Description
Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus had been performing many miracles but was still being tested and questioned by the Pharisees. Jesus continued to teach his disciples, telling them to be on guard against the Pharisees and Sadducees. And then, at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks a question; “Who do people say I am?” Peter gets it right, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”
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
Cornerstone
Edward Mote, Eric Liljero, Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan, William Batchelder Bradbury, ©2011 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
We Believe
Matthew Hooper, Richie Fike, & Travis Ryan, © Abundant Life Ministries UK (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI)) Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI)) Travis Ryan Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI))
Rise Up O Men of God
Bill Batstone, Buddy Owens, William Henry Walter, William Pierson Merrill, © 1994 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand
BH 75 235; BH 91 351; CHH 273; ELW 652; HFG 555; HLC 201; LBW 365; LSB 645; LW 291; WC 705; WAR 546; WHM 340
Glorious Things of Thee/You Are Spoken
BH 91 398; CH 400; CHH 709; EH 522, 523; ELW 647; HWC 278; HFG 376; HLC 209; HGP 165; LBW 358; LSB 648; LW 294; NCH 307; PH 446; RH 339; STTL 670; WC 694; UMH 731; WAR 598; WHM 35; WIS 308
To Your Temple, Lord, I Come
LSB 981, LW 207
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
King of all the earth, Creator of the universe, Holy Triune God, From everlasting to everlasting, you are Lord.
Worshipers
You are merciful and full of loving-kindness and great compassion; We will rejoice, for your grace, O Lord, has overflowed for us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Thanks and praise to you, Jesus Christ, King and Lord of all, given the name above every other name.
King of righteousness, King of peace, enthroned at the right hand of Majesty on high.
Worshipers
Great high priest, living forever to intercede for us; Pioneer of our salvation, you bring us to glory through your death and resurrection.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Every knee bows to you; every tongue confesses, you are King of kings and Lord of lords, to the glory of God the Father.
Worshipers
Jesus, King and Lord of all, we worship and adore you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth, we gather together in Your name. We come as living sacrifices,
to offer You our worship and thanksgiving, our praise and our prayers. Come among us, living Lord.
Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and minds so that we may recognize Your presence, hear Your voice, know Your will, and walk in Your way. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Merciful God, we confess how easy it is for us to begin to adopt the attitudes and actions of the world around us; to let our lives be shaped by contemporary culture rather than by Your call. Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.
Worshipers
We confess how often we think of our own interests first—more concerned with our own status and well-being than with the well-being of others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that we have not always treated one another as valued members of Your Body, the Church; that we have allowed intolerance and resentment to tear us apart. Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.
Worshipers
We confess that we do not always acknowledge You as Lord, trusting in our own abilities and following our own goals rather than submitting ourselves to Your will and Your call. Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, transform us. Change us from the inside out, so that our words and our lives would bring honor and glory to You, our Savior and Lord.
Worshipers
Have mercy on us 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 51:1-6
The Lord, through the Prophet Isaiah, promises salvation for Zion. He tells them, who are seeking righteousness, to look back at their father, Abraham, and see how he was blessed. He promises comfort and compassion, joy and gladness, thanksgiving and singing. God’s righteousness is near, salvation is on the way! This salvation, this righteousness, will last forever.
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; 2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. 3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. 4 “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. 5 My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
