Description
Matthew 25:14-30
In its literary setting, Jesus tells this parable to his disciples to prepare them for the days ahead when their faith will be tested. This parable depicts how the disciples are to demonstrate their faithfulness as they anticipate the return of the Lord. What does faithfulness look like in a time of waiting? In Matthew’s Gospel faithfulness is emulating the ministry of Jesus. Jesus has announced the arrival of God’s kingdom by feeding the hungry, curing the sick, blessing the meek, and serving the least. All who would follow Jesus are to preach the good news of the kingdom to the whole world by going about the work that the master has called them to do. This work includes visiting the sick and imprisoned, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, and feeding the hungry. Those who are found faithful may hear their Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Good morning! I welcome you in the name of Jesus Christ as we gather this morning to worship and serve him.
Worshipers
All glory be to God.
Time of Praise and Worship
Come, Now Is The Time To Worship
Brian Doerksen, ©1998 Vineyard Songs
*adapt text to “gladly serve You now…”
Nobody
Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, Matthew West, © 2018 My Refuge Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Highly Combustible Music (Admin. by One77 Songs c/o Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP)) House of Story Music Publishing (Admin. by One77 Songs c/o Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP)) One77 Songs (Admin. by One77 Songs c/o Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP))
Remaining portion is unaffiliated
My Story
Jason Ingram/Michael Weaver, © 2014 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Weave Country (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather
BH 91 179; CHH 278; ELW 530; NCH 72; PH 465; UMH 552; WAR 597
Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW 655; LBW 364; LSB 842; LW 394; NCH 542
We Praise and Acknowledge You, O God
LSB 941
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us rise and meet our Creator.
Worshipers
Let us raise our hands and voices in acknowledgment that God’s Holy Spirit moves among us, calling us to new life in Christ. Let us raise our eyes, knowing that this new life of stewardship for all God’s creation is seen in the life of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Day or night, it is always the right time to come before God,
Worshipers
For God already knows what lies in our hearts.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, to you we offer up our hopes yet unmet:
Worshipers
For peace, for reconciliation, for grace.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, to you we offer up the wrongs we have done:
Worshipers
Our greed, our apathy, our meanness.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, to you we offer up the good we have left undone:
Worshipers
Forgiving another, offering mercy, choosing compassion.
Pastor / Worship Leader
And in silence, let us offer God the whole of our hearts.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Zephaniah warns God’s people of the danger of becoming idle and
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.’ 13 Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, hey will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.” 14 The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. 15 That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness— 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers 17 “I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.
