Description
John 11:1-45
There are numerous names mentioned in Scripture that refer to Jesus. In this passage, Jesus calls Himself the “Resurrection and the Life” and Lazarus experienced the powerful name of Jesus on a very personal level. After becoming ill, Lazarus died and was laid in a tomb for four days. But Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating that He could defeat death and would just a short time later. What areas of your life need to be spiritually resurrected? Where do you need the true life that Jesus has to offer?
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
Rise Up And Praise Him
Paul Baloche & Gary Sadler, ©1996 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Set a Fire
Will Reagan, ©2010 United Pursuit Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
There’s Nothing Our God Can’t Do
Kristian Stanfill, Jonathan Smith, Brandon Lake 2019 Kristian Stanfill Publishing Designee, sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Maverick City Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing (Admin by Bethel Music Publishing) Cashagamble Jet Music, Be Essential Songs (Admin by Essential Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Sing Praise To God, the Highest Good
ELW 871; LBW 542; LSB 819; LW 452
Thanks to Thee, O Christ, Victorious
LSB 548
Rise, Shine, You People
ELW 665; HS 98 871; LBW 393; LSB 825; UMH 187; WAR 89
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
I have great news to share with you today. There is hope in the Lord!
Worshipers
This news is so good to hear.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Where you’ve lost hope, be encouraged. There is life and breath in the Spirit of the Lord. Hang on- there is hope!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, who can withstand Your great power? There is no one, none at all! You worked miracles on earth- even raised Lazarus from the dead! You defeated death Yourself- we worship You. We acknowledge You as our Savior, Protector, and reason for hope. Accept our worship, we pray.
Worshipers
To You alone, Jesus, we bring our worship and praise. May our offering be pleasing to You. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
In this world, we know what it means to mourn. We weep, we wail, we curse at the sins of others. We grieve lives taken too soon; we mourn those who’ve ended their lives. But we are guilty of sinning and committing crimes against our brothers and sisters. Today we look at ourselves in the mirror. We need to grieve our own sins so we can repent and be forgiven. Take a moment to pray, to confess, and to ask the Lord for His forgiveness.
(Allow a few minutes for prayer.)
Pastor / Worship Leader
We turn our eyes to You, Jesus. You paid the ultimate sacrifice for our forgiveness, a gift we don’t deserve. Extend Your grace to us, Jesus, and forgive us of our sins.
Worshipers
Forgive us now, Lord Jesus, we as. Help us to turn away from wickedness and pursue holiness. In Your loving name we ask these things, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ezekiel 37:1-14
Echoing creation, God spoke to the dry bones and caused breath to enter into them. Flesh covered the bones, and they came to life. The Word of the Lord is powerful!
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”
