Description
John 17:6-19
While Jesus was on earth, He equipped believers with the tools they needed to live fueled for the Kingdom of God, but He also understood the hardships and troubles that they, and us, would be facing. So, Jesus prayed to the Father on behalf of those He would be leaving behind temporarily. He didn’t ask God to rescue them or us from the world, but rather provide protection from the evil one. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come after Him to dwell within believers and to sanctify them by the truth of the word.
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
Build Your Kingdom Here
Rend Collective Experiment, ©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Glorious Day (Passion)
Jason Ingram | Jonathan Smith | Kristian Stanfill | Sean Curran, © Sean Curran Publishing Designee (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) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Hickory Bill Doc (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
God Of Wonders
Marc Byrd & Steve Hindalong, ©2000 New Spring Publishing, Inc
[Traditional Options]
The Church’s One Foundation
BH 75 236; BH 91 350; CH 401; CHH 272; EH 525; ELW 654; HWC 277; HFG 547; HLC 200; HGP 184; HS 116; LBW 369; LSB 644; LW 289; NCH 366; PH 442; RH 340; STTL 668; WC 689; UMH 545; WAR 544; WHM 331; WIS 304
Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart
ELW 750; LBW 325; LSB 708; LW 413
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
BH 75 213; BH 91 61; CH 688; CHH 558; EH 708; ELW 799; HWC 462; HPW 53; HFG 601; HLC 321; HGP 369; LBW 481; LSB 711; NCH 252; PH 387; RH 611; STTL 578; WC 522; UMH 381; WAR 440; WHM 542; WIS 489
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Everything given to us is from the Father. He loves you!
Worshipers
We bless the name of the Lord! We exalt Him and lift Him high. He knows all, sees all, and hears all. May our praises rise like incense and be pleasing to the Lord today.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Hallelujah and amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of all, we worship You diligently and wholeheartedly right now. We give up our rights to this earth and recognize that this is only our temporary home. You’ve called us to live with You one day in Heaven. Help us hold firmly to Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son, so that neither death, nor the evil one, nor our own sin or love of the world can separate us from Him. We love You, Lord.
Worshipers
In the name of Jesus, who is seated at Your right hand, we pray, Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Watch over our ways, Lord!
Worshipers
Lead us not into temptation.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Cleanse us of anything that leaves behind a sinful residue, including the sins of which we are not even aware.
Worshipers
Give us patience as we wait for Your Word to lead us and light our paths.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, renew our minds in Christ Jesus, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit.
Worshipers
Fill our hearts with Your mysteries and miracles by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord and was now dead. So, Peter and the others prayed to the Lord and cast lots to see which of two men would step into the apostolic ministry. The lot fell to Matthias.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters 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.” 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.
