Description
Luke 13:31-35
Living in this world is challenging. We all know it is not easy and it is especially hard at certain times in our lives. We can easily get discouraged and want to give up during the race of life. Sometimes it is people who put up barriers in our way. The Bible is filled with stories and examples of people just like us who felt the same way. We see that strength, courage, faith, and hope came to those people from God and they were able to keep on keeping on! Jesus had a mission to fulfill and there were even some who tried hard to keep Jesus from staying on course. He knew that his mission was from God, the Father, and it would change the world forever. Nothing would get in the way of fulfilling the plan of salvation for humanity.
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
What Faith Can Do
Scott Davis & Scott Krippayne, ©2008 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Life Of Rhyme Music Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Pirk Music
Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)
Chase Jenkins, Dan Hamilton, Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Taylor Johnson, & Tedd Tjornhom, ©2007 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Meaux Hits (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Tedasia Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
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)
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin, John Newton, & Louie Giglio, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
BH 75 382; BH 91 416; CH 539; CHH 576; EH 691; ELW 759; HWC 410; HFG 84; HLC 366; HGP 192; HSP 8; LWB 479; LSB 702; LW 378; PH 383; RH 423; STTL 433; WC 552; UMH 452; WAR 419; WHM 433; WIS 54
I Trust, O Christ, In You Alone
LBW 395; LSB 972; LW 357
Fight the Good Fight
BH 75 394; EH 552,553; HFG 613; HLC 469; HSP 163; LBW 461; LSB 664; LW 299; PH 307
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor It is the season of Lent, the season of Springtime, a season of growth! We are here on the journey with Jesus – walking with him through the experiences of life.
ALL As Jesus showed us, let us go forward with perseverance so that we too, can fulfill the mission before us and serve Christ by staying on course. We have confidence in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious God, we know that the journey is long and the cross is heavy. At times we want to give up. We find ourselves getting weary of the responsibilities and burdens in life, especially when we endure pain and discomfort. Our greatest source of comfort and peace comes from knowing that you walk with us, hold us, and carry us along the way. Jesus said, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What beautiful words from the one who took the treacherous path to the cross for us. Thank you God, for loving us so much, you were willing to sacrifice your Son for us.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Loving God, we know that you always keep your promises, one before your promise to forgive. Even though we believe this truth, we still are reluctant to pour out our hearts to you and confess the wrongs we have committed in our lives. Today, we come before you in honesty to communicate our sins to you.
People We have had hard hearts and stubborn attitudes rather than letting you rule our lives. .
We have not displayed acts of mercy and love when called for.
We have bent the truth to serve our own purposes.
We have been slow to apologize and quick to condemn in some situations.
We have coveted things we do not need and been envious of what others have.
We have refrained from serving, yet demanded service from others.
We have followed the world instead of following Christ.ng us it would be like trying to count the stars. Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
God promised Abram descendants so numero
Forgive us Lord for these particular sins and those we name before you now in silence:
(take a moment for self-examination)
Pastor It is with great relief and joy that I can say, all our sins are forgiven. Praise God! Help us now to continue our Lenten journey and follow Jesus in all our thoughts, words, and deeds, Amen
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4 But the word of the LORD came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5 He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 Then he said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him…17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.
