Description

Mark 7:14-23

While the Pharisees were concerned with ritual purity (regarding handwashing), Jesus emphasized that true defilement comes from within a person. Jesus taught that the evil thoughts and actions originating from the heart is what corrupts a person, not the mere observance of human traditions. When focusing on a pure heart and authentic faith, we can align our daily actions with the core principles found in Jesus’ teachings to become better witnesses to the world.

 

 

…  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

   Welcome, dear friends, to this time of worship. The Lord has given us His commandments, so it is time for action!

 

Worshipers

   We devour Your words, O God, for they are sweeter than honey on our lips.

 

 

Time of Praise and Worship

One Way

Joel Houston, Jonathan Douglas, © 2003 Joel Houston/Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)

Trust in God

© Brandon Lake Music; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; A Wong Made Write Publishing; Integrity’s Praise! Music

Absolutely

Ian Eskelin, Jon Neufeld, & Tim Neufeld, © 2010 Stonebrook Music Company | Neufeld Publishing | Designer Music Group, Inc. | Honest And Popular Songs (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

 

[Traditional Options]

In Thee Is Gladness

ELW 867; HLC 64; LBW 562; LSB 818; LW 442; UMH 169

Blessed Jesus, At Your Word

EH 440; ELW 520; LBW 248; LSB 904; LW 202; NCH 74; PH 454; UMH 596

 

Invocation

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Lord, we seek understanding and desire to live out Your statutes with our whole hearts.

 

Worshipers

   Guide us, Holy Spirit, to be better witnesses for You. Lead our steps Lord, follow the ways of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Heavenly Father, we gather in Your presence today, seeking Your guidance and strength. As we prepare our hearts to receive Your word, we ask that You fill us with the light of Your truth. Illuminate our hearts and minds so that we may be better witnesses for Christ in this dark world. Empower us with Your wisdom and grace and inspire us to reflect Your love and hope to everyone we encounter.

 

Worshipers

   In the name of God, the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Almighty God, we come before Your throne acknowledging our need to obey Your statutes and decrees.

 

Worshipers

   Forgive us, Lord, when we have strayed from Your commands. Forgive us, Lord, when we have neglected to live out Your teachings as Your witnesses. Help us, Lord, to hold fast to Your commandments in our hearts and to follow them faithfully.

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   You have called us to be wise and understanding, reflecting Your laws in our lives. Teach us to remember Your words and to pass them down to our children. Through Your grace, we are renewed by our merciful and forgiving God.

 

Worshipers

   Thanks be to God! We receive Your forgiveness and commit to living as Your faithful witnesses. Amen.

 

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

First Reading                             Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

It was imperative for the Israelites to obey God’s laws so that they could experience God’s prosperity and in the Promised Land. By teaching these decrees to their children, the Israelites could experience longevity as well.

 Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.