Description
Luke 18:1-8
Jesus shared a parable about a widow who persistently pursued justice from a judge who didn’t fear God nor valued the opinion of others. After some time, the unjust judge granted the widow’s request out of irritation. Unlike this judge, God is righteous and just and honors the faithful prayers of His people. God, the good judge, is for His people and lends ear to even the tiniest prayers.
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
Open Up the Heavens
Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, & Stuart Garrard, ©2012 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Give Me Jesus
Jeremy Camp, ©2006 Thirsty Moon River Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Stolen Pride (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Holy Spirit
Bryan Torwalt & Katie Torwalt © 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Give Me Jesus
CH 554; ELW 770; HWC 443; HGP 387; LSB 976; STTL 588; WC 551; WIS 113; WOV 777
Before You Lord We Bow
ELW 893; LBW 401; LSB966; LW 500
Come, My Soul, With Every Care
LSB 779; LW 433
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Faithful Father, you are a good, good God.
ALL Yes, Lord, You are good!
Pastor We approach your throne with boldness and confidence because of your grace.
ALL Hear us now, O God.
Pastor We are thankful for Your justice and Your mercy.
ALL Thank you, Father.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, we are grateful that you hear our prayers. When we grow tired and weary from the burdens of this world, help us to remember that it’s You who carries our troubles and cares for us. Every day, every hour, every minute, we desperately need you, Father. As we open your Holy Word today, may you open our hearts. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray.
ALL Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Gracious Lord, we answer your call to confess our sins. Where our hearts are calloused,
soften those areas by your power.
ALL We listen to your voice and willingly yield to you, Lord.
Pastor Bring to our minds the areas of which we need to repent so we can walk in your freedom.
ALL We repent of our sins, turn away from evil, and focus our eyes on you, God.
Pastor By faith, we accept your forgiveness, freely given through the sacrifice of your one and
only Son, Jesus Christ, who through his death on the cross and resurrection, made
atonement for our sins because of Your unconditional love for us. We are eternally
grateful. Help us walk freely in your forgiveness and extend forgiveness to others in the
same way.
ALL By Your grace alone may we do it! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob wrestles with God in a match that leaves Jacob blessed.
22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name. ” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.
