping and praising you, our God, for our lives and all that you have given to us.
Forgive us Lord for our expressions of shortcomings and those we hold in our hearts.
Pastor The promise was fulfilled and the gift was given: God sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead, so that all our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life. Praise God!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 16:9-15
Through the Holy Spirit, God called Paul to go to Macedonia to share the Good News with the people, and while there, they listened, and a household was baptized.
9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. 11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13 On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.
