Description
John 9:1-41
There is a man mentioned in John 9 who was born blind, but when Jesus arrived on the scene, this blind man’s life drastically changed. Not only would he see with his eyes, but he would also come to a clear spiritual view of Christ. His words do not explain the cause of the man’s blindness, but the purpose. He sees in the blind man an opportunity to display the works of God. Additionally, as a result of this miracle, there was yet another head-on collision between the Pharisees and the Lord Jesus Christ. From this account, we learn of a blindness far more dangerous and devastating than that of the mere loss of (physical) sight. Here we find the blind given sight and the seeing blinded.
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
Good morning and welcome to each of you in the name of Jesus Christ. As we prepare our hearts let us be still for a moment as we draw near to worship God. Take just a few seconds to remind yourself why we are gathered together today. Listen, God speaks even through the background noise of the world around us.
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)
Nobody Loves Me Like You
Ed Cash & Scott Cash, © Alletrop Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes, ©2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
[Traditional Options]
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
BH 75 382; BH 91 416; CH 539; CHH 576; EH 691; ELW 759; HWC 410; HFG 84; HLC 366; HGP 192; HSP 8; LWB 479; LSB 702; LW 378; PH 383; RH 423; STTL 433; WC 552; UMH 452; WAR 419; WHM 433; WIS 54
Thy Strong Word
EH 381; ELW 511; LBW 233; LSB 578; LW 328
Thee Will I Love My Strength My Tower
LBW 502; LSB 694; LW 375
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord God, in this short time together, open our ears and our eyes to see your vision for this place and our part within it. Teach us, hear our prayers and enable us for service wherever you might take us, to your praise and glory. Amen.
Worshipers
Here we are Lord; your people, your Church meeting together in your presence. We welcome each other and we welcome You. Make yourself known to us new ways through our worship, our prayers and our understanding of your Word today. Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, pull back the veil” and reveal your presence and work around us. When our eyes are open, we see that you are everywhere, in everything, always. When our eyes are open, we see every day is brimming over with your love and presence: filled with Your majesty, Your activity and Your miracles.
Worshipers
Open my eyes, that I may see the Your love, mercy, and grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. Open my eyes to see Your glory in all of creation. Open my eyes to see the blessing in every hardship. Open my eyes to see the Gospel in every person. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times, O God, when we fail to recognize you in the dailiness of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small, and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness, and we degrade our own wisdom.
Worshipers
Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from your wisdom.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 42:14-21
The words of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah. Here we hear the warning of impending doom the Lord will bring against the people who have turned from Him. But, those who humble themselves will be saved.
14 “For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. 17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. 18 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the Lord? 20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” 21 It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.
