Description
Luke 12:13-21
Jesus told the crowd a parable in response to two brothers wanting to divide an inheritance. In this parable, a large storehouse was full of an abundant harvest, but the owner lost his life, so what good did the storehouse do? When we store up treasures for ourselves here on this earth and not toward God, we forget that it is the Lord who gives, and it is the Lord who takes away. Setting our minds and hearts on things that last for eternity is the way God would have us live.
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
Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes, ©2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
Great Are You Lord
David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Build My Life
Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Elizabeth Kaple, Matt Redman, and Pat Barrett © 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew, Kaple Music, Capitol CMG Genesis, Housefires Sounds, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, worshiptogether.com songs, Bethel Music Publishing
[Traditional Options]
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720;; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
This is the Day the Lord Has Made
BH 75 68; BH 91 358, 359; CH 209; CHH 286; EH 50; HWC 590; LSB 903; LW 200; NCH 84; PH 230; RH 705; STTL 26; WC 801; UMH 657, 658; WAR 652
Hail, O Source of Every Blessing
LSB 409; LW 84
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome all to this place. We are so glad that you are here. We want to celebrate together and lift up the name of Jesus- the name that is above every name. He is worthy to be praised- Amen?
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, this life is but a vapor. It doesn’t last. The only thing that lasts is You. Today, set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. This world will pass away, but You remain forever. Give us eyes filled with eternity as we worship You today.
Worshipers
Yes, Lord. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
On this earth, it’s easy to become distracted with bigger and better- especially in our nation. We see the next big thing- whether that’s a car, house, position, title, or even church. We forget that the things on this earth aren’t lasting- they’re fading. So, take a moment and think about what is distracting you from setting your heart and mind on the things that do last- your life with Jesus in Heaven. As you reflect, take a moment in prayer to confess of those things before the Lord. Ask Him to forgive you, then receive His forgiveness.
Worshipers
(Take a moment for prayer and reflection.)
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, thank You for forgiving us. Help us to remember, Holy Spirit, that You have so much more for us than we can see with these earthly eyes. Help us to focus our attention on You. In Jesus’ name…
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26
King Solomon had everything he could ever imagine. While anything he desired rested at his fingertips, he concluded that everything in this life is meaningless without God.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. 24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
