Description
John 6:51-58
Once again we are faced with a Gospel text that deals with bread and eating. But once again, this is not simply a repetition of the last two Sunday texts. John is still exploring the truth revealed when Jesus fed the multitude, and is drawing us deeper into the meaning of that revelation. The scene occurs in a synagogue in Capernaum. As is typical in John, one finds an intra-Jewish, often antagonistic, debate about how Jesus relates to the parent tradition. In this case, the contest is between Moses and Jesus and the subject has to do with who’s eating what and toward what end. Verse 56 uses an unusual word for eating, trogo (the usual word is esthio), whose connotation is crunching or gnawing — the kind of thing one does when eating a turkey leg at the fair, or maybe quail in the wilderness. Jesus’ provocative sounding statement had a really clear point – Jesus was telling them that the only way to eternal satisfaction is to feed on the Bread of Life, in other words, to believe in Jesus and his word. He speaks of his flesh and blood to drive home the point that he wants each of you to be a complete partaker in all that He is and all that He’s done on Calvary’s cross and Easter’s empty tomb. Believing in Jesus as Savior means receiving all his gifts – forgiveness, life, and salvation.
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
Thank you for joining us this morning! Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Time of Praise and Worship
You Are The Way
Ben Smith | Daniel Bashta | Pat Barrett, © Heritage Worship Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Go Forth Sounds (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing) Bread & Wine Sounds (Admin. by Watershed Music Publishing)
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)
[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
Holy God, Creator of Life, you call us out of our dark places, offering us the grace of new life. When we see nothing but hopelessness, you surprise us with the breath of your spirit. Call us out of our complacency and routines, set us free from our self-imposed bonds, and fill us with your spirit of life, compassion, and peace, In the name of Jesus, your anointed one, we pray.
Worshipers
Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of our hopes and dreams, we are empty, and long to be filled; we are hungry, and long to be fed; we are lost, and long to be found. Gather us into your love, and pick up the pieces of our lives, just as Jesus gathered up the fragments of the five loaves and two fish that remained after feeding the five thousand. Call us anew to eat our fill and to find our true nourishment in Jesus, the bread of heaven.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving God, present and near. You are beyond our words and our understanding. Help us to remember that You are at once infinite, boundless, timeless, and eternal but, at the same time intimately entwined with our lives. You are with us no matter where we find ourselves. When we have forgotten You,
Worshipers
Lord, have mercy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
When we have failed to speak words of love,
Worshipers
Lord, have mercy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
When we have neglected the need of another,
Worshipers
Lord, have mercy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving God, present and near help us to recognize Your presence and nearness with us as we seek to follow you in our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom is pictured here as a woman who has constructed a building and set up food and drink and sends out an open invitation to come and partake of what she is offering. When we need wisdom, we need only ask.
Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
