Description
Theme – Accepting The Call Matthew 4:12-25
When you are called to leave your current geographical residence, job, or familiar daily life, you are faced with a decision. Do you accept the call or reject it? If you are a pastor, chances are, you have been through this process once or twice, perhaps more. A call from God can come in direct fashion, through leaders of churches, organizations, businesses, or in any creative way God chooses. When you are on the receiving end of a call, you do not hear an audible voice yet the message can be heard loud and clear, especially when you have taken the time to listen, pray, seek counsel, and meditate. Our lives are complicated and se can easily become settled. Accepting a call will inevitably disrupt the normal routines of life and will also normally affect family and other relationships. In today’s Gospel account, Jesus calls James and John and it without hesitation, they immediately follow Jesus. Their lives were changed forever. Perhaps we do not have all the information in relation to the dialogue, actions, and emotions involved, yet we know they accepted the call. God may not call us to be missionaries to Africa but he may call you to youth ministry, to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, or lead a Bible study. The list is endless. The bottom line is this: God is calling you to do something for the Kingdom because God has given you unique gifts and God wants you to be a steward of those gifts to impact lives. God is calling you to discipleship.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
O Praise Him
David Crowder, ©2003 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
My Lighthouse
Rend Collective, © 2013 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Nothing Is Impossible
Jonathan Hunt © 2008 Planet Shakers Ministries Int. Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
How Shall They Hear Who Have Not Heard
HS 98 868; LSB 831; WC 740; UMH 647
O Christ Who Called the Twelve
LSB 856
O God of Light
ELW 507; HS 98 869; LBW 237; LSB 836
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Let us praise God, our Father, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
ALL We give thanks to God who sent the light of Christ into the darkness of this world and calls us to follow Him.
Pastor The power of the Holy Spirit makes known this great news and God yearns for us to accept the call to follow Jesus and use the gifts given to us.
ALL Let us go forward in faith and reach out to others with this amazing message.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and loving God, You have called us to a life filled with purpose. You have given us inspiration and the wisdom of your Word to convict us, soften our hearts, and prepare us for living each day. Through your son, Jesus Christ, you have given us not only a savior, but an example for living–bringing us peace and fulfillment unlike anything else. Many in our world live in darkness and need the light of Christ. He proclaimed the life-giving message when he said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Open our hearts and minds to receive this promise and then share it with others.
All In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Almighty God, you constantly speak to us through your Word, yet we find ourselves floundering and trying to live life our way. We know that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves from its grips on our own. You sent Jesus to proclaim the truth and fulfill your promises and when he returned to heaven, he left us with His Spirit, that power that can release us from sin’s hold on us. Help us to look within right now and take inventory of ourselves.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
All Father, we confess to you that we live at times with hard hearts and cluttered minds. We have been self-centered and comfortable with who we are. We search for fulfillment and find ourselves letting the world tell us how to be fulfilled and content. Our values and belief system often become compromised. We ask for your forgiveness. Bring wisdom to our minds and speak to our hearts so that we can embrace the life-giving and life-saving promise of Christ.
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Word is clear. When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, the Lord keeps His promises and reconciles through the blood of Jesus Christ. We are washed clean and made new. The Lord loves you and has adopted you. Know that you are set free from your sins. You are truly forgiven! Thanks and praise to God!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 9:1-4
In the midst of great darkness in the world, God promised to send a light who would shine on everyone and bring hope which was revealed in the birth of Christ.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
