Description

Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

Today we hear Jesus present the parable of the prodigal son, a wonderful story of forgiveness and restoration.  We celebrate the first half of the story, the dad welcoming the younger son back into the family, just as we were welcomed by the Father by His grace.  We don’t always take the chance to ponder the second half, to place ourselves in the shoes of the older brother.  Can we accept the truth that God welcomes whoever He chooses into His family?  Are we prepared to celebrate?  May today be a celebration that God loves the whole world and His family is full of younger sons and older sons.

 

 

… 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

Everlasting God

Brenton Brown & Ken Riley, ©2006 Thankyou Music

Holy Spirit

Bryan Torwalt & Katie Torwalt © 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Meet With Me

Lamont Hiebert, ©1999 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

 

[Traditional Options]

God Himself is Present 

LBW 249; LSB 907; LW 206; NCH 68

Jesus Sinners Doth Receive

LBW 291; LSB 609; LW 229

Now the Silence,  Now the Peace

CHH 415; EH 333; ELW 460; HS98 848; LBW 205; LSB 910; UMH 619; WR 700

 

Invocation 

Pastor              Gathered together in this place as the family of God, let us begin in His name. 

ALL                  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

  

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              Holy Father, Almighty Lord,

ALL                 You have welcomed us this day into fellowship with You and one another.  May this time be a celebration of what You have done through Your                           Son Jesus and by Your grace and mercy, a time that prepares us for service in this world.  Amen.

 

Time of Greeting

Depending on your customs, it may be a good time to mention the greeting the father makes in the story today – a welcoming familial embrace.  Everyone may not kiss like he would have, but a good point to make anyway!

  

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor              Like the son who squanders his inheritance, so we often waste what the Lord has given to us, our time, our words, and our actions.  We don’t honor the family to                                      which we have been baptized into.  We don’t bless the world as we have been called.  Instead of running further from the family, let us turn and look towards our                                      Heavenly Father, trusting in His infinite grace and mercy and confessing our sins.

                                                  Silence for reflection 

Pastor              Holy Lord, merciful Father,

ALL                We have not honored you with our lives.  Have mercy on us.  Embrace us and guide us in this life that we may honor you with all we say and do.                           Amen. 

Pastor              See how the Father loves you?  He came to you and has embraced you even in the midst of your confession.  He sent His Son Jesus into the world, to die and rise, that                            you would forever be a part of His family.  In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the                                Son and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL                 Amen!

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading     Isaiah 12:1-6

Those who have been saved and know it proclaim loudly the works of the Lord.  This proclamation from the prophet Isaiah reminds us and shows us the words to sing in response to our salvation through Jesus.

 

14Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.

 

A    This is the Word of the Lord.

C    Thanks be to God.