Description

Luke 21:5-19

Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end times.  He warns them of false prophets, wars, disasters, and persecution.  He then encourages them to stand firm in the faith.  We know that the end times are coming.  News of wars, disasters, and devastation flood our media.  None of this should surprise us as Jesus already told us what is to come.  Instead of fretting, stand firm by praying for those who persecute you, fellow brothers and sisters, and keep your hope in the Lord who will win in the end.

 

… 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

Everyday

Joel Houston, ©1999 Joel Houston / Hillsong Publishing

Strong Tower

Aaron Sprinkle, Jon Sumrall, Marc Byrd, Mark Lee, ©Meaux Mercy (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Blue Raft Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Consuming Fire Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thirsty Moon River Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Indecisive Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Spinning Audio Vortex, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Flush On The Flop Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Shout To The Lord

Darlene Zschech, ©1993 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing

[Traditional Options]

How Firm A Foundation          

BH 75 383; BH 91 338; CH 408; CHH 618; EH 636,637; ELW 796; HWC 275; HPW 38; HFG 32; HLC 224; HGP 162; HSP 121; LWB 507; LSB 728; LW 411; NCH 407; PH 361; RH 221; STTL 689; WC 612; UMH 529; WAR 411; WHM 342; WIS 1

Lord Jesus Christ, The Church’s Head

LSB 647; LW 293

Be Strong In The Lord

BH 91 476; CH 734; HS98 866; LSB 665; WC 661, WAR 514

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

Pastor            We are so blessed to be with one another today!  It is by God’s glory that we are here.

                        Let us give Him thanks together!

 

ALL                We thank you, Almighty God, for your many blessings.  We are delighted to come before                          you with humble hearts as your hearers and doers of your true Word!

 

Opening Prayer

Pastor              Heavenly Father, your name is great and greatly to be praised!  It is with great joy that we gather in this place today as your church.  You’ve given us freedom in this country to worship you.  So many places in our world have shut off access to You, God.  Let us never take for granted the freedom to publicly be your followers, and let us never take lightly the calling you’ve placed on us- to go into all the world as your bright light shining in the darkness, to carry the torch into treacherous corners, and to spread the Good News of Christ crucified and resurrected with the broken, the hurting, and the ones who have never heard.  Let us fight complacency and run this race to the finish line.

 

ALL                  God grant us endurance and strength.  It is in the powerful name of Jesus that we pray,                            Amen.

  

Time of Greeting

  

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor           Father, your Word tells us in Hebrews 4:16 to approach your throne of grace with

confidence.  There you grant us mercy.  Today we boldly approach your

throne to confess our sins before you.  Because of the cross, we are forgiven and receive

your merciful grace.

 

ALL                Father, we confess fully of the sins that have strong holds on us, of sins that seem

                        small and meaningless, of sins that we’ve kept in secret, and of unknown sins.  We

                        accept your forgiveness and grace.

 

Pastor            Father, where we struggle with sins, free us.  Help us to let go of those sins who have

kept us captive to fear.  You are a God of peace, forgiveness, and truth.  Shine so

brightly where we are hiding in darkness.  You are victorious, Lord!

 

ALL                  Victory is in you, Jesus!

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

First Reading                      Malachi 4:1-2a 

When Jesus returns, he will judge the wicked and the righteous.

 

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.”