Description
Not Alone in this World
John 17:11b-19
Jesus prayed for His disciples that they would be protected and unified after He returned to be with His Father. Just like God sent Jesus into the world, Jesus also commissioned His followers into the world to bring the Good News. We are left with a big job to accomplish, but we are promised the Holy Spirit to lead us, intercede for us, and protect us.
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
Blessed Be Your Name
Beth & Matt Redman, ©2002 Thankyou Music
My Redeemer Lives
Reuben Morgan, ©1998 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, ©2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, SHOUT! Publishing (Admin EMI CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Before You Lord We Bow
ELW 893; LBW 401; LSB 966; LW 500
You Are the Way, To You Alone
ELW 758; LBW 464; LSB 526; LW 283; NCH 40
The Day of Resurrection
BH 91 164; EH 210; ELW 361; HWC 226; HLC 168; LBW 141; LSB 478; LW 133; NCH 245; PH 118; WC 247; UMH 303; WAR 298; WHM 261
Invocation
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor The Lord loves you!
ALL Yes, He loves us.
Pastor Jesus ascended into heaven and tasked His disciples with the responsibility of bringing
the Good News to the ends of the earth. But take heart– we are not alone.
ALL The Holy Spirit is with us! Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Dear Jesus, what an honor it is to be on Your mind. What a privilege it is to be called Your friend. Oh, that we, mere humans, would touch the heart of God! What a blessing it is to be wanted by You. As we carry the torch into the darkness, we are aware that You indwell us, Holy Spirit. May we move when you move. May we hear your voice and obey it. To You be all honor, glory, majesty, and praise. Hallelujah!
ALL Hallelujah and amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Before we continue, let us confess our sin, our grief, our fears, our struggles to the Lord who desires to hear us. Let us not hold anything back from Him who already know.
ALL For the Lord is quick to forgive! He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Pastor We confess to God, the Almighty Judge.
ALL We confess our sins. We repent and turn the other way.
Pastor Earnestly we seek your grace. Let us give grace to others in return for what you’ve for us.
ALL Only because of the sacrifice of Jesus are we saved. Bless the Lord!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 1:12-26
Judas was gone, and the disciples were in need of one more witness to be added to their number. After praying and casting lots, they chose Matthias to join in their apostleship.
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ 21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
