Description
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
In the presence of Pharisees and sinners, Jesus shared the parable of the lost son, who went away and foolishly lived a selfish life leaving him with no friends, no money, and no food. In shame, the son returned with his head hanging low. But his loving father, who was waiting in anticipation for his return, undignifiedly ran to meet his beloved son, greeting him with kisses. He clothed his son in fine clothes, prepared a celebratory meal, and welcomed him home. The older brother felt much different and didn’t understand why such a celebration was taking place for his foolish brother. His father explained that he was once dead, but was now alive again! We can pick out the similarities between the Pharisees and the older brother, the lost son and the sinner, and we can imagine ourselves much like these characters or perhaps the Father. Either way, we are reminded that Jesus extends an invitation into the Kingdom family to the Pharisees and the sinners, and we should imitate the Father’s heart, extending our arms open to those who are willing to return to the Lord.
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
This is Amazing Grace
Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, & Phil Wickham, ©2012 Bethel Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Warner Chappell Music (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
Reckless Love
Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson, © 2017 Watershed Publishing Group (Admin. by Watershed Music Group) Bethel Music Publishing, Richmond Park Publishing
Who You Say I Am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan, © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
BH75 12,13; BH 91 15, 18; CH 11; CHH 16; EH 686; ELW 807; HS98 876; HWC 2; HPW 4; HFG 318; HLC 28; HGP 9; HSP 16; LBW 499; LWB 686; NCH 459; PH 356; RH 11; STTL 51; WC 45; UMH 400; WAR 68; WHM 30; WIS 62
I Will Sing My Maker’s Praises
LSB 9 The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
BH 75 215; CH 683; EH 645/646; ELW 502; HWC 468; HLC 46; LBW 456; LSB 709; LW 412; NCH 248; PH 171/174; UMH 138; WIS 425
77; LW 439
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
BH 75 213; BH 91 61; CH 688; CHH 558; EH 708; ELW 799; HWC 462; HPW 53; HFG 601; HLC 321; HGP 369; LBW 481; LSB 711; NCH 252; PH 387; RH 611; STTL 578; WC 522; UMH 381; WAR 440; WHM 542; WIS 489
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome and greetings in the name of the loving Lord, Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
We request the Lord’s favor and presence.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let everyone and everything that has breath- praise the Lord!
Worshipers
Praise the Lord!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, we are Your children. We enter Your presence as sons and daughters. We are just vessels ready for You to use as You see fit.
Worshipers
We are Yours.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Renew our hearts and minds right now as we begin this time of worship. Align our hearts and minds to Yours. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Great and mysterious is the Father’s love for His children.
Worshipers
His love knows no bounds.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Even as sinners, we are welcomed.
Worshipers
Father, forgive us of our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Through Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to the perfect Father.
Worshipers
Jesus is perfect and unblemished, and He was made to be sin for us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Because of Christ, we have become the righteousness of God!
Worshipers
We don’t deserve this act of love. We praise the Lord for He is a good, forgiving Father. Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Joshua 5:9-12
The Israelites celebrated the Passover while camped at Gilgal. Soon, the manna would disappear, and they would eat the produce of the Promised Land.
9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day. 10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.
