Description
Mark 7: 14-23
Jesus had a way of seeing straight through to the heart of a matter. While the Pharisees and teachers of the law were determined to get to the bottom of why their traditions were not being followed, Jesus was more concerned with getting to the root of their hearts. God desires worshipers to come to Him in spirit and in truth. He is not interested in our vain practices or rote adherence to manmade rules. God desires our honest, thoughtful, heartfelt praise. He is drawing us to return to the heart of worship and His commands. Jesus is drawing us near. He desires our whole hearts over traditions.
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
One Way
Joel Houston, Jonathan Douglas, © 2003 Joel Houston/Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)
Build My Life
Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Elizabeth Kaple, Matt Redman, and Pat Barrett © 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew, Kaple Music, Capitol CMG Genesis, Housefires Sounds, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, worshiptogether.com songs, Bethel Music Publishing
Absolutely
Ian Eskelin, Jon Neufeld, & Tim Neufeld, © 2010 Stonebrook Music Company | Neufeld Publishing | Designer Music Group, Inc. | Honest And Popular Songs (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
In Thee Is Gladness
ELW 867; HLC 64; LBW 562; LSB 818; LW 442; UMH 169
Blessed Jesus, At Your Word
EH 440; ELW 520; LBW 248; LSB 904; LW 202; NCH 74; PH 454; UMH 596
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We gather together as one body in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!
ALL Amen!
Pastor We gather to be renewed in our mind, body, soul, and spirit in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
ALL Amen!
Pastor We gather to receive hope in our great time of need in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!
ALL We gather to thank you for your Great Love. We ask for deep revelation of your intimate love for each of us today in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, you are Alpha and Omega. You are Redeemer. You are the Prince of Peace. We come humbly before you in awe of your great sacrifice on the Cross. We remember your Great Love for us.
ALL We ask that You draw our hearts closer to You today. Prepare us now to receive Your Word. We long to know you more. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Our Gospel reading for today recounts for us the hypocritical practices of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The unwashed hands or food was not making them unclean. Their ceremonial customs and evil practices were destroying them from the inside out. They honored Him with their lips, but their hearts could not be further from knowing their Lord. Jesus was inviting them to see a new path to freedom. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He invites us all to share in the freedom that comes when we align our hearts and practices with the truth of God’s Word.
ALL Father, we need your help. We confess all too often we honor You with our lips, but our actions speak differently. We have not listened to Your warning to keep our hearts clean. Show us our heart’s true devotion. Give us Your eyes to see where we have let go of the commands in Your Word. We want to honor your Holy Name. Amen.
Pastor Jesus Christ our Lord died for our sins. He has ransomed us. He has paid the price. He has forgiven all inequity. He has won over death. You are forgiven in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May we return with glad and whole hearts to our Father who waits with open arms to receive us in our great time of need.
ALL AMEN!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Father God instructs His children of Israel to follow His commands, so they may live blameless and holy lives. God’s heart was to offer mercy, grace, and perfect justice. His laws reflected His character not the people’s. Because of His great love, God desired the offering of pure and obedient hearts more than ritualistic sacrifices. Ultimately, God does not rule like humans.
Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
P This is the Word of the Lord
C Thanks be to God.
