Description
John 9:1-41
On the Sabbath, Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth. Instead of rejoicing over this miracle, the Pharisees found fault in it and accused Jesus of sinning. The man, however, was forever changed by the Son of God, his Savior. When the Lord works miracles in your life or the life of others, do you rejoice or find suspicion or fault? Do you give thanks and glory to God, or do you complain and grumble about what went wrong?
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
I Am Free
Jon Egan, ©2004 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Our God
Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, & Matt Redman, ©2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) SHOUT! Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Battle Belongs
Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham, © Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Bethel Music Publishing
[Traditional Options]
When To Our World The Savior Came
LSB 551
Hope of the World
BH 75 364; CHH 538; EH 472; HLC 515; LBW 493; LSB 690; LW 377; NCH 46; PH 360; UMH 178; WC 434; UMH 178; WAR 404
Amazing Grace
BH 75 165; BH 91 330; CH 343; CHH 546; EH 671; ELW 779; HWC 202; HPW 33; HFG 107; HCL 288; HGP 206; HSP 186; LBW 448; LSB 744; LSB 744; LW 509; NCH 547; PH 280; RH 230; STTL 85; WC 502; UMH 378; WAR 422; WHM 429; WIS 212
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
How good and pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity!
Worshipers
We gather together to worship the Lord!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving Father, today we ask for Your hand of blessing as we worship You. Grant us Your guidance and endurance to conduct the work that You’ve given us. Help us to rejoice in the work, and not grumble and complain. By Your Holy Spirit, move powerfully now.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, we are ordinary sinners not worthy of forgiveness. Yet, you love us so deeply and gave up Your life for us.
Worshipers
We confess that we are sinners, guilty as charged. But You desired us to be saints, and provided us a way through Your blood sacrifice on the cross. You resurrected and brought us new life through Your provision. We thank You for Your forgiveness! We thank You for Your grace! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 42:14-21
The Israelites were a stubborn and forgetful people, but they belonged to God who loved them and stuck with them even in their sin. The Lord loves us the same and extends His love to us. He blesses the faithful.
For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. 16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 17 They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to metal images, “You are our gods.” 18 Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one or blind as the servant of the Lord? 20 He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear. 21 The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious.