Description

John 6:24-35

Jesus performed many “miracles,” “signs” and “wonders.”  Some were out of compassion; some were meant to bring people to repentance and faith; all of them were to bring glory to the Father and show who He was: God’s one and only Son, the long-awaited Messiah, proving His divinity.  But Jesus’ signs also pointed to a deeper truth, not just to show power and identity.

Today’s Gospel has people rowing 4 miles to get in line for more food. But Jesus says they missed the whole point of His miracle.  What about you?  Are you missing the point of the “God-signs” in your life?  Using Jesus’ words to them let’s look for the deeper truths about God-signs today, and no longer be confused about His miracles in our own lives!

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor              We make our beginning in the name of the one true God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 ALL                  Lord God, we have come to worship You in spirit and in truth!  You are the only God and You are our God!  Amen! 

Prayer Opening

 

Pastor              Heavenly Father, we come to You this day as Your hungry children; hungry for You and for Your Word.  Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit please feed us this                                 day.  For you are the Bread of Life. You alone are our very sustenance.  You alone are the very food that our souls long for as Your children. Bread of life, bread of                                        heaven, feed us now. 

ALL                  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Time of Greeting One Another

 

Time of Praise and Worship

Awakening

Chris Tomlin & Reuben Morgan, ©2010 worshiptogether.com Songs/sixsteps Music / Vamos Publishing / Hillsong Publishing (ASCAP) (admin by EMI CMG Publishing)

Friend Of God

Israel Houghton & Michael Gungor, ©2003 Integrity’s Praise!  Music/Vertical Worship Songs

Majestic

                                                                                            Lincoln Brewster, ©2005 Integrity’s Praise! Music

[Traditional Options]

Lift High The Cross

BH 91 594; CH 450; CHH 108; EH 473; ELW 660; HWC 304; HLC 141; LBW 377; LSB 837; LW 311; NCH 198; PH 371; STTL 237; WC 229; UMH 159; WAR 28; WHM 22

Christ, the Word of God Incarnate

LSB 540

O Day of Rest and Gladness

ELW 521; HFG 12; HLC 549; LBW 251; LSB 906; LW 203

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message – SPECIAL NOTE: Today’s Confession and Forgiveness would fit very well just before communion this week]           

Pastor              Let us confess our sins and our sinfulness:

(A quiet moment to seek God’s presence and truth in our hearts

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”  John 4:24)

Pastor              Father, like the Israelites did after their rescue from the Egyptians, grumbling that they had more meat to eat under slavery than under freedom,

ALL                  So we confess that we, who have been freed from slavery to sin, often look back over our shoulders grumbling, as though we’re missing out on something special.

Pastor              You have done so many miracles in our lives, granted health, safety and security,

ALL                  That we have treated lightly the greatest miracle of all: making us who were “dead in transgressions and sins” alive again and bringing us to faith in Christ. 

Pastor:             We have hungered more for earthly things like food and money which take care of us for a day that we don’t hunger for the bread and water of life that lasts for an eternity. 

ALL                  Forgive us, guide us, and lead us, O God of Grace, and God of glory…

(personal silent confession)

 

Pastor:             It’s true.  We’ve cared more about what God can DO for us than WHO He is.  We’ve focused our eyes on what is seen instead of the deeper truths behind the sign.                                        Fortunately, through Christ, God forgives us all our sins and gives us this great promise: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who                              believes in me will never be thirsty.”  He does not say, “He who comes without sin…” or “He who believes, having first cleaned himself up…” He just says COME.                                          That’s because through His body, broken and crushed under God’s wrath in your place, and His blood, shed instead of yours on the cross your sins have been wholly                                 forgiven.  In the Name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.