Description
John 17:20-26
Jesus prayed a heartfelt prayer for future believers to have unity just as He had with the Father. He gave His life for us that we would experience the glory of God on earth and share with the world this precious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. As we read this beautiful prayer of our Savior, may we be reminded of the hope we find in Him, the great love of our Father, and the eternal life we have to look forward to in Heaven.
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
Your Love Awakens Me
Chris Quilala & Phil Wickham, © Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Our God Saves
Brenton Brown and Paul Baloche, ©2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Who You Say I Am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan, © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love To Me
BH75 326; BH91 123; HS 98 857; HLC 364; LBW 336; LSB 683; LW 280; PH 366; STTL 499; WC 556
O Holy Spirit, Enter In
ELW 786; LBW 459; LSB 913; LW 160
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
EH 490; ELW 815; LSB 411; RS 651; WC 539; UMH 206; WOV 649; WAR 249
Invocation
Pastor Praise the Lord- He is good!
ALL His mercies are new every morning.
Pastor The Lord is kind and compassionate. He intercedes on our behalf.
ALL He prayed for all future believers and us to have unity with one another through Him.
Pastor So let us cast aside our differences and disagreements and come together as one body in Christ our Lord.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Let us pray. Lord in Heaven, just like you are one with the Son and Spirit, we ask tha
You would join Your body, Your Bride, together as one in this place and all around the
world. We lack unity with one another and need your strength, courage, and love. May
we see one another as You see us- members of one body. May we use our strengths to
build Your Kingdom and not tear one another down. We need You, Lord. Come Lord
Jesus.
ALL Come Lord Jesus! Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor In our fleshly nature, it is much easier to give into the temptation of tearing one another
down.
ALL We confess that we gossip behind one another’s backs, reject each other, and live
in isolation instead of unity. Forgive us, Father.
Pastor In our fleshly nature, it is much easier to rely on our own power instead of following the
example of our Lord Jesus Christ as He took everything to the Father in prayer.
ALL We confess that we put prayer on the back burner and rely on the ideas of this
world or our own imaginations, feelings, and thoughts to steer us when we should
go to God in prayer. Father, forgive us.
Pastor Lord, we pray.
ALL Father, we confess of these sins and accept your forgiveness through Your Son-
Jesus Christ who died in our place and resurrected on the third day to give us
eternal life. We thank you for loving us so much even when we choose sin over
You. Help us to listen to Your voice, heed Your Word, and follow You forever. In
Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 1:12-26
The apostles pray for the right man to take Judas’ place. After praying, they cast lots that fell to Matthias.
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[b] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
