Description
Matthew 18:15-20
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
[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 33:7-11
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. 8 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 their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 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. 10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’
