Description
Luke 17:5-10
Most of us have a tendency to want to “take control” in many aspects of our lives. Letting go and allowing God, our Creator and the orchestrator of the universe, take control, is difficult—more so for some than others. When finally pressed, we all know that what we can do or that which we have control over is very limited in many instances. The Gospel lesson for today is a great reminder to us that faith, even a little faith, has the capacity to produce in abundance. Relinquishing control and submitting to God means we become “slaves” of God—allowing God to accomplish far more than we ever could on our own. Just a little faith on our part can produce fruit which exceeds our wildest imaginations. We just need to be willing to release areas and issues of our lives to the One who loves us so that His perfect will can be accomplished.
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
Walk By Faith
Jeremy Camp, ©2002 Thirsty Moon River Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Stolen Pride (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
God Is Able
Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan, ©2010 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
God Is In Control
Twila Paris, ©1993 Ariose Music (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Mountain Spring Music (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
I Walk By Faith
Chris Falson © 1990,1999 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
[Traditional Options]
All Glory Be To God Alone
LSB 948; LW 210
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720;; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
All Depends on Our Possessing
ELW 589; LBW 447; LSB 732; LW 415
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We join together in faith to worship God, the Father, maker of the heavens and the earth.
ALL We join together in faith to lift up Jesus who fulfilled the Word of God.
Pastor We join together in faith to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit—our advocate for change.
ALL We come together in faith knowing and believing that there is always hope! Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor God of power and might, it is a joy to be here to worship You and raise our voices in praise to Your Holy name! You are one Who gives us hope in the midst of a world that can be hopeless much of the time. Increase our faith so that we can relinquish control and release our burdens and challenges as well as our hopes and dreams to you. We know that You are able to do far beyond anything we could ask or imagine because of the power at work in us. You have showed us in so many ways that a little faith can go a long way. You have planted the seed of Your Word in us and now it is our desire to grow into maturity in our faith which we know leads to action. Empower us with the Holy Spirit so that we can impact lives and bear fruit — giving glory to You!
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor Almighty and everlasting God, You speak to us today through Your word as You always have. We know that we are slaves to sin and cannot free ourselves from its grips on us. That reality means we need Jesus Who has the power to set us free from this bondage. We know that we cannot do this ourselves. Give us a willingness to submit our lives to You so that we can be released from sin’s hold on us.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
All Father, we confess to You that we often take control in our lives and leave You out of our thoughts and decisions. We have lacked faith, even a little faith, in so many areas of our lives. For this reason, we have not let You be in control and have stood in the way of your will for our lives. Our attitudes and belief system have been influenced by the world and we suffer the consequences. We are deeply sorry and ask for Your forgiveness.
Pastor We have openly made confession to God and have asked for forgiveness. God has promised us cleansing and renewal. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we have been reconciled and made new again. The Lord loves you and sheds his grace on you. You are set free from the grips of your sin. You are forgiven! Praise God!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4
The Babylonians put all their trust in themselves rather than in God and suffered a fall. God’s message is that the righteous live by putting their faith in God.
1 The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. 2 How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
1 will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint 2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. 4 “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright — but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness
