Description
Luke 6:27-38
In this world, we experience the harrowing presence of greed. But Jesus said to love your enemies, combat cursing with blessing, and to generously offer whatever is stolen from you or coveted by someone else. This kind of selfless living transforms our hearts and combats our sinful nature. Jesus also added to put away judgments and condemnation and instead forgive as we have been forgiven. Do you want to transform the world around you? Live and give as Christ forgives.
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
If We Are The Body
Mark Hall, ©2003 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Who You Say I Am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan, © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Adore
Graham Kendrick / Martin Chalk, © 2015 Common Hymnal Publishing, Common Hymnal Digital, worship together.com Songs, Worship Together Music, sixsteps Music, sixsteps Songs, Vamos Publishing, S.D.G. Publishing (Admin Capitol CMG)
[Traditional Options]
O God, My Faithful God
ELW 806; LBW 504; LSB 696; LW 371; PH 277
What God Ordains Is Always Good
ELW 776; LBW 446; LSB 760; LW 422; NCH 415; PH 284; WC 82
Where Charity and Love Prevail
BH 75 257; EH 581; ELW 359; HS 98 878; LBW 126; LSB 845; NCH 396; UMH 549
Invocation
Pastor Let every breath praise the Lord!
ALL Praise the Lord!
Pastor Praise the Lord, o my soul.
ALL My inmost being, praise the Lord!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Lord, You made Your ways known to Moses. You rescued and redeemed Joseph. You rose from the dead. You are righteous and just and You satisfy us with your bounty. You care about us, even though we are wretched. Regardless, you made a way for us through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
ALL We love you, Lord. Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Wretched are we, full of sin.
ALL May we not forget all Your benefits.
Pastor You forgive our sins and heal our diseases.
ALL From the pit of sin, you have redeemed our lives and crowned us with love and compassion.
Pastor This was accomplished on the cross.
ALL Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Lord.
Pastor Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 45:3-15
Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers who had years before betrayed him and sold him as a slave. God had other plans for Joseph instrumentally using him to provide for his family during a famine.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ 12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” 14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
