Description
Luke 6:17-26
Having been on a mountain, Jesus met a crowd of disciples, sick people, and those plagued by demons on a level plain and began healing and teaching them. He taught a series of blessings followed by woes to the people. While the world may praise and uplift the provisions of this temporary earth, believers are taught that eternal life and comfort comes through Jesus Christ alone. Nothing on this earth will eternally satisfy us- only Jesus.
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
Because He Lives (Amen)
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, & William J. Gaither, © 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
The Way
Ben Smith | Daniel Bashta | Pat Barrett, © Heritage Worship Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Go Forth Sounds (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing) Bread & Wine Sounds (Admin. by Watershed Music Group)
In Christ Alone
Keith Getty | Stuart Townend, © 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Alleluia, Song of Gladness
EH 122, 123; ELW 318; HS98 819;; LSB 417; WOV 654
Blest Are They
ELW 728; LSB 982; TFWS 2155; WOV 764; WAR 666
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
BH75 334; HB91 334; CH 572; CHH 543; LHH 543; ELW 638; HWC 345; HPW 47; HFG 67; HLC 317; HGP 44; HS 133; NCH 473; PH 341; RH 444; STTL 442; WC 514; UMH 369; WOV 699; WAR 426; WHM 416; WIS 437
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Good (morning, afternoon, evening) to you.
Worshipers
Good (morning, afternoon, evening).
Pastor / Worship Leader
We are blessed to be together, to experience worshiping the Lord in song and hearing the Word of the Lord through His Holy Scriptures.
Worshipers
Amen.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We shall not take for granted the blessing of being a body of believers in the presence of the Lord. And if you are here today, wondering if you even fit in, know that Jesus loves you. He welcomes you with open arms, whether you are standing on top of a mountain or in the lowest valley, He says, “Come as you are.”
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
So Lord Jesus, we are gathered in unison to lift up Your holy name. We love You and acknowledge that You are the Resurrected Christ, our Savior, who leads us to God. You have called us to live as Your followers, unlike the world, in our actions and words. We need You for this, Lord, for we desire Your blessings, not the woes that escort sin. We ask that You’d hear us today, meet us where we are, and take our hands so that we know where to go.
Worshipers
We love you, Jesus. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We have much to confess, as we admit that we are sinners.
Worshipers
We have sinned, and we must confess!
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess of using our riches for personal gain, indulging in excess, and brushing off Your commands.
Worshipers
We confess that we are seek out the approval of others instead of living fully sold out for You despite the opinions of others.
Pastor / Worship Leader
This is not how You’ve commanded us to live. Please forgive us.
Worshipers
He has forgiven, and He will forgive us!
Pastor / Worship Leader
We desire a blessed life so that our lives may reflect Your true life to those who do not yet know You.
Worshipers
We desire meekness and humility to live as You’ve asked. We ask for Your blessing, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Thank You, Jesus, for your forgiveness and grace. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 17:5-10
Those who turn away from the Lord face severe consequences, but those whose trust and faith are in God are blessed. Like a tree planted by streams of water, these people can stand firm and confidently in the Lord.
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”