Description
Luke 13:1-9
Jesus used the parable of the fig tree, representing Israel’s last chance to repent before God’s judgment. During a period of grace, Jesus will tend to the tree in hopes that it will bear fruit. If it doesn’t, the tree will be cut down. This gracious and compassionate opportunity is extended for a year, but not infinitely. The final judgment is coming one day to the entire world. True repentance is the key to bearing life-producing fruit.
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
Holy Water
Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash © 2019 Andrew Bergthold Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) We The Kingdom Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King
Robert Robinson & Thomas Miller, ©2005 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Integrity’s Praise! Music)
In Christ Alone
Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, ©2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
ELW 767; LBW 333; LSB 722; LW 512
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
BH75 163; BH91 342; CH 342; CHH 214; EH 685; ELW 623; HWC 204; HFG 108; HLC 149; HGP 336; HSP 9; LBW 327; LSB 761; LW 361; NCH 596; RH 277; STTL 445; WC 227; UMH 361; WAR 384; WHM 507; WIS 47
Glorious Things of Thee/You Are Spoken
BH 91 398; CH 400; CHH 709; EH 522, 523; ELW 647; HWC 278; HFG 376; HLC 209; HGP 165; LBW 358; LSB 648; LW 294; NCH 307; PH 446; RH 339; STTL 670; WC 694; UMH 731; WAR 598; WHM 35; WIS 308
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
It is the Lord who quenches our thirsty souls.
Worshipers
So we who are thirsty, come.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
With His love, God quenches us. With His grace He reaches us. So, we come.
Worshipers
We come. Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, Your covenant is eternal. You are faithful and true. We have softs hearts before You for You change us, mold us, and shape us by Your Holy Spirit. You are the merciful Forgiver, extending Your grace to us. We love You and worship You today.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord calls us to repentance.
Worshipers
It’s His kindness that leads us there.
Pastor / Worship Leader
When we repent, we turn from sin to God. We enter eternal life through the Son, Jesus Christ, through confession, repentance, and believing in faith.
Worshipers
Ready our hearts now for true repentance. Reveal the sin in us to us by Your grace. Rid us of sin, Lord, and forgive us. We confess that we cannot do this on our own.
Pastor /Worship Leader
Lord, You are faithful to forgive us. We are so thankful that You are the God we serve, and who loves us to our core.
Worshipers
We love You, Lord. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ezekiel 33:7-20
The prophet Ezekiel warned the people of Israel to turn from their wicked ways. Their evil would bring on death, but righteousness would be found in the Lord God.
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. 10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ 12 “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ 13 If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. 14 And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— 15 if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die.16 None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. 18 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. 19 And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so. 20 Yet you Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to your own ways.”
