Description
(Luke 16:1-15)
Money, wealth, power, and fame in this life can be deceivingly satisfactory, but it will never be enough. Loving God, serving Him, being generous and obedient with what He’s entrusted to you will bring you true satisfaction and peace. In this parable, Jesus warns that you cannot serve both God and money.
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
If you’re anything like me, you may have entered this place carrying some sort of load. Perhaps it’s something on your mind that you can’t stop thinking about. Maybe you’re carrying a financial burden. It could be that you aren’t feeling the best or have been sick for years. Maybe you’re struggling with a sin that you feel like you won’t ever be free from. If you’re anything like me, sometimes I don’t feel like worshipping because of my changing circumstances. Friends, I have good news for you- in spite of what’s happening in the world, in our city, and in our personal day-to-day lives, the Lord is unchanging! He isn’t swayed by circumstances and He is our strong tower, the lighthouse we spot in the storm. And no matter what is happening in your life today, He can handle it. So, let’s give the burdens that we are carrying to the One who carries it for us with grace as we worship Him this morning.
Worshipers
We are here to worship the One and Only!
Time of Praise and Worship
This Is Our God
David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, & Travis Cottrell, © 2006 CCTB Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) First Hand Revelation Music (Admin. by The Loving Company) (Admin. by The Loving Company (Mechanical))
King of My Heart
John Mark McMillan & Sarah McMillan, © Meaux Jeaux Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Raucous Ruckus Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) McMillan, Sarah (Admin. by Moniker Music Group)
Lead Me To The Cross
Brooke Fraser, ©2006 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)
[Traditional Options]
Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW 655; LBW 364; LSB 842; LW 394; NCH 542
Before You Lord We Bow
ELW 893; LBW 401; LSB 966; LW 500
Praise to You, and Adoration
LSB 692
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Who are the servants of the Lord?
Worshipers
We are!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let the name of the Lord be praised. He is exalted over all the nations, over all the earth.
Worshipers
He lifts the poor from the dust and seats them with princes.
Pastor / Worship Leader
All you servants of the Lord praise Him!
Worshipers
Praise the Lord.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious and generous God, we fix our eyes on You who are seated enthroned on high. There is no one like You, God. Teach us the ways You call righteous, obedient, and true. May we dedicate our whole hearts to You and no one or nothing else.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that we are sinners.
Worshipers
We are sinners who need the redemption of Jesus Christ.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We admit that we are at fault. We confess of the times we’ve taken advantage of others, judged one another, and thought of ourselves more highly than we ought.
Worshipers
We confess that we have torn apart others with our words and thoughts. We’ve made money our master and failed in wise stewardship of the assets to which You’ve entrusted us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Master.
Worshipers
Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We know this is not Your will for us to live enslaved to sin.
Worshipers
Thank you for the freedom you’ve provided through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the forgiver of our sins and leader of our lives.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the name of Jesus, we pray,
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Amos 8:4-7
The Lord warned those who took advantage of the poor and needy and reminded them that He does not forget. Take measures to be honest in all that you do.
Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, 5 saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”— skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, 6 buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat. 7 The Lord has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done.
