Description
Mark 9:30-37
A dispute between the disciples about who was the greatest moved Jesus to take up a child in His arms and demonstrate that the last and the servant were the greatest in the Kingdom of God. Christ was the ultimate servant, selflessly dying on the cross for our sins so that we could receive the wonderful gift of salvation. Although He was truly first, Jesus made Himself last of all and servant of all for our sake.
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
Way Maker
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, © 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Jesus Son of God
Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, & Matt Maher, ©2012 Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC), Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
[Traditional Options]
Father Welcomes All His Children
CH 90; LSB 605
In Thee Is Gladness
ELW 867; HLC 64; LBW 552; LSB 818; LW 442; UMH 169
What Is The World To Me
LSB 730; LW 418
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Come everyone and worship the Lord!
Worshipers
We come as we are and worship the Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The first shall be last and the last shall be first.
Worshipers
We come with confidence, our minds filled with questions. We come bearing burdens, and come celebrating victories. We come fearful of the future, but our eyes are on Jesus who leads us.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
God, Jeremiah in his distress and defeat knew Your loving care, Your protection, and Your provision. We look to You to provide those things for us as well. You met our soul’s need through Jesus’ sacrifice for us on a cross. He was the perfect servant leader, making Himself last when He was truly first.
Worshipers
Jesus, we thank You and we worship You with our hearts open to the saving work that You accomplished fully on our behalf. We love You, and we follow You, Jesus, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus, we come before you ready to confess.
Worshipers
We feel shame, embarrassment, and guilt.
Pastor / Worship Leader
You lead us to repentance and ask us to give You our burdens, so we confess now.
Worshipers
We confess of comparing ourselves to one another and finding worth and value in our own strength and ability when all of this comes from You. We confess of competing against one another to be the greatest in Your eyes through our work and good deeds. Please forgive us, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
For You have spoken that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. You are the giver of all, and we can do nothing on our own without You. The greatest accomplishment that was and ever will be was the work of the cross and we give You all glory.
Worshipers
Forgive us, Lord, now we ask in the name of Jesus.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 11:18-20
The Lord revealed the conspiracies and threats on his life to Jeremiah, and Jeremiah felt defenseless. Turning to God in prayer, he put his confidence in the Lord.
Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. 19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.” 20 But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.
