Description
Mark 9:14-29
Jesus encountered a crowd and a man whose son was possessed by a spirit that caused seizures. The disciples had failed to drive out the spirit, so Jesus rebuked the unbelief of the people, cast out the demon, and emphasized the necessity of prayer for such miracles. He taught that some spirits can only be driven out through prayer. Are you trusting in Jesus and the power of prayer to overcome even the most insurmountable challenges?
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, beloved community, to this time of gathering together and worshiping God.
Worshipers
We come with hearts open and ready to give to the Lord our praises.
Time of Praise and Worship
Everlasting God
Brenton Brown & Ken Riley, ©2006 Thankyou Music
Always
Jason Ingram & Kristian Stanfill, ©2010 sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Shoulders
Ben Glover, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Tedd Tjornhom, ©2015 Ariose Music, 9t One Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Kilns Music, Method to the Madness, Shankel Songs, Shankel, Shau, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., WB Music Corp. (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.), R1WAY Music
[Traditional Options]
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
BH 75 382; BH 91 416; CH 539; CHH 576; EH 691; ELW 759; HWC 410; HFG 84; HLC 366; HGP 192; HSP 8; LWB 479; LSB 702; LW 378; PH 383; RH 423; STTL 433; WC 552; UMH 452; WAR 419; WHM 433; WIS 54
Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW 582; LBW 523; LSB 650; LW 164; NCH 59; WC 28
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us center ourselves in prayer.
Worshipers
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious and mighty God, we with humble hearts come before You recognizing our need for Your divine intervention. Just as the Father in Mark 9 sought Jesus for the healing of his son, we too, bring our burdens and cares before You. You taught us that even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains. We ask for Your strength to believe, especially in times of trials and doubts. Increase our faith and help us to trust in your perfect will.
Worshipers
May our lives bear witness to Your transformative power, and may we walk in Your truth and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Almighty God, we come before you, acknowledging our need for your forgiveness and grace.
Worshipers
Lord, have mercy on us and forgive our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that we have doubted Your power and struggled in our faith.
Worshipers
Lord, we confess that we have often doubted Your power and struggled in our faith. We confess that we have allowed fear and despair to overshadow our trust in You. We confess that we have failed to bring our troubles and the troubles of others to You in prayer. Lord, we believe; help our unbelief.
Pastor / Worship Leader
As we turn to You in repentance, grant us Your forgiveness and strengthen us to live as faithful disciples of Christ. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Worshipers
Thanks be to God! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 50:4-10
The prophet spoke of God equipping him with the ability to speak a word of encouragement to the weary. Despite facing opposition and persecution, Isaiah trusted in God’s support, confidently asserting that God would vindicate him against his adversaries.
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment the moths will eat them up.
