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
Mighty Fortress
Aaron Shust, Paul Baloche © 2013 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) CP Shust Tunes (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook))
Set Free (Darst)
Hope Darst | Jonathan Smith | Mia Fieldes © 2020 Be Essential Songs; Cashagamble Jet Music; Upside Down Under; Fair Trade Global Songs; Hope For The Best Songs
My Jesus
Anne Wilson | Jeff Pardo | Matthew West, © 2021 BrentHood Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jacobs Story Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Meaux Mercy (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Remaining portion is unaffiliated
[Traditional Options]
Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand
BH 75 235; BH 91 351; CHH 273; ELW 652; HFG 555; HLC 201; LBW 365; LSB 645; LW 291; WC 705; WAR 546; WHM 340
O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide
LSB 355; LW 32
Let Me Be Thine Forever
LBW 490; LSB 689; LW 257
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
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for your forgiveness and your blessing. We pray for ourselves and your church throughout the world. Fill us with a spirit of openness to your Spirit, to hear and receive your promises and to keep our covenant with you. Where we are corrupt, purify us. Where we are in error, direct us. Where we are in need, provide for us. Where we are divided, reunite us. And where we are close-minded, reform us and make us new. We pray in Jesus’ name. 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,
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ho 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
We hear words of promise from the prophet Jeremiah, words about a new covenant and a renewed relationship between God and God’s people.
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. “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.”
