Description
John 1:43-51
Jesus called Philip to be one of his disciples. Philip found Nathanael and told him the great news, but Nathanael doubted Jesus at first. But when Jesus told Nathanael He had seen him under the fig tree, Nathanael had a change of heart and believed. Many of us are just like Nathanael with doubts and reservations, but Jesus knows us intimately and calls us to a life of faith. As we answer the call to follow Jesus, we can expect to witness His transforming work in our lives.
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
Your Love Awakens Me
Chris Quilala | Phil Wickham, © Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]) Seems Like Music (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]) Sing My Songs (Admin. by BMG Rights Management [c/o Music Services, Inc.]) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Light of the World
Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, & Paul Mabury, © 2014 CentricSongs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Flychild Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Annie and Clyde Music
This Is Our God
David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, & Travis Cottrell, © 2006 CCTB Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) First Hand Revelation Music (Admin. by The Loving Company) (Admin. by The Loving Company (Mechanical))
[Traditional Options]
Hark The Voice of Jesus Calling
BH 91 591; HFG 669; HLC 493; LBW 381; LSB 826/827; LW 318; RH 365
Come Follow Me, The Savior Spoke
ELW 799; LBW 455; LSB 688; LW 379; CH 481; STTL 321; WIS 230
Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens
LSB 589; LW 339
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome brothers and sisters to this gathering today. Just as Samuel listened attentively to the voice of God, may we open our hearts to hear His voice speaking to us today. Let’s pray together.
Worshipers
We still ourselves in the presence of the Lord, eager to hear His voice.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving Father, we come before you with open hearts, ready to receive whatever You have for us today. We listen and respond to Your call. Guide our thoughts, words, and actions, and help us to honor You with our bodies recognizing that we are temples of Your Holy Spirit.
Worshipers
May we feel Your presence among us right now. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We all have our moments of doubts. Much like Nathanael, we’ve doubted and questioned God’s presence in our lives. God, are you really there? Where are you, God? Don’t you even care? We grow in skepticism and unbelief creeps in, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of God’s grace and love. We must confess and turn to the Lord. He is so kind, compassionate, full of love and mercy, and desires for us to draw near.
Worshipers
Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness for those moments of doubt and unbelief. We have questioned Your ability to use us for Your purposes. Forgive us for the times when we have allowed our doubt to hinder our relationship with You. Forgive us for distancing away from You instead of running to You.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Just as the Lord saw Nathanael under the fig tree, so God sees us in our moments of doubt and questioning. He loves us unconditionally and forgives us wiping our slates clean. Let’s embrace the forgiveness of Christ today.
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
The boy Samuel heard a voice calling his name in the middle of the night. Not recognizing this voice as the Lord’s, Samuel repeatedly went to Eli. Eli instructed Samuel to listen and respond for the Lord was calling him.
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days, the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” 15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.”17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” 19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.
