Description
Mark 8:27-38
What are you doing today to preserve your life? Are you eating healthy? Taking medicine? Working out? Making a good name for yourself? Perhaps it’s ensuring you work diligently so you can remain financially secure? There is no doubt we must attend to our daily needs for our well-being. But, today we step into the middle of a conversation between Jesus and His disciples about the cost of following Him. He does not sugarcoat the way of life one must choose. Jesus asks us to deny the very thing we try so hard to protect: self. Our souls are more precious than any earthly wisdom or goal we can attain. What cross is Jesus asking you to pick up and bear for the sake of your soul?
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
I Lay Me Down
Darrell Evans, © 1991 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
So Will I
Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin, Benjamin Hastings, ©2017 Hillsong Music Publishing
(Admin by Capitol CMG)
I Will Look Up
Jason Ingram, Matt Redman, Wade Joye, Chris Brown, Mack Brock
2013 Sony/ATV Timber / Open Hands Music, Sony/ATV Tree Music Pub/Elevation Worship Pub (Admin Sony ATV) Thankyou Music worshiptogether.com Songs/sixsteps Music/Said And Done Music (Admin Capitol CMG)
[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
Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW 582; LBW 523; LSB 650; LW 164; NCH 59; WC 289
Invocation
Leader We gather here today, as God’s holy and loved children.
All We gather with hearts open in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Leader Lord of all creation, You are Almighty and all-knowing. We come to You, just as we are.
All Grant us Your love, mercy, and grace today. Transform us, Lord. Make our desires Your desires. Let us bring all that we are today and surrender it before You. We receive Your Word as truth and confess in faith that we will choose to walk any road You ask, for Your Will and Namesake. We believe and proclaim You are Worthy, Holy, and Lord of Lords – greater than all our fears and worry. We trust You God, Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Lord Jesus,
ALL Save us. We confess we praise you with our lips and mock you with our actions. We, too, like Peter, proclaim You are Christ and then live like You are not enough. Satisfy us Lord. Purify us. We long to follow You with all of our hearts. Keep us faithful by the power of Your Holy Spirit. We surrender all to You. Amen
Pastor: Jesus loves you. He came down to earth in a lowly place, humbling Himself for you. He walked the Earth fully man and fully God, so He could be with you and know you. He loves you. He suffered rejection, insults, lies, and persecution to the point of death, for you. He desires for you to come fully to Him today. You have been forgiven of all your sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 50:4-9
The Servant of the Lord has settled his heart on enduring through any trial the world or evil may throw his way. We are given a picture of sheer obedience; a foreshadowing of the most sacrificial act of service, the work on the cross. We are called to endure with steadfast hearts as we entrust all to our Sovereign Lord.
4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. 5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark,
who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.
