Description
(Luke 10:25-37)
We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, but who are our neighbors? Jesus answered this Pharisee’s question with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. After a man was severely beaten and left to die and passed up by both a priest and a Levite, a Samaritan man had mercy on him. He cared for his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid the innkeeper to watch him until he returned. Jesus commanded, “Go and do likewise.” Do we treat our friends and family in this way? Do we treat strangers with mercy?
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
With warm compassion, we greet you in the name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
We embrace your welcome and the beckoning of the Lord.
Time of Praise and Worship
Holy, Holy, Holy (God With Us)
John Bacchus Dykes, Matt Maher, & Reginald Heber, © Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Unashamed
Doug McKelvey, Jon Neufeld, & Tim Neufeld, ©2006 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Fieldstar Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Songs Only Dogs Can Hear (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.)
Jesus Friend of Sinners
Mark Hall & Matthew West, ©2011 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC), External Combustion Music
[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
Today Your Mercy Calls Us
LBW 304; LSB 915; LW 347
Holy, Holy, Holy
BH 75 1; BH 91 2; CH 3; CHH 4; EH 362; ELW 413; HWC 262; HPW 2; HFG 323; HLC 1; HGP 51; HSP 12; LBW 165; LSB 507; LW 168; NCH 277; PH 580; RH 213; RS 624; STTL 2; WC 2; UMH 64; WAR 136; WHM 47; WIS 8
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord has mercy on us!
Worshipers
He blesses those who have regard for the lowly.
Pastor / Worship Leader
He protects and preserves them in times of trouble.
Worshipers
He gives healing to the sick because of His mercy and kindness.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, we thank you that this life on earth is only temporary. We ask You to fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we would live as fruit-bearers and known as merciful because of You. We present to you today our whole hearts. Some are filled with pain from the past, brokenness from present situations, and worry for the future. Others are filled with joy, curiosity, or walls that block them from knowing you. No matter our hearts’ conditions, we come as we are to Your mercy seat. We expectantly hope and wait for You today.
Worshipers
With gratitude we pray in the name of Jesus, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, we confess that we have followed the footsteps of the priest and the Levite just like in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Worshipers
We’ve ignored the needs of others, turned our heads the other way, and focused our vision on our own goals and desires rather than acknowledging Your plans.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we’ve been too prideful to submit to You. We’ve been too busy to hear Your voice. Forgive us.
Worshipers
Forgive us our shortcomings and failures and take the guilt and shame that these actions carry from us. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may walk in Your truth and will.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Help us to see others through Your eyes and move in our hearts with great compassion. Give us the desire to serve one another and think of each other more highly than ourselves.
Worshipers
Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness, Lord. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Keep the Lord’s commands and obey all that is written in the Word, which is written in your hearts and mouths. Turn to God and follow Him wholeheartedly.
9 Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, 10 if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
