Description
John 6:56-69
Verse 56 of John 6 starts this week’s Gospel as it ended last week’s- whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me… Jesus continues to teach this very difficult teaching. Jesus says he is the living bread and that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will have eternal life. His flesh is real food, and his blood is real drink. Many are offended and cannot accept it; and Jesus loses many followers. As many disciples turn away, Jesus challenges the twelve- don’t they also want to leave? But Peter says to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life, you are the Holy one of God.”
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
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, ©2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps, Music SHOUT! Publishing (admin EMI CMG Publishing)
Today Is The Day
Lincoln Brewster & Paul Baloche, ©2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King
Robert Robinson & Thomas Miller, ©2005 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Integrity’s Praise! Music)
[Traditional Options]
Blessed Jesus, At Your Word
EH 440; ELW 520; LBW 248; LSB 904; NCH 74; PH 454; UMH 596
Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
BH75 12,13; BH 91 15, 18; CH 11; CHH 16; EH 686; ELW 807; HS98 876; HWC 2; HPW 4; HFG 318; HLC 28; HGP 9; HSP 16; LBW 499; LWB 686; NCH 459; PH 356; RH 11; STTL 51; WC 45; UMH 400; WAR 68; WHM 30; WIS 62
Christ the Eternal Lord
LSB 829; WAR 339
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Almighty God, we are in awe of your magnificent power displayed through the entire universe, for through you all things were made, and all things have their being.
Worshipers
We come before you with grateful thanks and with hearts that long to adore you and worship only you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, may we know the presence of the Holy Spirit here with us today. May we be open to your leading, sensitive to you speaking and alert to your calling.
Worshipers
Father, we invite the same power that was at work when Jesus was raised from the grave to be present with us here now. Lord, we declare that you are welcome here amongst us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, we declare that we love you. Thank you that you have made the way of love known through your son Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
We pray that you would reveal this great love to us all today as we gather to worship. Lead us by your Spirit to praise you. May our hearts overflow with thanksgiving and our mouths proclaim your everlasting greatness.
Pastor / Worship Leader
This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Gospel of John and the glorious truth and wealth of information it contains about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You that He came to earth as the incarnate Word, the living Bread from heaven, and the Water of life, and that He lived, and died, and rose again, so that all may receive a new life in Him. Thank You that You sent Him to be Israel’s Passover Lamb and the precious Sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. I pray that every part of the Bible may remain vibrant to me and that You teach me more and more of the wonderful truth of Jesus. This I ask in His precious name, Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Worshipers
Our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and full of unfailing love.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night.
Worshipers
God will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
Worshipers
God has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Worshipers
Our God is merciful and gracious. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Joshua, the successor to Moses has led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Time has passed, the Israelites are at rest and Joshua now having grown old and soon to die, says his goodbye. He summons all the leaders and speaks to the people. And he tells them what God says- to fear the Lord and serve Him. And some pointed words- if that is undesirable, then choose now whom you will serve. Joshua makes clear he and his household serve the Lord.
Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:
14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! 17 It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.”
