Description
Phil. 3: (4b–7) 8–14
As we prepare for Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week, we will ask ourselves: where is our confidence? Seems odd, yet we cannot forget what happens during Holy Week and even daily in our own lives. Do we bind ourselves to Jesus to care for and save us, or do we turn from Him and forget Him. Today may we trust in Jesus, bind our lived to Him, go through Holy Week with Him, and by the power of our Baptisms, return to life with Him on Easter Sunday.
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
Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes, ©2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
(*consider altering text from “gladly choose You now” to “gladly serve You now”)
My Lighthouse
Rend Collective, © 2013 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Ancient Words
Lynn DeShazo, ©2001 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
[Traditional Options]
Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
BH75 12,13; BH 91 15, 18; CH 11; CHH 16; EH 686; ELW 807; HS98 876; HWC 2; HPW 4; HFG 318; HLC 28; HGP 9; HSP 16; LBW 499; LWB 686; NCH 459; PH 356; RH 11; STTL 51; WC 45; UMH 400; WAR 68; WHM 30; WIS 62
Jesus Refuge of the Weary
LSB 423; LBW 93; LW 90
We Sing The Praise of Him Who Died
EH 471; LBW 344; LSB 429; LW 118
Invocation
Pastor Confident in the grace of Jesus Christ, we gather and begin our worship
ALL In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Oh Jesus Christ,
ALL Bless and care for Your people gathered here today.
Pastor You are Lord of Lords!
ALL You are King of Kings!
Pastor Have mercy on Your people,
ALL And bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Depending on your customs, it may be a good time to mention the greeting the father makes in the story today – a welcoming familial embrace. Everyone may not kiss like he would have, but a good point to make anyway!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor We have been redeemed, saved by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, gathered into the one holy church by the Holy Spirit, forever secure in the hands of the Father, yet we so often forget even ignore these things. Jesus calls us to repentance, to return to Him and turn it all over to Him. Let the Lord make us pure once again and love us.
Silence for reflection
Pastor Holy Lord Jesus Christ,
ALL You have given Yourself for us. You have cared for all our needs in this life and the next. Yet we have sinned against You, and the people You have placed in our lives. We confess our sins to You trusting in Your mercy, knowing in our hearts that You will forgive us and lead us to live lives that honor You and bless other in Your name.
Pastor Jesus Christ has saved You, He, even today, is with You caring for Your every need. He speaks these words through me: Your sins are forgiven and You are mine now and forever!
ALL Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 43:16-21
The Lord reminds Israel through the prophet Isaiah who He is and His might. He has preserved Israel and rescued in the past, but He is doing a new thing. Our God does mighty work for us today, we His people.
16Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
