Description
John 6:35, 41-51
In this passage Jesus is speaking to the Jews near the time of the Passover. Initially He starts by comparing Himself to the manna from heaven that the Israelites survived on during the Exodus story. But, He doesn’t just say that He himself as an individual person is manna, but actually says that it is His flesh, the meat on His bones, and that is the bread of life from heaven. The context of the Passover tradition has been turned completely upside down. And pushing the envelope even further He adds that unless you eat His flesh and drink His blood, you have no life in you. In other words, you won’t see eternal life. He is intentionally using language that will pull his listeners away from their cultural memory of manna from heaven into a completely different territory. Jesus shifts the narrative of mana from being about God’s provision, to being about God’s presence as the Bread of Life; from the blessing to the One who blesses. In other words, Christ doesn’t just give life, He is Our Life. So when Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life,” it is actually not as mysterious or enigmatic as it sounds. Unlike the food that merely sustains our physical body, this food should transform and absorb us. We need more than a touch from Jesus; we must have Jesus Himself.
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! Whether you are a regular attendee, or this is your first time with us, we wanted to make sure you know how much we appreciate you joining for worship today here at (NAME OF CHURCH)!
Time of Praise and Worship
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin, John Newton, & Louie Giglio, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
Chris Tomlin | Fanny Jane Crosby | Matt Redman | Robert S. Lowry, © 2008 Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
What a Beautiful Name
Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood, © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Just As I Am
BH 75 186,187; BH 91 303,307; CH 488; CHH 339; EH 693; ELW 592; HWC 342; HPW 40; HFG 417; HLC 260; HGP 221; HSP 300; LBW 296; LSB 570; LW 359; NCH 207; PH 370; RH 275; STTL 343; WC 445; UMH 357; WAR 354; WHM 497; WIS 232
Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens
LSB 589; LW 339
Come Unto Me Ye Weary
LSB 684; LW 345
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Be with us, Lord, as we are gathered here to worship You. Help us not to check our minds or our hearts at the door, but enable us to bring all that we are to You, so that we might experience Your touch upon all aspects of our life. We pray this because of, and in the name of Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, You are the bread of heaven, giving life to the world. You fill our emptiness with Your goodness. You come to our weakness with Your strength. God of hope, when Your hungry people longed for the slave food of Egypt, You opened the doors of heaven and rained down manna. Feed us today with the bread of life that we may taste the freedom of eternal life and lead lives worthy of our calling.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
There are many ways to be unfaithful to who we have become in Christ, to our commitment and our obedience to God. We offer God now our prayers of repentance. We confess to You, living God, our failure to live as brothers and sisters, and as your children.
Worshipers
We confess to You, loving God, that we have not loved You as You have loved us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess to You, gracious God, that we have doubted Your word and failed to obey its teaching.
Worshipers
We confess to You, merciful God, our desire to own You and contain You within our doctrines and theologies.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess to You, almighty God, that we have not acknowledged You as Lord of all the earth and of our lives.
Worshipers
Forgive us and redeem us for we have not allowed Your presence to shine among us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
There are many ways in which we have failed in our commitment and obedience to our fellow men and women.
Worshipers
We turn towards You and offer our prayers of repentance. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 1 Kings 19:4-8
Elijah was on the run from Jezebel, who had threatened to kill him since he killed many of her false prophets. Even the great prophet Elijah, like many of us, became afraid and sunk into despair in the face of great danger and persecution. But God provided for him the hope and sustenance he needed to carry on.
4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
