Description
Mark 10:23-31
The grip of wealth on a person’s soul can lead him or her away from the Kingdom of God. In fact, Jesus compares a rich man entering the Kingdom of God as being more difficult than a camel going through the eye of a needle. But with God, all things are possible- even a shift of dependence on wealth to dependence on God.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
The Way
Ben Smith | Daniel Bashta | Pat Barrett, © Heritage Worship Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Go Forth Sounds (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing) Bread & Wine Sounds (Admin. by Watershed Music Group)
Because He Lives (Amen)
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, & William J. Gaither, © 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
O Praise the Name (Anastasis)
Benjamin Hastings | Dean Ussher | Marty Sampson, © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Give Me Jesus
CH 554; ELW 770; HWC 443; HGP 387; LSB 976; STTL 588; WC 551; WIS 113; WOV 777
The Temple Rang with Golden Coins
HS98 885; LSB 787
I Surrender All
BH 75 347; BH 91 275; CH 596; HWC 366; HPW 42; HFG 408; HLC 373; HGP 362; HSP 275; RH 483; STTL 486; WC 579; UMH 354; WAR 474; WHM 404; WIS 287
Invocation
Pastor The Lord is our provider!
ALL He has shown us His provision through Jesus Christ!
Pastor Nothing can fill the void in our lives like God can!
ALL Oh how He loves us!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor Lord, as we learn and read and worship together, teach us Your ways. Because we have
access to Your holy Scriptures, we can gather knowledge, but it takes Your Spirit to bring
understanding and revelation. As Your disciples, we want to follow You well and
continue Your holy work as Your servants. Give us wisdom to see things like You do.
ALL In Jesus’ name, amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Jesus, we are humbled by your great sacrifice on the cross as you were led like a lamb to to the slaughter.
ALL But we like stray sheep wander off in our own ways and get lost in sin. Call us home, Great Shepherd!
Pastor You are the forever High Priest ordained by God. We confess of our sin to You now.
ALL We confess that we easily depend on what the world has to offer- money, retirement, and climbing up the ladder of success. While we recognize that you are the giver of wealth, we confess that we are tempted by greed. Forgive us, Lord!
Pastor Hear us, Lord. We accept your forgiveness.
ALL Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross that washed our sins white as snow.
Pastor We love you, Jesus. We want to follow you. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
Wealth does not equal happiness in this life. In fact, the love of wealth produces greed. It is God who gives wealth and possessions to us as a gift. Love God more than wealth.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. 16 This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? 17 All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. 18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
