Description

Mark 10:17-22 

It has been said that if you look at a person’s checking account and examine where the money has been spent, it will say something about the person’s priorities and value system. If we examined our own financial budget and spending habits, would we be satisfied with how we are using what we have been given? There is earthly treasure and there is heavenly treasure. Money, time, and talents can be used for earthly treasure as well as heavenly treasure. What do we value the most? The answer will determine whether our greatest treasure is on earth or whether it is in heaven. We have opportunities everyday to affect lives for eternity rather than just dwelling on the temporal, that which will not last.  Randy Alcorn has written a little book titled “The Treasure Principle.” The main thesis of his book is this: “You can’t take it with you but you can send it on ahead.” As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to live for eternity, where our greatest treasure resides, our home forever.

 

… 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

Beautiful News

Matt Redman, ©2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

My Savior Lives

Glenn Packiam & Jon Egan, ©2006 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. By Integrity Music, Inc.)

Say Say

Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, & Kristian Stanfill, ©2010 sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

 

[Traditional Options]

The King Shall Come  

EH 73; ELW 260; HLC 181; LBW 33; LSB 348; LW 26; RS 497; WC 277

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

BH 75 58; BH 91 208; CH 648; CHH 517; EH 657; ELW 631; HWC 92; HFG 21; HLC 5; HGP 3; HSP 24; LBW 315; LSB 700; LW 286; NCH 43; PH 376; RH 34; STTL 507; WC 558; UMH 384; WHM 94; WIS 16

Seek Ye First

BH 91 478; CH 713; CHH 354; EH 711; HWC 42; LSB 712; PH 333; RH 601; STTL 90; WC 447; UMH 405;

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor              Gracious God, you have given us a hopeful life here on earth filled with promises for the future, and the special promise is eternal life, our greatest treasure 

ALL                  Amen!

 

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              Almighty God, it is so easy to focus on the temporal things of life and lose sight of what our eternal treasures are. Help us to evaluate our lives often to see if we are                                    constantly focusing on things which have no eternal value. Give us wisdom and insight so that we devote our time and energy to areas that are pleasing to you and                                      have eternal significance. It is so apparent that when we put you first in our lives, you accomplish incredible work through us as your servants. Order our lives so that                                we are wise stewards of our time and resources. 

ALL                  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen. 

  

Time of Greeting

  

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

All                    God of truth and mercy, we worship you and give thanks for all that you have done for us. We confess that our aims in life have spun out of                                     control and we neglect to put you first. We confess that many times we put our worldly priorities over yours and neglect that which has eternal                             value. Through our gospel reading today, we see that treasure in heaven is the greatest treasure we can possess and that our relationship with                               Jesus Christ must be our highest priority. We find ourselves plagued by distractions and temptations on a daily basis and we give in and commit                           sins for which we need forgiveness. We have not made you the Lord of our lives. Please forgive us for allowing our worldly ambitions and                                         desires get in the way.

(silence for personal reflection and confession) 

Pastor            What a comfort and source of relief to know that our sins are forgiven and never remembered by God again. In this time of confession we are able to repair the broken                              relationship that is caused by sin. It is a treasure, an eternal gift, to know that we are restored and our sins are forgiven!

  

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 

This passage speaks about the legal and social system.  Some people are exploited and treated unfairly.  We need to seek the Lord’s help and guidance in decisions regarding justice.

 

Seek the Lord and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them,
and Bethel will have no one to quench it. 7 There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.

 

10 There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. 11 You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. 12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. 13 Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil. 14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. 15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.