Description
John 5:1-9
This week we learn of how Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. This disabled man has been waiting and waiting for healing but was unable to obtain it by climbing into the Pool of Bethesda at the right time. Jesus meets him and asks him if he wants to get well. On the surface, it seems like a stupid question… of course he wants to get well. But upon closer inspection, this man complains about others making it into the pool ahead of him. After 38 years, you would think he would have figured out how to make it in before someone else. Perhaps he had become so accustomed to his disability that it defined his life and he never truly sought healing and restoration. Sometimes, we get so used to our sickness that it becomes our identity. Christ wishes to free us from that so that we may live as healed, complete, and forgiven people.
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
All Because of Jesus
Steve Fee, ©2007 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Six Steps BMI Designee (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Come To The Cross
Leeland Mooring | Matt Bronleewe | Michael W. Smith, © 2006 Word Music, LLC | Smittyfly Music | Meaux Mercy | Woodland Creatures Need Music Too | Windswept Music (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Indescribable
Laura Story, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Gleaning Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
O Bless The Lord My Soul
EH 411; LBW 538; LSB 814; LW 457; WC 71
Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand
LSB 564
Lead Me, Guide Me
CHH 583; ELW 768; LSB 721; TFWS 2214; WAR 496
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor: O Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning with praise and adoration of your holy name.
ALL: Hear us, Almighty God.
Pastor: You bring light and life to all, and have risen with healing in your wings.
ALL: Hear us, Almighty God.
Pastor: Even when we wallow in the mire of our own sin, you still reach out to us, and wash us clean through your Son’s precious blood.
ALL: Hear us, Almighty God.
Pastor: You have anointed us, set your seal of ownership on us, and put your Spirit in our hearts as a deposit. You have made us yours.
ALL: Hear us, Almighty God.
Pastor: We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Hear us, Almighty God. Amen.
Pastor Precious Lord, we thank and praise you for all of the mighty acts that you have done for us. Your ways are better than our ways, and we delight in your unconditional love you have for us. We are thankful that you desire to heal us and make us well; to make us whole and complete through the promise of your word. You have fulfilled what you have said by sending your only-begotten Son to die and gloriously rise again, so that we who believe can pick up our mats and walk the sanctified path of righteousness. May the wondrous gift of your grace be and abide by us all. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
ALL Amen!
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: O most merciful God. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.
ALL: Lord, please have mercy on us.
Pastor: We lay about in our sin, accustomed to our ugly surroundings, allowing it to define who we are.
ALL: Lord, please have mercy on us.
Pastor: You ask us if we want to be well, yet we come up with excuse after excuse to reject you and stay shrouded in sin.
ALL: Lord, please have mercy on us.
Pastor: You know the burden of our sins. We lay them down at your feet and cry out for your undeserved mercy.
(pause for silent reflection)
Pastor: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). As a called an ordained servant of the word, I announce the grace of God to all of you. In His stead and by the command of Christ Jesus, I declare your sins have been forgiven. May the mercy poured out by our righteous and everlasting God restore us and renew us, now and forever.
ALL: Amen! Hallelujah!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading: Acts 16:9-15
Paul receives a vision from God about a mystery man of Macedonia. We watch as Paul is obedient to the direction God gives to him that ultimately leads him to a woman named Lydia. Her heart is opened to Paul’s message of the love of God and she and her household believe and are baptized.
9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
