Description

2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1

This life is full of uncertainties.  While sometimes that can be a fun part of life, most of the time it’s a cause of worry and stress.  What will happen next?  What can and will go wrong?  What new medical issue will pop up?  What’s my job status really?  Today in our Epistle reading, Paul compares this life to living in a tent.  What keeps us moving forward as God’s faithful people is the hope for our eternal home in heaven: a building not made by hands – permanent, solid, sure.  The problems of this life are fleeting and should be turned over to Jesus.  We live as hopeful people, alive and joyful as God’s people.

 

… 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

Promises

Jared Anderson, ©2006 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)

Nothing Is Impossible

Jonathan Hunt © 2008 Planet Shakers Ministries Int. Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Everyday

Joel Houston, ©1999 Joel Houston / Hillsong Publishing

[Traditional Options]

Jesus, Priceless Treasure      

CH 623; ELW 775; HWC 413; HFG 277; LBW 457,458; LSB 743; LW 270; NCH 480; PH 365; WC 119; UMH 532; WAR 431

If You Will Trust In God To Guide You

BH 75 203; BH 91 57; CHH 565; EH 635; ELW 769; HWC 600; HFG 605; HLC 420; LBW 453; LSB 750, NCH 410; PH 282; WC 636; UMH 142; WAR 429; WHM 604

In Thee Is Gladness

ELW 867; HLC 64; LBW 552; LSB 818; LW 442; UMH 169

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

 Pastor              We begin this most holy day in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

ALL                  Amen! 

 

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              Almighty God, as we, Your people, gather this day in Your name, we pray Your presence and blessings upon us.          

ALL                  Come among us Lord.  We praise you for your boundless love and thank You for all the mighty works You have done. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.   

 

Time of Greeting 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor              Today in our Old Testament lesson we are reminded of the first moments after sin entered the world.  We have joined Adam and Eve in turning against God and                                         following others.  Now in the presence of God, we know we cannot hide like Adam and Eve attempted to.  Instead let us turn to our God and trust in His mercy.

Moment of silence

Pastor              Some words from Psalm 130.

Men                  Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!

Women            O Lord, hear my voice!

Men                  Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

Women            If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

ALL                  But with you there is forgiveness,  that you may be feared.

                          Lord God, forgive us, Your people, and renew our spirits in Your name.  Amen.

Pastor            Our Lord God has had mercy on us.  By His great love He has sacrificed His son for You, that you would live.  Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of                                  the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL                  Amen!

  

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture] 

First Reading          Genesis 3:8–15

Today we find Adam and Eve hiding from the Lord because of their sin.  Adam passes blame to Eve, Eve to the serpent and we hear the Lord’s first prophecy leading to our salvation – a man shall bruise Satan’s head.  One day Jesus would destroy the power of Satan by His cross.

 

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”