Description

Matthew 18:1-20

Jesus taught about the importance of resolving disputes within the community of believers. He emphasized the importance of addressing conflicts directly and seeking a peaceful resolution.  He promised that when two or three gather in His name, He is present amongst them.  With whom do you need to lovingly resolve conflict?

 

 

…  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 to this place.  The Lord is here!  For where two or more are gathered in His name, He is with them.   

 

Worshipers

   Welcome, Holy Spirit.  Our hearts are yours.

 

Time of Praise and Worship

See A Victory

Ben Fielding, Chris Brown, Jason Ingram, Steven Furtick, © 2019 SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Won’t Stop Now

Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, © 2018 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Holy Spirit Come

Bede Benjamin-Korporaal | Nick Herbert | Patrick Mayberry © 2021 Capitol CMG Genesis; Capitol CMG Paragon; Centricity Songs; Safe and Sound Music; SHOUT MP Carrington; Songs By Bede

 

[Traditional Options]

O That the Lord Would Guide My Ways

ELW 772; LBW 480; LSB 707; LW 392

Lord Jesus Christ Be Present Now

ELW 527; LBW 253; LSB 902; LW201; NCH 324

Lord God, to Thee We Give All Praise

LSB 522

 

 

Invocation

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Where we are holding on,  

 

Worshipers

   Lord, loosen our grip.

 

Pastor/ Worship Leader

   When we want our way,

 

Worshipers

   Lord, open our eyes.

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

  When we are stuck,

 

Worshipers

   Lord, direct us on your path.

 

Pastor/ Worship Leader

   When we don’t know what to do,

 

Worshipers

   Lord, give us understanding.

 

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Lord, teach us Your ways that we may follow it to the end. Give us teachable hearts so that we are quick to listen and obey You. Direct us and turn our eyes away from worthless things that don’t matter. Preserve our lives according to Your good word.

 

Worshipers

   How we long for your precepts! Turn our hearts toward your statutes and not toward selfish gains. We want Your way, Jesus. Show us. Amen.

 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Before going any further, let us confess our sins to Christ, for He died in place and rose from the dead so that we could be freed from sins’ guilt and shame.

 

Worshipers

   We confess that we are a stubborn people, stuck in our own ways and unwilling to change. We confess that we don’t fully follow Your precepts and rely on our own wisdom and thinking to operate. Forgive us, Lord, for we also know that this is not Your desire.

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

  You desire our wholehearted love and devotion. You desire our willing obedience. You desire for us to seek Your face first, ask Your will, and then follow. We cannot do this on our own.

 

Worshipers

  You sent Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to show us the path of righteousness. Your way is higher than ours, and we desire to know it. Forgive us, and help us, for we need You, Lord.

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

  We are forgiven by the blood of the Lamb! We are made new in Christ and are new creations. Wash us clean with Your redeeming blood, Lord. Amen.

 

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

First Reading                             Ezekiel 33:7-9

God called the watchman to remain alert and obey God’s commands. He warned the wicked of their evil ways and urged them to repent.

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.