Description
Mark 10:2-16
The Pharisees continue to test Jesus. They now ask him about the law of divorce. Jesus explains the reason for this law in the first place- the hardness of their hearts. Jesus then quotes the very scripture we read in today’s first reading from Genesis. He states that since husband and wife are no longer two, but one, joined together by God, let no man separate. Later, as people brought children to see Him, Jesus, amid the disciple’s rebuke, is indignant, and makes a very interesting statement. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
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
I Lay Me Down
Chris Tomlin | Jason Ingram | Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman © 2012 Atlas Mountain Songs; Rising Springs Music; S. D. G. Publishing; Thankyou Music; Twelve Lions Music; Worship Together Music; worshiptogether.com songs; Spirit Nashville Three; So Essential Tunes; Spirit Nashville Three
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
What a Miracle
Jonathan Smith | Leeland Mooring | Pat Barrett | Steven Furtick, © 2024 Capitol CMG Genesis; Housefires Sounds; Be Essential Songs; Bell Music Publishing; Cashagamble Jet Music; Little Ruddy Fellow Songs; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing
[Traditional Options]
Dearest Jesus We Are Here
ELW 443; LBW 187; LSB 592; LW 226; PH 493
Father Welcomes All His Children
CH 90; LSB 605
With The Lord Begin Your Task
LBW 444; LSB 869; LW 483
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Worshipers
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
Worshipers
To him who alone does great wonders, who by his understanding made the heavens,
who spread out the earth upon the waters
Pastor / Worship Leader
Who made the great lights. The sun to govern the day, the moon, and stars to govern the night.
Worshipers
His love endures forever.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, I pray that we may come to You day by day with an attitude of helpless, trusting dependence, joyful hope, a teachable spirit – a heart that is open to the truth of the gospel and a teachable mind that is open to all that You would have us learn and understand. May we decrease and You increase in our lives, and may we grow in grace to Your praise and glory – in Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed.
Worshipers
We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Deepen within us our sorrow for the wrong we have done, and the good we have left undone.
Worshipers
Lord, you are full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy; there is always forgiveness with You!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Restore to us the joy of your salvation; bind up that which is broken, give light to our minds, strength to our wills, and rest to our souls.
Worshipers
Our sins and shortcomings present us with a list of accusations, but we thank you that they will not stand against us, for all have been laid on Christ.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Speak to each of us, and let your word abide with us until it has wrought in us your holy will. Amen.
Worshipers
For your name’s sake. Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 2:18-24
There is much to see in the creation account of man and woman as told in the 2nd chapter of Genesis. Man should not be alone. He has no suitable helper. God creates woman from the rib of Adam. God brings the woman to Adam. And because she was taken from man, a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife- indeed, they become one flesh.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 9 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
