Description
Luke 10:38-42
We live in a world where it is so easy to get distracted by the many things we have to do and the life concerns we have. The story in the book of Luke shows us clearly what can happen when we find ourselves overtaken by the stuff we have to do and the worries on our minds. We miss out on great experiences right in front of us. Jesus reminds us to “be present” at moments in our lives for it is in these moments of listening and presence that we will be nourished by God’s word. In our story, Mary was “present” with Jesus and therefore reaped the benefits of his presence at that moment, while Martha missed out as she was scurrying around the kitchen—consumed by her busyness. This is a great lesson for us all. Jesus wants us to be present—listening and being attentive to the gifts he yearns to give us.
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
God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion)
Daniel Bashta, © 2009 Go Forth Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Meet With Me
Lamont Hiebert, ©1999 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
Great I Am
Jared Anderson, ©2011 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI))
[Traditional Options]
Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
ELW 533; LBW 250; LSB 901; LW 198, NCH 67; PH 489
For All The Faithful Women (esp. stanza 9)
ELW 419; HS 98 880; LSB 855; WOV 692
O, What Their Joy and Their Glory Must Be
EH 623; HS 98 638; LBW 337; LSB 675; NCH 385; UMH 727
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We praise God for this day and bringing us here so that we can slow down for a moment from the busyness of life and be present with God, our Creator. Now is the time to worship and celebrate the new life we have in Christ.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, we get so caught up in the demands of life and lose sight of what is most important in your eyes. While we are in your presence, help us to examine our lives today and see if we are out of balance when it comes to priorities. We ask that you help us determine an order of importance in our responsibilities that would be pleasing to you. You have given us every moment of our lives as a gift and in this time of worship, we want to show our love and gratitude for all that you have given us. May we use this time to honor you!
ALL In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
All God of love and mercy, we have gathered to praise your Holy name and give thanks for all that you have done for us. We confess that the busyness of our lives has captivated us and we have neglected you. We confess that much of the time we have put our worldly priorities over yours and in doing so, have put you low on the priority list or worse yet, and have forgotten you completely. Through the story of Mary and Martha, we are once again reminded that you are to be first in our lives. We confess that we have not listened to you in the midst of all the distractions and temptations that surround us on a daily basis. We have not been attentive to you and therefore we have missed out on your wisdom and guidance for our lives. Please help us let go of our pride and control so that we make you number one in our lives.
(silence for personal reflection and confession)
Pastor It is such comfort to know that no matter what our sins are, they are forgiven and washed away. Through this time of confession, we are able to repair the broken relationship that sin causes in our lives and come into God’s presence. Let us all rejoice now as we embrace the truth that all our sins are forgiven!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 18:1-10a
In this account, the Lord appears to Abraham and tells him that in time, his wife, Sarah, will give birth to a son. This seemed impossible since Abraham and Sarah were advanced in age, yet we see that there is nothing beyond God’s capabilities and power.
The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” 7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. 9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. 10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
