Description
John 8:31-36
Jesus is in the middle of a long debate with the Pharisees and other people who had been following him. The debate is about who He is, who He claims to be, and who they are. Jesus tells them about his Father, but they do not understand. He tells them that if they abide in him that they will know the truth. Jesus tells them they are slaves to sin, but the Son can set them free.
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
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther, Praise Band arrangement – check out PriaseCharts.com
I Thank God
Aaron Moses | Chuck Butler | Dante Bowe | Enrique Holmes | Jesse Cline | Maryanne J. George
© 2021 Bethel Worship Publishing; Heritage Worship Music Publishing; Maverick City Publishing; Aaron Moses Chiriboga Music; Be Essential Songs; Holmeboy Music Group; Jesse Cline Publishing Designee; Jord A Lil Music; MJ George Music
God So Loved
Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Martin Cash, ©2019 We The Kingdom Music, Andrew Bergthold Designee, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
BH 75 37; BH 91 8; CH 151; CHH 65; EH 687,688; ELW 503,504; HWC 26; HPW 18; HFG 118; HLC 11; HGP 10; HSP 31; LBW 228,229; LSB 656,6577; LW 296,297; NCH 439,440; PH 259,260; RH 17; STTL 30; WC 43; UMH 110; WAR 507; WHM 13; WIS 4
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
BH 75 69; BH 91 216; CH 21; CHH 5; EH 493; ELW 886; HWC 76; HPW 7; HFG 349; HLC 90; HGP 32; HSP 19; LBW 559; LSB 528; LW 276; NCH 42; PH 466; RH 51; STTL 147; WC 130; UMH 57; WAR 96; WHM 46; WIS 12
Blessed Jesus, At Your Word
EH 440; ELW 520; LBW 248; LSB 904; NCH 74; PH 454; UMH 596
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Though the earth trembles, and mountains slide into the sea, we will not fear. You, God, are our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Worshipers
Waters may rise and roar, and mountains shake at their surging; but, You, the God of hosts are with us–our stronghold, the God of Israel.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Even if nations are in chaos, and kingdoms fall, Your voice resounds, the earth melts away.
Worshipers
God is with us; the God of Israel is our stronghold.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Come! See the deeds of the Most High, the marvellous things God has done on earth; all over the world, God has stopped wars– breaking bows, splintering spears, burning the shields with fire.
Worshipers
We know that you are God, exalted among the nations, exalted upon the earth. The Most High is with us; our stronghold is the God of Israel.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth and the Light, the Light of the World. Chase away the darkness of sin, the darkness of fear and doubt and despair. Fill us with the light of Your truth, Your Word. Produce in us the fruit of righteousness – the evidence that Your Holy Spirit lives in us and works in us and works through us. Teach us what is pleasing to You. Make us shining examples of Your amazing grace, redeeming love, your truth and life-changing power. May others be drawn to You through us. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
O God of mercy, we lament that even good actions of reform and renewal had often unintended negative consequences.
Worshipers
We bring before you the burdens of the guilt of the past when our forbears did not follow your will that all be one in the truth of the Gospel.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess our own ways of thinking and acting that perpetuate the divisions of the past. As communities and as individuals, we build many walls around us: mental, spiritual, physical, political walls
that result in discrimination and violence. Forgive us, Lord.
Worshipers
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He is our peace, who breaks down the walls that divide, who gives us, through the Holy Spirit, ever-new beginnings.
Worshipers
In Christ, we receive forgiveness and reconciliation, and we are strengthened for a faithful and common witness in our time.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34
The New Covenant promised to us by God many, many years ago was established through His Son, Jesus Christ. This covenant would write God on our hearts so that an intimate and real covenant relationship with Him is possible.
31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
