Description
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod regarded John the Baptist to be a righteous and holy man and intended to protect him. However, the king made a brash promise that led to John’s execution in order to upkeep the king’s reputation in front of his guests. Later on, we discover Pilate in a similar situation when he finds Jesus innocent, but in order to satisfy the crowd, he concedes and orders the crucifixion of Jesus.
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
House of the Lord
Jonathan Smith | Phil Wickham, © 2020 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Cashagamble Jet Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Build Your Kingdom Here
Rend Collective Experiment, ©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Goodness of God
Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, & Jenn Johnson, © 2018 Alletrop Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Bethel Music Publishing
[Traditional Options]
Sing Praise To God, the Highest Good
ELW 871; LBW 542; LSB 819; LW 452
The Son of God Goes Forth to War
HLC 467; HGP 423; LBW 183; LSB 661; LW 304
The Law of God Is Good and Wise
LSB 579; LW 329
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
These times are dark, so we come seeking the light of the Lord.
Worshipers
Come Lord, Jesus, and do not tarry.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Evil is prevalent, but the Lion of Judah is on the move.
Worshipers
We will not fear the darkness, for the Lord is on our side.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We wait and seek the Lord. We worship the Sovereign and Just God who rules over all the earth.
Worshipers
We worship Jesus Christ, the King of Life, who defeated death and the grave.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Come Lord, Jesus, and do not tarry.
Worshipers
Even so, come Lord Jesus, Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father God, at just the right moment in history, you sent your servant, John the Baptist, with a bold message to repent and be baptized. He lived his life in service to you, and he died a shameful death foreshadowing the coming and death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who would baptize us the Holy Spirit and fire making us brand new. And Jesus defeated death when He left the tomb on the third day, promising to return again one day. So we wait in expectation for the coming of our Lord. Make us ready in our hearts and minds to receive You today.
Worshipers
We open our hearts; we open our hands as we receive You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, our sins are many.
Worshipers
They are too numerous to count, and You know every single one of our sinful accounts.
Pastor / Worship Leader
How did we get this way? How did we stray so far away?
Worshipers
Time has passed and we ask, “How did we forget the commands of our God?”
Pastor / Worship Leader
We hear Your voice, like the one calling from the desert, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!”
Worshipers
Your mercy is great, and we repent. We turn away from our sin and turn our eyes to You, Lord. Everywhere we look, we need You.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We ask for your peace, your transformation, and your restoration.
Worshipers
Come Lord, Jesus, and do not tarry. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Amos 7:7-15
Amos, just a shepherd, was called by God to prophesy to the people of Israel about the coming destruction. These words were not well received, and the priest Amaziah pleaded with Amos to go back to Judah.
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. 8 And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. 9 “The high places of Isaac will be destroyed and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined; with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam.” 10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. 11 For this is what Amos is saying: “‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’” 12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. 13 Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
