Description
Matthew 14:22-33
On a stormy night, the disciples were traveling in a boat ahead of Jesus fighting the waves. Suddenly, Jesus appeared walking on the water toward them and the disciples thought He was a ghost. Jesus called Peter out to walk on the water, but Peter became afraid and began to sink. Saved by the hand of the Savior, Peter, and the others in the boat worshiped Jesus. Our feet may fail us, but Jesus never does.
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
Surrounded (Fight My Battles)
Elyssa Smith, © 2017 UR Global Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Unfailing Love
Chris Tomlin, Cary Pierce, & Ed Cash, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Popular Purple Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
I Will Lift My Eyes
Bebo Norman | Jason Ingram, ©2006 Appstreet Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Peertunes, Ltd. (Admin. by peermusic) Windsor Way Music (Admin. by peermusic)
[Traditional Options]
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
ELW 767; LBW 333; LSB 722; LW 512
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
BH 75 439; BH 91 73; EH 677; HFG 603; LBW 483; LSB 765; LW 426; NCH 412; WC 73; WAR 65; WIS 22
My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
BH 75 337; CH 526; CHH 537; ELW 596; HFG 92; HLC 313; HSP 125; LBW 293,294; LSB 575; LW 368; NCH 403; PH 379; RH 419; UMH 368; WAR 405
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome to this house of worship, this place of prayer, this body that belongs to Christ. Come into this sanctuary of praise and reverence for the Lord God Almighty and put on the garment of praise. Welcome to your heart the Holy Spirit of God who pours out grace and supplication. You who are broken, weary, faithful, lost, afraid, lonely, and fatherless- you are welcome here.
Worshipers
The Lord God welcomes us with an outstretched arm to rescue and redeem us from death. We take His hand in trust and love and keep our eyes on Him.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Dear Jesus, we trust You to pull us through the storms of life. We look to You to be the lighthouse in the darkness. We seek You as our anchor in the midst of stormy seas. We listen for Your voice that calls us out to join You on the waters. When we are afraid, we will trust in You because You are faithful and steadfast, just, and full of mercy, worthy of honor and overflowing with abundant grace and love.
Worshipers
Lord, we ask that You, by Your power and mercy, command the darkness to flee, the storms to still, and the wind to silence right now. Limit the distractions in this room so that we may focused on all that You are and all that You have to offer. We worship You in Spirit and in truth. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
Our confession is soaked in guilt and shame as we admit our faults and sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we repent.
Worshipers
Because of Your kindness, we repent of our wicked and vile ways. We take our eyes off of you and fall into sin’s trap. It’s a dark pit that leads us to death.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Lord, we seek forgiveness.
Worshipers
You reach out for us and offer us a way out. Your arm is strong and breaks through strongholds to deliver us from evil. You are the only one who forgives us unconditionally and wipes away our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we give thanks.
Worshipers
We offer sacrificial thanksgiving as an offering of surrender. We accept the forgiveness You have to give, and we say thank you for redemption! Thank you for grace! Thank you for love! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 1 Kings 19:9-18
The prophet Elijah had a powerful encounter with God on the mountain as God passed by. A powerful wind, earthquake, and fire occurred, but God was not in those. Instead, He chose to spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper.
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. The Lord Appears to Elijah And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
