Description
Matthew 25:31-46
In this passage, Jesus described the final judgment. He will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, welcoming the righteous into eternal life but condemning the unrighteous to eternal punishment based on their actions and compassion and care for others. This serves as a powerful reminder that how we live our lives on this earth will affect our eternity. Our actions are a direct expression of our faith in God.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome dear brothers and sisters. As we worship and fellowship today, may our hearts be stirred with a profound compassion and commitment to extend love and mercy to those in need. Just as Christ extended us mercy, let us freely give it.
Worshipers
Lord, Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness!
Time of Praise and Worship
Crown Him (Majesty)
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, George Job Elvey, Godfrey Thring, Matt Maher, & Matthew Bridges, © 2013 A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
O Worship The King
Chris Tomlin, Johann Michael Haydn, & Robert Grant, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
You’re Worthy Of My Praise
Daniel Ruis, ©1991 Maranatha Praise, Inc. (Admin. by Maranatha! Music) Shade Tree Music (Admin. by Maranatha!
[Traditional Options]
Crown Him With Many Crowns
BH 75 52; BH 91 161; CH 45; CHH 234; EH 494; ELW 855; HWC 234; HFG 345; HLC 85; HGP 24; HSP 83; LBW 170; LSB 525; LW 278; NCH 301; PH 151; RH 192; RS 626; STTL 272; WC 92; UMH 327; WAR 317; WHM 51; WIS 162
Praise to You, and Adoration
LSB 692
O Worship The King
BH 75 30; BH 91 16; CH 104; CHH 17; EH 388; ELW 842; HWC 10; HPW 13; HFG 336; HLC 21; HGP 1; HSP 6; LBW 548; LSB 804; LW 458; NCH 26; PH 476; RH 5; STTL 64; WC 29; UMH 73; WAR 2; WHM 14; WIS 6
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Yes, Lord, You are faithful. You were faithful at our worst, and You are faithful at our best. May we serve You wholeheartedly by serving the least of these.
Worshipers
Holy Spirit, fill us with compassion and love. Inspire us with who You are and open our hearts to respond to You.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, You are the Good Shepherd. In the final days of judgment, You will separate the sheep from the goats. We want to be found worthy. We want to be known for our love and service toward others. We welcome Your presence among us, knowing that You are the ultimate Judge and Shepherd of our souls. May we be instruments of Your love.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious and merciful God, we have fallen short in recognizing and responding to the needs of the least of these.
Worshipers
Forgive us for the times when we’ve turned away from the hurting, the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the poor among us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Lord.
Worshipers
We confess our tendency to prioritize our own concerns and comfort over the needs of those who suffer arounds us. Forgive us for our indifference and self-centeredness and grant us a heart of compassion.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We thank You for your boundless grace and forgiveness. May Your love and grace guide our actions.
Worshipers
We receive Your forgiveness. In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
God compares Himself to a shepherd who seeks out and tends to His scattered flock. God promises to search for the lost sheep and bring back the strays.
11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
