Description
John 6:35-51
Jesus continues to teach the crowds-the food that leads to eternal life is what matters, not the food that spoils. It is Jesus who is the bread of life. Jesus speaks of the Father whose will he has come to do. Jesus says he will lose none that the Father has sent to him but will raise them up the last day. He explains the will of God, that all who believe in the Son will have eternal life. All of this is controversial and met with grumbling by the Jews. This leads into very difficult teaching- “the bread is my flesh.”
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
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin, John Newton, & Louie Giglio, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
Chris Tomlin | Fanny Jane Crosby | Matt Redman | Robert S. Lowry, © 2008 Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
What a Beautiful Name
Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood, © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Just As I Am
BH 75 186,187; BH 91 303,307; CH 488; CHH 339; EH 693; ELW 592; HWC 342; HPW 40; HFG 417; HLC 260; HGP 221; HSP 300; LBW 296; LSB 570; LW 359; NCH 207; PH 370; RH 275; STTL 343; WC 445; UMH 357; WAR 354; WHM 497; WIS 232
Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens
LSB 589; LW 339
Come Unto Me Ye Weary
LSB 684; LW 345
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, into your most holy presence we now come. Calm our anxious spirits.
Worshipers
Remove the distractions that would keep us from you here today. Break down the walls of separation that we have built to keep you from our hardened hearts. Lead us in joy and celebration of the only reality worth knowing, that you love us as we are. Free us for joyful obedience to your claim and call on our lives this day and every day.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us rise and meet our Creator.
Worshipers
Let us raise our hands and voices in acknowledgment that God’s Holy Spirit moves among us, calling us to new life in Christ. Let us raise our eyes, knowing that this new life of stewardship for all God’s creation is seen in the life of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we come before your throne of grace not trusting in ourselves but in your marvelous and gracious love as it seeks expression among us.
Worshipers
May we listen for your still, small voice as it speaks to us today and as it boldly proclaims the undeniable reality of your love that will not let us go.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Stir our hearts and our imaginations that we may see beyond appearances of what is to the reality of what can be. Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, Your Word is food for my soul and refreshment for my heart. Thank You for sending Your precious Son into the world to be the Bread that came down from heaven to feed my hungry soul and give life to those that are dead in their sin. Thank You that in Your mercy and grace, You sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins and that all who come to Him by faith will not be cast out. Thank You for this free gift of Your grace. Help me to share the good news with others who are dead in their sins and heading for eternal separation from You. Thank You for being the Living Bread which came down from heaven. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, I have betrayed you by following my own way.
Worshipers
I have denied you by fearing to follow yours.
Pastor / Worship Leader
And I have mocked you by not taking your death seriously.
Worshipers
Lord, I am lost. Let your forgiveness find me.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Hold me in your strong arms and give me your new life.
Worshipers
Live in me and with me day by day.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.
Worshipers
Thanks be to God! Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 1 Kings 19:1-8
The Prophet Elijah, who had just witnessed amazing miracles by God, including the defeat of the 450 prophets of Baal, now runs away in fear of Jezebel. Elijah prays for death but instead is met by an angel who provides him food and water. Elijah now strengthened travels to Horeb, the mountain of God. Elijah will meet the Lord there and complain about being the only prophet left. God responds with further instructions for Elijah.
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
