Description

Mark 7:24-37

When hard pressed on all sides, do you ever wonder what you are doing wrong? Where did things get off track? Do you try to do more ‘reps’ of the right thing? Or do you look at the Father for who He is and what He can do? Today, we get to peek into the life of two different souls, a desperate Gentile mother and a deaf man we assume is Jewish. Both from different backgrounds, both precious in Jesus sight, and both in deep need of immediate healing. As you listen, focus on what each did in the midst of their trying circumstances. In times of great distress may we see our circumstances as opportunities to boldly exercise our faith in Him.

 

  …  We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]

 

Welcome & Time of Greeting 

 

Time of Praise and Worship

The Lord Our God

Jason Ingram | Kristian Stanfill, © 2013 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm, ©2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

What Faith Can Do

Scott Davis & Scott Krippayne, ©2008 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Life Of Rhyme Music Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Pirk Music

 

[Traditional Options]

I Love Your Kingdom, Lord

BH 75 240; BH 91 354; CH  405; EH 524; HWC 280; HFG 545; HLC 203; HGP 168; HSP 189; LBW 368; LSB 651; LW 296; NCH 312; PH 441; RH 330; WC 702; UMH 540; WAR 549; WHM 349; WIS 311

Christ Is Our Cornerstone

LSB 917; LW 290

Lord, Speak to Me, that We May Speak

BH 75 276; BH 91 568; CH 667; ELW 676; HWC 450; HFG 625; HLC 378; HSP 239; LBW 403; NCH 531; PH 426; RH 520; WC 574; UMH 463; WAR 593; WHM 646; WIS 338

  

Invocation

Leader              We gather today as God’s dearly loved chosen people. 

ALL                  In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen!

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

Leader              Faithful God, you have created each of us in Your image. No matter our situation or condition, You love us. You desire us to come to You just as we are. Father, we                                       gather here today to worship Your Holy Name and hear from Your Word. We place our trust in You and not in our circumstances. Help us to walk in faith and love so                                 we may reflect You well. In Jesus’ Name.

ALL                  Amen!

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

ALL                 Father, we confess our unbelief. We come before You just as we are. We confess all we have to offer some days are crumbs of faith. Increase our                           faith in You, God. Keep us in Your perfect peace. Purify our hearts. Fill us with faith to move mountains. In Your name Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Pastor             Increase our faith to entrust all the cares of our hearts to you. Not one of us is more righteous than the next. You are the only perfect one. Let us look to you and not our                             circumstances. Father you reign Holy and we surrender our lives to you.

ALL                  Amen

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

First Reading          Isaiah 35:4-7

Redeemer God will come to save us all. We must stand firm in our faith as we wait for our King to work His divine purposes for our good. His promise to restore all things to new is our Hope in desolate and dark times. The blind will see, the deaf will hear. We must have faith in God over circumstances.

 

say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.