Description
Mark 9:38-50
Jesus’ disciples saw someone casting out demons in His name and tried to stop him, but Jesus corrected the disciples, affirming that whoever is not against them is for them. Jesus emphasized the seriousness of causing others to stumble, urging radical removal of anything causing sin. He taught about saltiness and the necessity of peace among believers. Like His disciples, we are called to be salty and live at peace with one another.
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
Welcome friends to our gathering. We come together in peace and unity to praise the Lord.
Worshipers
We praise the Lord!
Time of Praise and Worship
Soul on Fire
Brenton Brown, David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee, Matt Maher, Tai Anderson, © Songs From The Quarry (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
At Your Name
Phil Wickham & Tim Hughes, ©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Salt and Light
Jan L’Ecuyer & John L’Ecuyer, ©2002 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
[Traditional Options]
Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise
BH 75 65; EH 345; ELW 534; HWC 604; HFG 519; LBW 262; LSB 917; LW 221; NCH 80; PH 539; WC 835; UMH 663; WAR 711; WHM 321; WIS 509
Lord, Take My Hand, and Lead Me
ELW 767; LBW 333; LSB 722; LW 512
Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways
ELW 772; LBW 480; LSB 707; LW 392
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
As James states, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”
Worshipers
We sing praises to the King!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Holy Lord, You are worthy of all of our praise. We love You and are grateful that You are already in our midst. We welcome the Holy Spirit with open hearts to do Your holy work in us.
Worshipers
May we not lose our saltiness. Keep our hearts and motives pure. May our praises be pleasing to You, Lord. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious God, we come before you humbly, acknowledging our need for Your forgiveness and mercy.
Worshipers
Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Lord, when we fail to recognize your work in unexpected places and through unexpected people.
Worshipers
Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Father, when we lose our saltiness, when our witness grows weak and our actions do not reflect Your love.
Worshipers
Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Jesus, when we cause others to stumble by our words or actions.
Worshipers
Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Renew us, Holy Spirit, and restore our saltiness, that we may be instruments of Your peace and bearers of Your love to the world.
Worshipers
Lord, hear our prayer.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray.
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
The Israelites complained about their diet in the wilderness, prompting Moses to ask God for help. God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders to share the burden of leadership, and the Spirit was bestowed upon them, including Eldad and Medad, who prophesied despite not being present at the gathering.
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? 13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” 16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you.
24 So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. 26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
