Description
Luke 12:32-40
God has made a multitude of promises to us and it is His good pleasure to keep them. There are more than we can speak of here. Here are some of the most significant promises: God has promised to supply every need we have. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. God promises a way out when it comes to temptation. God has promised us victory over death. God has promised plans for each of us. God has promised salvation and eternal life for those who believe. In our gospel lesson, we are all reminded to not be afraid for it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. What a promise that is!
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
Victor’s Crown
Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton, & Kari Jobe, © Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sound Of The New Breed (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) EWI (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Jesus Son of God
Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, & Matt Maher, ©2012 Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC), Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, & Michael Bleecker, © 2009 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
[Traditional Options]
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
BH 75 37; BH 91 8; CH 151; CHH 65; EH 687,688; ELW 503,504; HWC 26; HPW 18; HFG 118; HLC 11; HGP 10; HSP 31; LBW 228,229; LSB 656,6577; LW 296,297; NCH 439,440; PH 259,260; RH 17; STTL 30; WC 43; UMH 110; WAR 507; WHM 13; WIS 4
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing
BH 75 123; EH 205; ELW 385; HLC 170; LBW 144; LSB 475; LW 129; PH 111; RS 586; WC 255; WAR 307
Lift High The Cross
BH 91 594; CH 450; CHH 108; EH 473; ELW 660; HWC 304; HLC 141; LBW 377; LSB 837; LW 311; NCH 198; PH 371; STTL 237; WC 229; UMH 159; WAR 28; WHM 221
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We are here together to worship and celebrate the promises God has made!
People Yes, we praise God for keeping all His promises and giving us the kingdom!
Pastor Let’s not let fear stand in the way of receiving God’s eternal gifts.
ALL Let’s worship now in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, as we live out our lives, we often forget to embrace the many promises You have made to us. In the midst of our challenges and struggles in life, increase our faith in the truth that You always keep Your promises. In Your Word, we see time and time again that You always come through according to Your timing. We ask that You take away our fear and doubt and replace it with faith and courage. We know that it is Your good pleasure to give to us the kingdom and we know that this is a life-giving gift. We thank You and praise You for Your many promises. As we hear Your Word today, speak to us in a powerful way so that we can take that message into the world.
ALL In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor Merciful God, We believe that You always keep your Word, yet our fears and doubts prevent us from living out that truth. Even though we believe in Your constant promise to forgive, we still refrain from admitting the sins we have committed in our lives. In humility, we lay our sins before You:
People We have not obeyed You even when You have spoken clearly to us. .
We have not had faith in Your promise to provide when we are in need.
We have listened to our own selfish desires in order to serve our own agendas.
We have had self-righteous attitudes and looked down on others.
We have made money and possessions into idols instead of putting You first.
We have not been examples of Christ’s love to our neighbors.
We have followed the world’s views instead of following Christ.
Forgive us, Lord, for these sins, as well as those we name before You now in silence:
(take a moment for self-examination)
Pastor Lord God, You have assured us that we are forgiven and made new through the blood of Jesus Christ. We give You thanks for giving us this awesome gift of grace. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 15:1-6
Abraham was filled with despair since he had no heirs, yet God promised Abraham many descendants and Abraham’s despair turned into faith.
We know that God kept His promise.
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” 2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
