Description

John 21:1-14 (15-19)

On the Sea of Galilee, a group of disciples spent all night fishing and caught nothing.  At dawn, Jesus appeared to them on the beach for the third time after His resurrection. He challenged them to once again throw out the net on the right-hand side of the boat.  To their shock, the disciples couldn’t even haul in the net because it was filled with numerous, fish.  Jesus loved His disciples and taught them once again to follow Him by shepherding the flock after His ascension.  Discipleship is vital to the growing Kingdom of God.  Who are you discipling?

 

…  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

Christ Is Risen

Matt Maher & Mia Fieldes, © Thankyou Music | spiritandsong.com | Unknown (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Be Unto Your Name

Lynn DeShazo & Gary Sadler, ©1998 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Glorious

Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche, ©2009 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

 

[Traditional Options]

Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs          

BH 75 126; EH 374; ELW 847; LBW 254; LSB 812; LW 204

Dearest Jesus We Are Here

ELW 443; LBW 187; LSB 592; LW 226; PH 493

Now All The Vault of Heaven Resounds

ELW 367; LBW 143; LSB 465; LW 131

 

Invocation

Pastor               Glory be to God in the highest!

 

ALL                  Amen to the Lamb of God who sits on the throne!     

 

Pastor               He is the Miracle Worker, the Victorious King, and the Risen Lamb.

 

ALL                  He is Jesus Christ, and we worship Him alone.  Hallelujah!

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

   Pastor/Worship Leader speaks

Pastor                 Jesus, we bow in honor of your Kingship and supreme authority.  We confess you as our

                              Lord and our Savior, and we are humbled to be your disciples.  Would you do a

                              miraculous work in our lives, hearts, in our city, in our country, in this earthly place?  We

                             don’t want to lead shallow lives and build up kingdoms for ourselves- we will come up

                             empty!  We want to be like the disciples who sat around a fire with you eating bread and

                            fish.  We want to know You, Jesus.  It’s in your powerful name we pray, Jesus,

 

ALL                 Amen!

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor               Father, we are sinners in need of a perfect lamb.

 

ALL                  The Lamb was slaughtered for the sins of humanity, that’s us.

 

Pastor               We confess that we have been fooled by the enemy, tempted and given into temptation,

                           falling into the trap of sin.

 

ALL                  Free us from sin’s hold, Father!

 

Pastor               Hear us, Father, and forgive us.

 

ALL                  And the Lamb of God, unblemished, spotless, and pure, was crucified for our sake.  

                          He was bruised for our iniquities, and it’s by His stripes we are healed.

 

Pastor               Jesus Christ is the victorious Lamb of God!  He is the way to the Mercy Seat of the

                        Father.  We are forgiven and set free by the blood of the Lamb!

 

ALL                  Praise be to the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, Jesus Christ!  He has set us

                        free!  Amen.

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                                  Acts 9:1-22

Saul, an unlikely persecutor of Christians, met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Who would have thought that the Lord would call this man to preach the Gospel message of Jesus Christ?  God can call and transform anyone.  Never stop believing in our incredible God!

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers[d] in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” 21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” 22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.