Description
John 6:56-69
Jesus said stuff that caused hearers to stop, ponder, shake their heads, and question. He used a technique called “hyperbole” to get his points across. Sometimes he would overstate a point with stark “in your face” statements that would certainly get the attention of his recipients. In our Gospel today, he said this: 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” Eating his flesh and drinking his blood was not what they had in mind but that is precisely what he has in mind for in this eating and drinking is LIFE. Hard words to swallow but they come from he who gives life.
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
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Indescribable
Laura Story, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Gleaning Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Hungry
Kathryn Scott ©1999 Vineyard Music (UK/Eire)
[Traditional Options]
Blessed Jesus, At Your Word
EH 440; ELW 520; LBW 248; LSB 904; NCH 74; PH 454; UMH 596
O Christ, You Walked The Road
LSB 424
Come Unto Me Ye Weary
LSB 684; LW 345
Invocation
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor We have assembled together to worship God who desires that we come to him always in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. .
ALL With gratitude in our hearts, we are here to give praise to God and listen to His Word.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Mighty God and Father, you loved us so much that you sacrificed your son, Jesus Christ, by allowing him to die on a cross. The image of the cross is forever etched on our hearts and through your son, you have called us to deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Jesus. The words from Jesus to the hearers at his time still apply to us today. They are hard words to swallow, yet they give us profound understanding of who Jesus is. We are commanded to “eat the body and drink the blood” as an act of surrender and faith. This produces transformation through a power like no other. Jesus, the bread of life, gives us hope in a world that can seem rather hopeless. Thank you for the cross and all that it means for our daily lives.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: We take this moment to look within our lives and confess our sins.
People: We confess that our human inclinations create a barrier for change. It is apparent to us that there are areas of our lives that need change but our pride and desire to control overshadows our desire to change. We admit that the temptations of this world often lead us to behaviors that are not consistent with your Word.
We confess that we have attempted to control and work out things ourselves, rather than come to you, when faced with problems and challenges in our lives. We have not embraced the bread of life, Jesus, when faced with situations in life and have not relied on our faith. We confess that we have not put on the armor of God to protect us from the evil one who lurks around every corner and our sins have gotten the best of us.
We confess that we have kept the saving message of Jesus Christ to ourselves and have missed many opportunities to impact the lives of others. Help us to be more consistent in living out our faith and arming ourselves with the weapons of warfare such as prayer, the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God’s will. We know that God has power to heal, restore, and change lives. Help us to deny ourselves and embrace the power of the cross.
(silence for personal confession)
With all these confessions, we are deeply sorry and ask for your forgiveness.
Pastor: By Christ’s authority and power as well as my calling as an ordained servant of Christ, your sins are forgiven. You are cleansed and made new again!
ALL Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Joshua 24:1-2a; 14-18
Joshua call all the tribes of Israel together told them to fear the Lord and not serve the gods of their ancestors.
Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.
14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! 17 It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.”
