Description
Ephesians 3:14-21
For many years as a parish pastor, this prayer from the Apostle Paul to the Church at Ephesus was the prayer I shared for the Confirmation class each year. Since Confirmation Day was the occasion for young people to affirm their baptism and Christian faith, this prayer stated so perfectly my hopes for them. Today, as I share the sermon, I want you (your congregation) to know that this is my prayer for you. “I care deeply for you–my brothers and sisters, for you are the body of Christ. I yearn for your growth in the faith–that Christ may dwell in you and that you may be filled with the fullness of God. We have to be a church that embraces and practices prayer in all we do. I pray for you. I ask that you pray for me and all of us. May the Lord accomplish in us far more than we can ever imagine.”
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
The Potter’s Hand
Darlene Zschech, ©1997 Hillong Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High
Rick Founds, ©1989 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
Cornerstone
Edward Mote, Eric Liljero, Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan, William Batchelder Bradbury, ©2011 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
O Savior, Precious Savior
ELW 820; HLC 98; LBW 514; LSB 527; LW 282
Beautiful Savior
BH 75 48; BH 91 176; CH 87; CHH 97; EH 383; ELW 838; HWC 88; HPW 5; HFG 24-; HLC 67; HGP 34; HSP 41; LBW 518; LSB 537; LW 507; NCH 44; PH 306; RH 47; STTL 152; WC 115; UMH 189; WAR 123; WHM 188; WIS 99
Jesus Loves Me This I Know
BH75 336; BH91 344; CH 185; CHH 113; ELW 595; HWC 579; HFG 226; HSP 42; LSB 588; NCH 327; PH 304; RH 96; STTL 738; WC 470; UMH 191; WAR 437; WHM 423; WIS 497
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor It is such a joy and delight to be here together to worship God who yearns for us to come to him always in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. .
ALL Yes, with grateful hearts, we raise our voices to you in prayer and praise!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious God, our Father, you have made it known to us that we are to seek help and wisdom from you at all times. You have made promises to us that we often forget. You have promised us that you will never leave us or ever forsake us. You have demonstrated to us the magnitude of your love which surpasses our human understanding. You have shown through your servants such as Paul the necessity and power of prayer. Thank you for the comfort and peace of knowing that you are always there and you never grow weary of our petitions of prayer.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: We now take this moment to reflect on our lives, look within, and confess our sins.
People: Lord God, we confess that our actions in life are not always consistent with our words. It is apparent to us that there are areas of our lives that need change but our pride and stubbornness create a barrier. We know that we submit to the lures and temptations of this world which so often lead us to behaviors that are not consistent with your Word.
We confess that we are self-centered and control driven—attempting to work out things ourselves, rather than seeking your help, when faced with problems and challenges in our lives. We know that it is your desire that we pray often for our lives, family, churches, pastors, one another, and the world. We regret that we have fallen short in this area and have not relied on our faith in you.
We confess that we have kept the saving message of Jesus Christ to ourselves and have missed many opportunities to impact the lives of others. Help us to be more consistent in our prayer life and communication with you. We know that you have the power to heal, restore, and change lives. Help us to do our part and remain in communication with you through constant prayer.
(silence for personal confession)
Pastor: By the authority and power of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. You are cleansed and made new again!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 9:8-17
God gave Noah a reassuring promise through a covenant that there would never again be a flood of destruction and a rainbow in the sky will confirm the everlasting covenant between God and creation.
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” 17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”
