Description
Matthew 5:1-12
The beatitudes introduce the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus climbs a mountain with the crowd he has so excited and sits down in the posture of a teacher encircled by his newly called disciples. They are the primary targets of his instruction in the principles of life in the kingdom of heaven. A key principle of embracing this life is “blessedness.” This is a refrain that runs throughout verses 5-10: those are blessed who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are persecuted. The word “blessed” does not mean “holy,” and neither does it mean “happy” in the sense of being in a good mood. Rather, the word, “blessed” refers to a fortunate state of life. Jesus is saying that those who are poor in spirit are fortunate! It may surprise us that he speaks these words about those whose present circumstances seem so unfortunate. Jesus can speak such words because he is revealing a kingdom perspective. The kingdom that Jesus proclaims infiltrates the present condition of the unfortunate and transforms it.
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
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Worshipers
And also, with you.
Time of Praise and Worship
Build Your Kingdom Here
Rend Collective Experiment, ©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Way Maker
Osinachi Okoro, © 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Confidence
Chris Rohman, Dustin Lolli, Ethan Hulse, Matthew Armstrong, © 1978 Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Bluehouse Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Caelum Terra Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) EGH Music Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Fair Trade Tunes (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Curb Wordspring Music (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.) Eyes Up Songs (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.)
[Traditional Options]
For All The Saints
BH75 144; BH91 355; CH 767; CHH 637; EH 287; ELW 422; HWC 546; HFG 614; HLC 533; HGP 25; LBW 174; LSB 677; LW 191; NCH 299; PH 526; RH 667; STTL 685; TFWS 2283; WC 751; UMH 711; WAR 529; WHM 597; WIS 310
Your Kingdom, O God, is My Glorious Treasure
LSB 654
Christ is Surely Coming
LSB 509
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Happy are we when our treasures cannot be quantified.
Happy are we when our knowledge is tempered by mystery.
Happy are we when our pain is held in the balm of love.
Happy are we when our delight comes from beyond ourselves.
Worshipers
Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Blessed are you, O God, for you are holy, gracious, and good, the hope of all the faithful. Empower the meek and encourage the poor. Comfort those who mourn and fill humble hearts with gladness. Give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, peace to the peacemakers, mercy to the merciful, and honor to the despised. Sustain your saints in ministry, until at last they see their reward: the joy of eternal life with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world.
its pride, its selfishness, its greed.
its evil distortions and hatreds.
Let us confess our share in what is wrong,
and our failure to seek and establish that peace
which God wills for all his children.
Worshipers
Lord God,
we have sinned against you.
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore us to the joy of your salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Revelation 7:9-17
The Apostle John describes the very atmosphere of Heaven – all kinds of people, God’s saints, surrounding the throne of Jesus Christ and worshiping him day and night. Imagine that – no hunger, thirst, pain, or suffering, just hearts cleansed and fulfilled by Jesus Christ overflowing with worship to Him for all eternity. That is what Heaven will be like.
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
