Description
Mark 7:24-37
Jesus encountered a Gentile woman who persistently asked for healing for her daughter, and Jesus commended her faith, granting her request. After, Jesus healed a deaf and mute man, demonstrating His power and compassion through physical restoration and spiritual transformation. This passage teaches us that persistence in prayer and unwavering faith can move the heart of God, and that our interactions with others should reflect both compassion and the transformative power of Christ’s love.
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
Praise the Lord!
Worshipers
He is good!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Take a moment and turn to someone near you. Introduce yourself if you are strangers, otherwise, shake a hand, give a high-five, or a hug. Say, “I’m so glad you’re here, and God is, too!”
(Allow time for worshipers to greet one another)
Time of Praise and Worship
The Lord Our God
Jason Ingram | Kristian Stanfill, © 2013 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)
Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm, ©2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
What Faith Can Do
Scott Davis & Scott Krippayne, ©2008 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Life Of Rhyme Music Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Pirk Music
[Traditional Options]
I Love Your Kingdom, Lord
BH 75 240; BH 91 354; CH 405; EH 524; HWC 280; HFG 545; HLC 203; HGP 168; HSP 189; LBW 368; LSB 651; LW 296; NCH 312; PH 441; RH 330; WC 702; UMH 540; WAR 549; WHM 349; WIS 311
Christ Is Our Cornerstone
LSB 917; LW 290
Lord, Speak to Me, that We May Speak
BH 75 276; BH 91 568; CH 667; ELW 676; HWC 450; HFG 625; HLC 378; HSP 239; LBW 403; NCH 531; PH 426; RH 520; WC 574; UMH 463; WAR 593; WHM 646; WIS 338
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Praise the Lord!
Worshipers
He is good!
Pastor / Worship Leader
I’m not sure if you came here today because you were feeling like it. Let’s be honest for a moment, there are times when we don’t feel like gathering together, because we don’t feel like it, we are going through some difficult circumstances, or we are just plain tired. There are some of us today who may have shown up at the last minute and it took much convincing and faith to arrive. Then there are some who just couldn’t wait to show up and see friends. You may have arrived early or late. No matter how you’re feeling this morning, I encourage you to lay it all down at the feet of Jesus. Lift your eyes up to Him and choose to worship Him with everything that you have!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we lay down all that we have carried into this place and lay it all down before Your feet. Just like the woman who persistently asked for her daughter’s healing, we persistently ask for Your healing touch and Your transforming work to be done in every heart and mind today. We seek You alone, and we praise You with all that we have within us. May our worship be a pleasing aroma to You, Lord.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name we ask and pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we look forward to the day when the eyes of the blind will be opened, the deaf ears unstopped, and the mute tongue shouts for joy.
Worshipers
We cannot wait for Your return!
Pastor / Worship Leader
In our waiting, we choose to worship You through confession.
Worshipers
We confess that we have placed more value in doing deeds without faith. We work in vain, we build up our own names rather than bringing glory to Yours. We live for worldly gains and forget the eternity that awaits us. Forgive us, Father.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Spur us on, Holy Spirit, to persistently pursue faithful living that brings You glory. Thank You for Your sufficient grace that covers all of our sin that was accomplished through the Son, Jesus, on the cross at Calvary.
Worshipers
We accept Your forgiveness and choose to live holy lives. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 35:4-7a
Isaiah reassured that God Himself will come with vengeance and retribution to save His people, bringing divine justice. In His coming, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap like deer, and the mute will shout for joy, demonstrating God’s restoration and healing power.
say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
