Description

Luke 9:51-62

In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters three would-be disciples.  All three had reasons they could not follow Jesus – in fact, their refusal to follow seems almost reasonable.  And all three are left behind.  Discipleship is not convenient; it is not cultural; and it is not conditional.  We cannot follow Jesus on our terms.  Jesus’ call is all-encompassing, and He brooks nothing that would stand in the way.

 

… 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

Day After Day

Tim Hughes, ©2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Everyday

Joel Houston, ©1999 Joel Houston / Hillsong Publishing

Here Is Our King

David Crowder, ©2005 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sixsteps Music (EMI Christian Music Publishing)

 

[Traditional Options]

Alleluia! Jesus is Risen                                                                                                       

ELW 377; LSB 474; WOV 674; WAR 306   

Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus

ELW 802; LSB 685; LBW 487; LW 381

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor:             We begin in the name of the Father,

 

ALL                  Who have loved us from the beginning of time

 

Pastor              We begin in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ

 

ALL                  Who become one like us, that we might be restored to our true identity

 

Pastor              We begin in the name of the Holy Spirit,

 

ALL                 Who calls us to follow Jesus.  Amen.

  

Opening Prayer

Pastor            Almighty Father, You have loved us from all eternity.  You sent Your Son when we were lost that we might be restored to You.  In Jesus’ death and resurrection, we                                  are redeemed.  Your Spirit calls us to follow Jesus, and to love You with all we are.  Here and now we gather as Your people, in the name of Jesus, in Whose Spirit we                             pray.

 

ALL                  Amen. 

  

Time of Greeting

  

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message] 

Pastor              Forgiven, we take this opportunity to acknowledge we yet fall short of what God has redeemed us to be

 

(a time of silence)

 

Father…

 

ALL                  We want to follow Jesus, and we will – someday.  We want to live as disciples, and we will – when we are able.  We want to live boldly as Your                              people – as soon as we have the messes in our lives cleaned up.  We want to be Yours – but there are those who would not understand.  We                                  want to surrender everything to You – but there are still things we need to do.  We want to step out and love those around us, and we will – as                              soon as they become loveable. 

 

Pastor            God calls us to love Him with our whole heart, and to live a radical discipleship, living as those who are His.  He has called us to be His people, and He brooks nothing                             that would compete with His call.

 

ALL                  Forgive us, Lord. Forgive our reluctant discipleship.  Forgive our quick words, and our slow feet.

 

Pastor          This is the Gospel – we do not deserve the love of God.  There is nothing about us that merits His grace.  But He is love.  He gave His heart.  He gave His all.  He gave                              His Son to our Savior.  And Jesus was obedient to His Father, in every way and in all things.  Jesus died, and we are forgiven.  He rose again, and we are set free.  He                              calls us to leave everything and follow Him.

 

ALL              Fill us with the power of Your Spirit, Father, that we might truly live as disciples of Jesus.  Amen. 

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading:  1K ings 19:15-16, 19-21                     

The Lord tells Elijah to anoint Elisha as prophet.  Elisha obeys.

 

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.