Description
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus illustrated the importance of preparedness for His second coming by telling the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five of the virgins were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, but the other five were foolish, running out of oil and missing the arrival of the bridegroom. We should always be ready for Christ’s return by keeping our lamps burning, or in other words, keeping faith alive by maintaining a close relationship with Jesus. He will return one day. Will you be ready?
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome, dear friends. Have you heard the good news? Jesus is coming back!
Worshipers
He is returning, yes, indeed!
Pastor / Worship Leader
We don’t know the day nor the hour, but God does.
Worshipers
We trust the Lord God Almighty.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us join together in one accord and worship the Lord with all that we have in our lungs.
Worshipers
Praise the Lord!
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])
Open Up the Heavens
Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, & Stuart Garrard, ©2012 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Days Of Elijah
Robin Mark, ©1997 Daybreak Music, Ltd.
[Traditional Options]
The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us
LSB 514; LW 176
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
EH 68; ELW 244; HS 98 801; LBW 25; LSB 515; PH 15
Rise, My Soul, To Watch And Pray
LBW 443; LSB 663; LW 302
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Today we seek refuge and find solace in the presence of our gracious God. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, we are Your people. We are joined together under Your banner of love where we worship You, the One and Only God, together in community. May we find joy in the sanctuary of your love, strength in who You are, and may our faith be alive- burning like an oil lamp on fire for You.
Worshipers
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious and merciful God,
Worshipers
We need Your forgiveness and grace.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We admit that we are foolish.
Worshipers
We admit that we are unprepared.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We don’t live our lives as if You are returning. We do our own things and are wrapped up in the worries of this world.
Worshipers
We’ve lost fervency for praying. We’ve lost interest in true worship. We’ve forgotten who we are- Your people. Forgive us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us for the times we’ve been spiritually complacent, careless, and lazy.
Worshipers
Father, grant us the wisdom to be vigilant and prepared. Give us hearts that eagerly desire Your return. Fill us with the oil of Your Holy Spirit.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Your mercy, Lord, we are forgiven. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Amos 5:18-24
Amos warns against empty rituals and greed that lead to destruction. Instead, he speaks to the people reminding them to seek justice, righteousness, and have a true heart of worship.
This is what the Lord says: “As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them. 6 Therefore night will come over you, without visions and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them. 7 The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced.
They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.” 8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. 9 Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; 10 who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. 11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say, “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” 12 Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.
