Description
John 10:22-30
God knows each of us and says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” God knows each of us by name and knows the number of hairs on our head. God knows us inside and out. Jesus uses the image of the sheep to communicate the reality of knowing his own and they know his voice as the Good Shepherd. This image gives us a picture of God, our Creator, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who knows us and cares about each of us. God searches out His children that each may be found and thereby follow Him.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Great Are You Lord
David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Open Hands Music Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes
(Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Open Up the Heavens
Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, & Stuart Garrard, ©2012 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Because He Lives (Amen)
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, & William J. Gaither, © 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Now All The Vault of Heaven Resounds
ELW 367; LBW 143; LSB 465; LW 131
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
BH 91 456; CH 684; CHH 628; ELW 773; HWC 463; HFG 611; LSB 739; NCH 472; PH 404; RH 562; STTL 102; WC 638; UMH 474; WOV 731; WAR 500; WHM 425
Oh, That I Had A Thousand Voices
ELW 833; LBW 560; LSB 811; LW 448; PH 475
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We are here to worship as we listen to the Word of God and praise his Holy name! May God’s mighty wisdom enter our minds and touch our hearts as we show our gratitude to God for all that He has done in our lives.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and Merciful God, we are so thankful that you revealed yourself to the apostles so that they could record accounts we have in your Word. We not only have your Word to read and study, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to counsel us and give us wisdom. As we engage in worship today through prayer, song, and the Word, help us to be attentive to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Instill in us the love of Christ that we may love one another as he has commanded us. Focus our minds and hearts, so that we will listen to the voice of God who knows each of us so well.
ALL In Jesus Name, we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Gracious God, at this moment, we lay before you our brokenness and sins in our lives. Help us is this time of reflection to acknowledge our condition and bring our sinfulness before you in silence. (Silence)
People We make confession in these areas:
Our reluctance to listen to your voice and wisdom instead of the voices of the world.
Our lack of initiative in asking for help from others, but mostly our unwillingness to ask for your help as our Shepherd to direct our paths.
Our lack of love for one another, knowing you commanded us to abide in you and reach out in love to all people.
Our tendency to rationalize our decisions and behavior, yet when we grasp what you have commanded and see the example of Jesus, we are convicted.
Our focus on the things of the world rather than putting our focus on you – the one, true God and Father of us all.
Forgive us Lord for our disobedience which cannot be hidden from you for you know each of us inside out.
Pastor The voice of God has such power and continues to speak loud and clear today. God sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the dead, so that all our sins are forgiven and we have life forever in heaven. Praise be to God!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 9:36-43
Dorcas had made a tremendous impact on the community through her acts of kindness and charity and was now dead but Peter arrived and prayed,
and she miraculously awoke and was alive.
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
