Description
Series Theme: Surviving THRIVING in a Mixed-Up World
The problems Jesus and His disciples experienced are no different than the problems we face today: family problems, social problems, church problems, relationship problems. Jesus taught His disciples how to rise above the problems of the world and not just survive – but thrive! This series looks at some timeless truths that make the difference between surviving and thriving in the mixed-up world in which we live.
Part 4 Theme: “Fear or Faith? Who Cares?” Mark 4:35-41
Theme: When problems rush in faster than we can process solutions, we PANIC! And someone always flashes that ear-to-ear smile and says “God will never give you more than you can handle.” Really? Has God fallen asleep on the job? That’s what the disciples thought when a sudden storm rocked their world on the Sea of Galilee. When we can’t see God at work in our lives, we’re afraid. But witnessing His power on display can be frightening as well. How do we move from fear to faith? Maybe the answer lies in examining our expectations.
We Lift Our Hearts In Worship
[Pre-service options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Praise You In This Storm
Bernie Herms & Mark Hall, ©2005 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) BanaHama Tunes (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
I Have A Hope
Tommy Walker, ©2007 Doulos Publishing (Admin. by Maranatha Music)
My Life Is In You
Daniel Gardner, ©1986 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
[Traditional Options]
O God, Our Help In Ages Past
BH 75 223; BH91 74; CH 686; CHH 67; EH 680; ELW 632; HWC 52; HPW 52; HFG 370; HLC 48; HGP 15; HSP 32; LBW 320; LSB 733; LW 180; NCH 25; PH 210; RH 81; STTL 95; WC 78; UMH 117; WAR 84; WHM 335; WIS 14
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
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor: Proclaim the power of God, who thunders with a mighty voice.
ALL: Our God – Father, Son, and Spirit – tower of refuge and strength.
One God, mighty to save, mighty in the heavens and the earth.
Pastor: You summon the earth and shine forth from Your throne, You summon Your people and speak forth Your word.
ALL: Your people have gathered to praise Your name.
Shine forth Your word, Mighty God.
OPENING PRAYER: [This prayer is offered as an idea] —
Pastor Lord God, You have been our refuge and tower of strength. You have saved us when we were afraid, and calmed us when we were scared. Teach us not to fear the world, O Lord, but to have faith. Teach us not to fear Your power, O Lord, but to expect it. Give us the faith to live in the shadow of Your mighty power. In Jesus name, Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: Today is about knowing our place and knowing God’s power. Let us confess our sins and surrender our power so that the power of God may be evident in our lives.
Pastor Omnipotent, all-powerful God,
All Forgive us for trusting in the power of people, position, and money. Forgive us for relying on our own strength, rather than on Your power
Pastor Omniscient, all-knowing God,
All Forgive us for our impure motives and thoughts. Forgive us for esteeming our wisdom above Your word.
Pastor Omnipresent, ever with us God,
All Forgive us for thinking we can hide from Your presence. Forgive us for thinking You don’t notice.
Pastor Sovereign God, ruler of everything,
All Forgive us for wanting the last word. Forgive us for not trusting Your timing.
Pastor Merciful, Longsuffering God,
All Forgive us for thinking You don’t care. Forgive us for thinking we don’t matter.
Forgive our iniquity, Father. Teach us to fully rely on You, so that Your power may be made manifest in our lives, and in Your kingdom.
Pastor: It is with great joy that I can announce that your sins are forgiven! Not because I say it, and not because you said some magical words, but because Christ has taken the punishment for what you have just confessed, and God has accepted his sacrifice. Live in that grace. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Job 38:1-11
In this passage, the Lord humbles Job by asking him a series of questions meant to show Job his ignorance. In doing so, we see an expression of God’s mighty power and wisdom. As a result, Job realized that even though he understood God in many ways, he could not assume to know the Lord’s plans and motives.
1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, 9 when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, 10 when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, 11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?
