Description
Matthew 22:15-22
Jesus had been speaking to the people, teaching them in parables, when the Pharisees tried to trap him. They called him teacher and paid him compliments. And then they asked his opinion on taxes. Is it right for the Jews to pay taxes to Caesar? Jesus recognizes this trap and answers in a way that amazes them.
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
Better
Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Pat Barrett © 2018 Capitol CMG Genesis; Capitol CMG Paragon; Housefires Sounds; S. D. G. Publishing; Vamos Publishing
Won’t Stop Now
Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, © 2018 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
You’re Worthy Of My Praise
Daniel Ruis, ©1991 Maranatha Praise, Inc. (Admin. by Maranatha! Music) Shade Tree Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
[Traditional Options]
There Is A Redeemer
CH 308; HWC 206; LSB 971; RH 211; STTL 246; WAR 117
Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
BH75 12,13; BH 91 15, 18; CH 11; CHH 16; EH 686; ELW 807; HS98 876; HWC 2; HPW 4; HFG 318; HLC 28; HGP 9; HSP 16; LBW 499; LWB 686; NCH 459; PH 356; RH 11; STTL 51; WC 45; UMH 400; WAR 68; WHM 30; WIS 62
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The earth has its kings, but God is ruler of all.
Worshipers
Praise God above all, the giver of life!
Pastor / Worship Leader
The mountains may tremble, the oceans may roar.
Worshipers
But God’s presence is more powerful than the earth itself.
Pastor / Worship Leader
O God, show us your glory; we seek your ways.
Worshipers
One God, now and evermore.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving, living God, be among us now. Show us your ways. Guide our steps. Live in us, that we may be people of steadfast hope and powerful giving. Help us hear your words, challenging us to give you all the things that are yours. Help us remember that all we are and all we have are gifts from you, gifts to be shared in service and love. Holy One among us, help us be a holy people who receive your word with joy and live your message with love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Merciful God, You call us to turn away from behaviors and attitudes that belong to the darkness, to live honest and transparent lives as children of the light. We confess the times when we have failed, giving in to our darker thoughts and desires; and acting in ways that did not bring honor to Your name.
Worshipers
Lord, in Your mercy, forgive us. Teach us how to live as children of the light.
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of mercy and truth, we have strayed from you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have disregarded what is holy trying to satisfy ourselves by our own means.
Worshipers
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves: and feel helpless against those who seek to frustrate the hopes of the poor.
Pastor / Worship Leader
O God, who is a God like you, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness?
Worshipers
Lord God; be our refuge and our deliverance; by the presence and power of your Spirit, change us so that we may delight in your desire to do justice, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 45:1-7
The Prophet Isaiah reveals what the Lord says to Cyrus, a pagan king. Cyrus is anointed for the work God has chosen him to do. God did not choose Cyrus because he was the greatest warrior or king- in fact, God has given Cyrus all his victories. And Cyrus is now chosen to do the Lord’s work for Israel, even though Cyrus does not acknowledge God.
“This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: 2 I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. 4 For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.
