Description
Mark 4:26-34
Jesus continues to draw large crowds. And He is teaching them through parables. But Jesus wouldn’t explain the parables to everyone. He explains to His disciples by quoting the Prophet Isaiah. (Verse 4:12) But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” Jesus tells the parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed. He says the Kingdom of God is like these two seeds. It sprouts and grows, it is small and becomes large. It is harvested.
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
Won’t Stop Now
Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, © 2018 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Surrounded (Fight My Battles)
Elyssa Smith, © 2017 UR Global Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Great I Am
Jared Anderson, ©2011 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI))
[Traditional Options]
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
BH 75 233; BH 91 637; CH 797; CHH 718; EH 290; ELW 693; HWC 559; HFG 392; HLC 565; HGP 490; HSP 327; LBW 407; LSB 892, LW 495; NCH 422; PH 551; RH 718; STTL 765; WC 281; UMH 694; WAR 721; WHM 89; WIS 87
Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
ELW 533; LBW 250; LSB 901; LW 198, NCH 67; PH 489
The Word of God is Source and Seed
ELW 506; WOV 658
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Worshipers
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
Worshipers
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
Pastor / Worship Leader
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Worshipers
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the people.
Pastor / Worship Leader
I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. Amen
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Mighty God, to you, belong the mysteries of the universe. You transform shepherds into kings, the smallest seeds into magnificent trees, and hardened hearts into loving ones. Bless us with your life-giving Spirit, re-create us in your image, and shape us to your purposes. Help us to joyfully serve you all our days, knowing that you are always watching over us. Prepare our hearts to receive your word and our spirits to respond in eagerness to serve you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
We confess that we trust in our own ability, our own words, to accomplish things. That we do not pray first or search your Word for answers. That even in ministry work or witnessing to our family or neighbor, we do not walk by faith or trust in You to accomplish your very own will.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that we look with earthly eyes at your church and count. Count numbers for growth or attendance.
Worshipers
We ignore your Word that states it is You who makes the seed sprout and grow. It is You who makes your church grow.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us Lord for relying on man first and not You first.
Worshipers
Help us Lord to see and perceive, to hear and understand so we may turn and be forgiven.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
Thanks be to God! Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ezekiel 17:22-24
The Lord instructs the prophet Ezekiel to provide an allegory, a parable to the house of Israel. It prophecies of the end of King Zedekiah’s reign and his death in captivity in Babylon. But as so often in prophecies, the Lord finishes with a word of hope- in this instance a Messianic prophecy, a shoot that will be planted on mountain heights (Jerusalem) and will provide nesting and shelter and produce fruit.
“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”
