Description
John 21:1-19
Our Lord never said it would be easy to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It takes hard work, persistence, patience, and an unwavering faith. We do know that Jesus instructed his disciples to shake the dust of their feet and move on if there is no interest in the Good News. When you go fishing, you have to wait and see and you often need to go to another location. Jesus had the disciples cast the net on the right side of the boat and an abundance of fish were there. In the same way, when it comes to fishing for people and reaching out to them with the gospel of Jesus Christ, sooner or later, there will be a favorable response. In essence, Jesus is telling us to keep on keeping on!
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
Overcome
Jon Egan, © 2007 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Greater
Barry Graul, Bart Millar, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer, ©2014 D Soul Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) 9t One Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Ariose Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) MercyMe Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Wet As A Fish Music
This is Amazing Grace
Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, & Phil Wickham, ©2012 Bethel Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Warner Chappell Music (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
[Traditional Options]
Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
BH75 391; BH91 485; CH 730; CHH 613; EH 561; HWC 477; HFG 616; HLC 466; HGP 412; HSP 157; LBW 389; LSB 660; LW 305; RH 618; STTL 646; WC 663; UMH 514; WAR 513; WHM 596; WIS 320
Alleluia! Let Praises Ring
LSB 822; LW 437
He’s Risen, He’s Risen
LSB 480; LW 138
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We come together in faith to worship God, our Father, the creator of the heavens and the earth.
ALL We come together in faith to lift up Jesus who fulfilled the Word of God and brought Good News.
Pastor We come together in faith to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit who equips us to share the live-saving news.
ALL We come together in hope believing that at the end of life’s journey, a great prize awaits us. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor God of Love and Grace, it is a joy to be here to worship you and raise our voices in praise to the name above all names. You are one who gives us hope in the midst of a world that gives us messages of hopelessness. Give us the strength, willingness, and persistence to share the Gospel with those we meet, that they will see the light of Christ in us. Through faith, we know that you are able to do in us far beyond anything we could ask or imagine because of your power. You have showed us in so many ways that perseverance and even a little faith can go a long way. Like a fisherman who waits and waits for a catch, we too, must have the patience to wait and stay the course. Empower us with the Holy Spirit so that we can impact lives and help bring people to a saving life in Christ.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor Almighty and everlasting God, you speak to us today through your word as you always have. We are slaves to sin and unable to free ourselves. We desperately need Jesus who has the power to set us free from this bondage. It is impossible to do this ourselves. Give us courage and a willing heart to submit our lives to you so that we can be released from sin’s hold on us.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
All Father, we confess to you that we often have this desire to control everything and leave you out of our thoughts and decisions. We lack vision to see you and make decisions through the eyes of faith. For this reason, we have not let you be in control and have stood in the way of your will for our lives. Our belief system has been influenced by the world and we suffer the consequences. We are deeply sorry and ask for your forgiveness.
Pastor We have made confession to God and have asked for forgiveness and restoration. God has promised that He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we have been reconciled and made new again. The Lord loves you and has restored you. You are set free from the grips of your sin. Praise and glory to God!
ALL Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 9:1-22
This is the account of Saul’s conversion from one who persecuted those who believed in Christ to one of the strongest advocates for Christ the world has ever known.
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? ”22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
