Description
Luke 13:10-17
All churches have traditions and ways of doing things. Most would agree that the longer a church has been in existence, the more steeped they are in their history and tradition. By virtue of this fact, a church can exclude people without recognizing it until it is brought to their attention. As much as we like the word and concept of “family” many church communities can be “families” that create barriers or systems that prevent new people from becoming a part. Also, certain practices, policies, and traditions can exclude people from using their gifts and serving the Lord. In our gospel lesson, Jesus shows us and teaches us that the needs and lives of people come before rules and traditions. As a congregation, can we say without a doubt, that we are a community that is open to all people? And once in, are people embraced? Can people be healed? Are they able to serve and use their gifts for God’s glory? If not, it is time to look at what it means to be the Church—the Body of Christ.
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
Fairest
Glenn Packiam, ©2004 Vertical Worship Songs
Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King
Robert Robinson & Thomas Miller, ©2005 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Integrity’s Praise!
Music)
Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes, ©2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
(*consider altering text from “gladly choose You now” to “gladly serve You now”)
Your Name
Glenn Packiam & Paul Baloche, ©2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
Beautiful Savior
BH 75 48; BH 91 176; CH 87; CHH 97; EH 383; ELW 838; HWC 88; HPW 5; HFG 24-; HLC 67; HGP 34; HSP 41; LBW 518; LSB 537; LW 507; NCH 44; PH 306; RH 47; STTL 152; WC 115; UMH 189; WAR 123; WHM 188; WIS 99
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
Before Your Lord We Bow
ELW 893; LBW401; LSB 966; LW500
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We are here as the Church – the body of Christ, to worship our Lord who is worthy of our adoration and praise, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and loving God, we are delighted to be here today and it is our desire to show our love and gratitude for all you have done in our lives. We are so thankful that you are a God who does not discriminate. You are a God who loves all people unconditionally and accept us all equally. Teach us today what it means to be an inclusive community of believers so that we can reach out to everyone with no distinction and display your unconditional love. May the power of your Holy Spirit and the light of Christ do a mighty work in us as we sing, pray, and hear the word.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor We have been given this time now to do some self-reflection. We need to ask ourselves, “How am I doing inside?” We all have areas of our lives that seek to lead us astray or drive a wedge between us and God. Now is the time to be honest with ourselves and admit our shortcomings, the behaviors, the habits, the actions, the omissions, that have prevented us from being the whole person God desires us to be in Christ. Let’s name those areas now in silence and come to repentance.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
All We confess to you that we have not lived our lives in accordance with your Word and your desires for us. We have only given you a part of us in service and worship and have let the world take our attention away from that which is most important. We have at times put traditions and rituals before you and others in need. Forgive us Lord for making idols of others things and not putting you first. Forgive us Lord for not letting your light take precedence over the darkness of this world.
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ, be confident in the promise from our Lord that your sins are forgiven. This gift of grace is given as an inclusive gift which was made manifest on the cross when Christ shed his blood for the world. As the church, it is our duty to make this message known so that others may come to know him as savior and Lord.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 58:9b-14
Authentic worship was more than practicing rituals, going to the temple everyday, fasting, or listening to the Word being read. The people needed to know that true worship is found in a relationship with God and putting faith into action by serving and helping others.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always;he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruinsand will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. 13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
