Description
Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus told the Parable of the Bags of Gold where a master entrusted different sums of money to his servants. The servants who wisely invested their money were rewarded, but the servant who buried his talents out of fear was condemned. We, like the servants, are called to use the gifts and resources God has given us wisely and actively for His kingdom. Doing so allows us to live by faith rather than fear and leads us in spiritually growing and glorifying God with all that we have. How are you living your life today?
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 Church to a day granted to us by the Lord! God is our dwelling place and His Spirit dwells in us.
Worshipers
From everlasting to everlasting, He is our God!
(Worshipers greet one another.)
Time of Praise and Worship
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, ©2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, SHOUT! Publishing (Admin EMI CMG Publishing)
Your Grace Is Enough
Matt Maher, ©2003 Spiritandsong.com; Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Way Maker
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, © 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
The Day is Surely Drawing Near
LBW 321; LSB 508; LW 462
Rise, My Soul, To Watch And Pray
LBW 443; LSB 663; LW 302
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
BH 75 233; BH 91 637; CH 797; CHH 718; EH 290; ELW 693; HWC 559; HFG 392; HLC 565; HGP 490; HSP 327; LBW 407; LSB 892, LW 495; NCH 422; PH 551; RH 718; STTL 765; WC 281; UMH 694; WAR 721; WHM 89; WIS 87
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Just as the master entrusted his servants with talents in the Parable of the Bags of Gold, the Lord has entrusted each of us with unique gifts and abilities. So, let us be faithful to the Lord through our wise stewardship of the talents He’s given us, devoted in our worship, and bold in stepping out in faith to share the Good News with the world.
Worshipers
We seek the Lord’s direction, guidance, and way.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, help us to be faithful and diligent servants of Your gifts. We know that one day we will give an account of how we used them. We pray that this time together would be honoring and glorifying unto You. May we be fruitful and strong for Your Kingdom.
Worshipers
In the name of Jesus, we ask and pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let’s go before the Lord with humble hearts and confess our sins to Him. He is faithful and just and will forgive us.
Worshipers
Lord, we confess that we have been unwise in how we handle all the many blessings, gifts, and talents You’ve provided. We admit that we are fearful and complacent and have held back from using our abilities to their fullest potential, relying on our own strengths rather than Yours. Forgive us, Lord, for failing to invest our talents in ways that honor You.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Thank You for Your boundless grace and forgiveness as demonstrated in the Parable of the Talents. Just as the master forgave the servant, You forgive us and offer us a fresh start. Empower us, Holy Spirit, to be bold and faithful stewards.
Worshipers
In the name of Jesus, our living Redeemer, we receive His forgiveness. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Zephaniah 1:7-16
The prophet Zephaniah warns of the coming “Day of the Lord” where God’s judgment and wrath will be unleashed. Those who have turned away from God will experience devastation and desolation on their land due to idolatry and wickedness.
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited. 8 “On the day of the Lord’s sacrifice I will punish the officials and the king’s sons and all those clad in foreign clothes. 9 On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold, who fill the temple of their gods with violence and deceit.10 “On that day,” declares the Lord, “a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills. 11 Wail, you who live in the market district; all your merchants will be wiped out, all who trade with silver will be destroyed. 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.’ 13 Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, they will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.” 14 The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. 15 That day will be a day of wrath— a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness— 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.
