Description

Series Theme          “Genuine Christianity”

“Organic” is a big buzzword these days.  It seems everyone is talking about food that is pure – food with no additives or fillers.  More and more labels are claiming their product as 100% pure and organic.  What about Christianity?  Is our faith pure and free from man-made additives?  This 5-week series looks at the basic elements of our faith in their purest form.  Are you a 100% pure organic Christian?

This Week’s Theme: “Pure Faith”         Mark 5:21-43

Two people in crisis reached out to Jesus with nothing but faith — and Jesus responded.  What can we learn about faith from their encounter with Jesus?  More importantly, what can we learn about how Jesus responds to even the simplest act of faith?

 

… 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

A New Hallelujah

Debbie Smith, Michael W. Smith, Paul Baloche, ©2008 Smittyfly Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) This Is Your Time Music Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

  1. Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, & Michael Bleecker, © 2009 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)

All Because of Jesus

Steve Fee, ©2007 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Six Steps BMI Designee (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

 

[Traditional Options]

Lord, Open Now My Heart To Hear

LSB 908; LW 197

Fight the Good Fight

BH 75 394; EH 552,553; HFG 613; HLC 469; HSP 163; LBW 461; LSB 664; LW 299; PH 307

I Know My Faith Is Founded   

LSB 587; LW 354

For Me to Live is Jesus

LSB 742; LW 267

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

Pastor              Today we are here to experience true worship of the One True God.  May we enter into that worship with sincere hearts and make our beginning in the Name of the                                    Father Son and Holy Spirit.

ALL                  Amen!

  

Prayer Opening

Pastor              Our Loving, Nurturing Father-God, – each day we witness untold miracles that are a testament of Your love for all mankind.  Some spectacular miracles gently remind                              us of Jesus’ healing miracles when He walked the earth; other everyday miracles are quiet and soft like a gentle father’s whisper — filled with beauty and awe.  As we                                  worship today, we prayerfully ask that these miracle-gifts that You provide be used to reach those needing to experience with true faith, the miracle of Your love.           

ALL                  I With our faith in Christ Jesus we pray believing You hear and answer us.  Amen

 

Time of Greeting 

Pastor                  As you greet those around you today, tell someone how long you have personally had your faith in the Lord. 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

Pastor          This is True/False Test:  Make this a time of silent reflection as we consider Who God is in our individual lives:  (Pastor allows 30 seconds for reflection after he reads                                each line.)

  1. I always look for miracles in my daily life. [F]
  2. God the Father will always be available to hear and answer my prayer. [T]
  3. God usually reveals His plan to me ahead of time. [F]
  4. My faith in the Lord is always pure and genuine, and I never doubt at all. [F]
  5. As I confess my sin, and will to leave it behind, I know for certain that I am forgiven. [T]

 

Pastor              Wow. . . so how many are true for you?  How many were false?  Did anyone have them all as true? False? [discussion]. Realizing that apart from the Blood of Christ, we are too sinful to ever be forgiven, we acknowledge our condition.  By faith in our Risen Savior, which is a gift from the Holy Spirit, we receive full pardon, just as if we’d never done wrong.  And by that same true faith, we are ready to turn away from temptation and live more fully for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  In Whose Name we pray, Amen?

ALL                  Amen!

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

                                                           

First Reading:         Lamentations. 3:22-33 

The prophet had experienced severe distress, and the battle between unbelief and faith was waging war in his mind.  Here, the prophet shows how to rise above the unbelief and trust in God. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. 28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.  29 Let him bury his face in the dust — there may yet be hope. 30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. 31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction